This section contains a brief overview of the main minerals involved in nutrition, discussing their roles in the body and some nutritional sources.

Synergy of Nutrients

It is important to recognize that in nature all nutrients are found collectively packaged together and work synergistically. There is no article of food such as fruits or vegetables which come only possessing one mineral or vitamin. An orange doesn’t only contain vitamin C for example. It contains thousands of nutrient chemicals form which science only understands very little about. The nutritional benefits of food therefore cannot be replaced by manufactured supplementation. Although supplements can offer therapeutic benefits in the process of healing, they should never be regarded as a source of nutrition. It would be impossible to gather all the ingredients of an orange a squash them into a pill. But our Creator has successfully squashed all these amazing nutrients into an orange, with orange natural flavouring to top it off.

Another important principle when considering nutrition is that raw, fresh food is alive instead of being dead. Manufactured Supplements are dead, it doesn’t matter how much fertilizer you put on top of them, you are not going to get an apple tree out of it. food on the other hand contain living organisms such as enzymes which generate living chemical reactions. These living nutrients are essential for our bodies because we are living beings. When considering nutrition therefore the best approach is to contain an abundant variety of fresh raw organic foods in ones diet.

Mighty Minerals

Calcium

Calcium is the most abundant mineral within the body. It is renowned for its association with bone and teeth health and strength. Around 97% of the body’s total calcium is used in the development of bone tissue. The rest of the calcium is then used to assist the body with muscular movements, nervous system function and cardiovascular repair.

Calcium food sources have been a source of contention for sometime now. Even though dairy foods are good sources of calcium their metabolic load which they place upon the body during their digestion places a lot of acidic load upon the body. For this reason researches have observed a high level of calcium urine excretion for those who consume dairy products. This can lead to a negative balance, that is you may lose more of your own calcium through the urine than you are actually absorbing from the dairy food.

Calcium Sources: (the figures below are averages – mg per 100g)

• Kelp – 1000
• Cheese – 800
• Carob Flour – 350
• Dulse – 290
• Almonds – 225
• Parsley – 200
• Tofu – 130
• Sunflower seeds – 120
• Broccoli – 100
• Sesame seeds – 100

Magnesium

Magnesium is another commonly known mineral found within the body. Magnesium is used in the body to perform literally hundreds of enzymatic reactions. This mineral is used extensively in creating cellular energy and modulating muscular contractions. It is involved in pumping nutrients in and out of cells and the metabolic digestion of food. Muscle tissue contains around a third of all body magnesium, with the bones containing nearly two thirds. Magnesium is an important nutrient for the heart and good levels of magnesium within the body can prevent fatalities in heart attacks and also aid in tissue repair and recovery for heart attacks.

Magnesium Sources: (the figures below are averages – mg per 100g)

• Kelp – 750
• Wheat Bran – 500
• Almonds – 250
• Cashews – 260
• Molasses – 250
• Brazil Nuts – 225
• Buckwheat – 220
• Millet – 160
• Tofu – 110
• Dates – 50
• Avocado – 45

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is used by the body to assist with numerous functions. It is involved in protecting bone and teeth density and strength. Phosphorus also plays an important role in the metabolic process of the body. The body uses phosphorus as a source of energy and is the second most abundant mineral in the body after calcium.

Phosphorus Sources: (the figures below are averages – mg per 100g)

• Brewers Yeast – 1700
• Wheat bran – 1200
• Pumpkin Seeds – 1100
• Sunflower seeds – 800
• Brazil Nuts – 600
• Soybeans – 500
• Almonds – 500
• Millet – 300
• Garlic – 200
• Lentils – 100

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral especially for men. Zinc is concentrated within the male prostate in the male body and plays an integral part in maintaining male sexual function. Zinc is involved in regulating the immune system and chronic immune ailments can be linked to zinc deficiencies. Zinc competes with copper for absorption and either deficiencies or excess can affect the balance between these two minerals.

Zinc Sources: (the figures below are averages – mg per 100mg)

• Ginger 7
• Pecans 4.5
• Dry split peas 4.2
• Brazil Nuts 4.2
• Whole Wheat 3.2
• Rye 3.2
• Oats 3.2
• Walnuts 3
• Parsley 1
• Potatoes 1

Iodine

Iodine is predominantly used in the body to manufacture thyroxine. Thyroxine is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroxine is used to govern the body’s metabolic rate and therefore extremely important in maintaining ones energy reserves. Women over the age of 30 years have a tendency to develop under-active thyroid activity and therefore should ensure that they are receiving a needed dietary supply of iodine.

Iodine Sources: (the figures below are averages – mcg per 100mg)

• Kelp – 500
• Pineapple – 16
• Eggs – 14
• Peanuts – 11
• Whole wheat – 11
• Lettuce – 10
• Spinach – 9
• Green Peppers – 9
• Raisins – 3

Iron

Iron is found in the body as part of the hemoglobin. It is involved in the transportation of oxygen around the blood, to every tissue. Iron is also involved in maintaining good immunity and collagen synthesis. Women are predominantly prone to becoming iron deficient due to the menstrual cycle of blood loss. Iron is one of the most poorly absorbed minerals and therefore deficiencies can be quite common.

Iron Sources: (the figures below are averages – mg per 100mg)

• Kelp – 100
• Brewers Yeast – 18
• Molasses – 16
• Pumpkin Seeds – 11
• Sunflower seeds – 7
• Millet – 7
• Parsley – 6.5
• Almonds – 6
• Beet Greens – 3.5
• Dates – 3
• Lentils – 2.5