Are You Mineral Deficient?

In an ideal world, we would get what we require from our food. Unfortunately, the mineral content of food has decreased substantially in the last 50 to 70 years. This is due primarily to over-farming methods and unsustainable land use.

A study in The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, July 2005 by White and Broadley showed a significant reduction in nutrients in food tested from the 1930s, 1980s, and 2004. This study used data collected from the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Minerals are essential for all of the life-giving processes in our bodies. Unfortunately, most people have some form of mineral deficiency. Our genetics, toxicity, and microbiome imbalances all play a role in determining whether we absorb certain minerals or require a certain form to absorb them properly.

The average person is not aware of the importance of the correct mineral form for proper bioavailability and that each person can require a different form of a mineral. In other words, one person might require magnesium citrate or magnesium malate, while someone else might require magnesium glycinate. If you are taking the incompatible form of a mineral, it may not be penetrating the cell and correcting a deficiency. Muscle testing can determine the correct mineral form necessary for a person.

In my practice, the most common deficiencies that patients present with are magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron, and iodine. Numerous symptoms are common when one has a mineral deficiency. The following is a list of certain minerals and their function in the body and possible symptoms from a deficiency.

Magnesium

A magnesium deficiency can cause confusion, twitching of muscles, fatigue, delirium, spasm and rigidity, heart irregularities, digestive disorders, and emotional imbalances. Almonds, walnuts, spinach, and fish are good sources of magnesium. It’s important for over 300 biochemical processes in the body. It supports enzymes for carbohydrate metabolism and the synthesis of heme in hemoglobin, which helps to bring oxygen to the cells.

Magnesium is involved in many cellular processes, including the production of cellular energy, maintenance of our DNA, protein production, cell growth and death, and for immune factors. It is needed for parathyroid hormone production, which regulates blood calcium levels. The TRPM6 gene determines how much magnesium is absorbed from the gut. Magnesium is important for the relaxation of our muscles.

Zinc

A zinc deficiency can manifest as poor immune function, prostate problems, limited growth, improper acid levels in the stomach, sinus issues, skin, hair, and nail imbalances, and glutathione imbalances. Pumpkin seeds, nuts, and shellfish are good sources of zinc.

It’s important for the immune system, including the TH1 immune response and T reg cells. It decreases oxidative stress, maintains membrane barrier integrity, limits the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulates blood sugar. In addition, zinc helps with wound healing, prostate balancing, and the transfer of carbon dioxide from the tissue to the lungs.

Selenium

Selenium has antiviral activity and antioxidant boosting properties. It is important in male fertility as it aids in healthy sperm function. It is found in Brazil nuts, but it should be harvested from the eastern part of Brazil for a high selenium content. Watercress, wheatgrass, and lemongrass are other sources of selenium. It’s important for the immune system and helps to maintain glutathione. It plays a strong role in thyroid health since it is a conversion co-factor for thyroid hormones.

Iron

A deficiency in iron can result in a weakened immune system, fatigue, brain fog, and hair loss. Red meat, dandelion, thyme, and red clover are good sources of iron. It’s important for the formation of hemoglobin, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. It helps with brain development and the production of collagen and other proteins.

Iodine

A deficiency can cause hormonal imbalances, especially in women, a weakened immune response, and thyroid imbalances. Seaweeds like kelp and alaria, cinnamon, cardamon, rosemary, black walnut, and pineapple are all good sources of iodine. It’s important for making thyroxine for the thyroid, balances estriol and estrone ( estrogens), supports immune system activation, protects the thyroid from radiation, and helps to balance secretions in the body.

Sodium

Sodium is probably the most misunderstood mineral. In April 2022, the Sodium-Hf trial provided evidence on the contrary to many people’s perceptions of salt intake and low salt diets. The authors concluded, as published in The Lancet, “In ambulatory patients with heart failure, a dietary intervention to reduce sodium intake did not reduce clinical events.”

Sodium has been thought to be one cause of high blood pressure, but in actuality, it is more closely related to the sodium/potassium ratio. The right kind of salt impacts the health effects on the body. Table salt is not a healthy choice. However, Celtic sea salt or pink Himalayan sea salt are two healthy options for salt intake. A pinch of Celtic sea salt in water in the mid to late afternoon can be helpful to support the adrenal glands.

Many mineral deficiencies do not show up in blood work or are not checked with the correct blood markers. It’s not uncommon for a person to have a mineral deficiency, but their blood work will show it to be in the normal range. Iron deficiency may not show up in the generalized iron blood work but may show up in the ferritin marker, which more accurately represents stored iron in the body.

Whenever you get blood work, make sure that you ask for your ferritin value. A low value or high value can be an imbalance. Anywhere between 50 to 120 is considered an optimal range.

About the Author

Dr. Louis Granirer is a leading NY Holistic Chiropractor who specializes in finding natural remedies for chronic and severe illness. Learn more by visiting his website at www.HolisticChiropracticCenter.com