THE IMPORTANCE OF MINERALS IN NATURAL HEALING

Many of the Naturopaths of the early 20th century believe that some of the most important nutritional constituents in a healthy diet are minerals and trace elements. The human body is composed of:

• Oxygen 65%

• Carbon 18.5%

• Hydrogen 9.5%

• Nitrogen 3.2%

Approximately 4% of our body weight comes from minerals. Though seemingly a small quantity, they are extremely important in physiological function and the maintenance and homeostasis of every cell and organ in the body. They make up the structure of the body and are important catalysts in the millions of biochemical reactions that take place in every cell and organ every day. Calcium is a major component of bones and teeth. Iron is necessary for oxygen transportation in the blood to the surrounding tissues. Potassium is critical to the function of the heart. Sodium is a necessary component of all cell membranes. Iodine keeps the thyroid gland functioning properly. Without minerals only a few of the millions of biochemical reactions which constitute the material manifestation of our existence on this earth could occur.

The body is made up of the following minerals:

• Calcium 1.5%

• Phosphorus 1%

• Potassium 0.4%

• Sulfur 0.3%

• Sodium 0.2%

• Chlorine 0.2%

• Magnesium 0.1%

• Iodine 0.1%

• Iron 0.1%

The trace minerals compose less than 0.5% of total body weight but are critical as cofactors and catalysts in chemical reactions throughout the body:

• Chromium

• Cobalt

• Copper

• Fluorine

• Manganese

• Molybdenum

• Selenium

• Tin

• Vanadium

• Zinc

Looked at another way, the average human body contains approximately:

• 75 pounds of Oxygen

• 50 pounds of Carbon

• 15 pounds of Hydrogen

• 4 pounds of Calcium

• 3 pounds of Phosphorus

• 3 pounds of Chlorine

• 4 pounds of Calcium

• 6 ounces of Magnesium

• 4 ounces of Sodium

• 2 ounces of Nitrogen

• 5 ounces of Flourine

• 5 ounces of Sulfur

• 5 ounces of Potassium

• 1 ounce of Silicon

• 2 ounces of Iron

• 1/2 ounce of Iodine

• plus trace minerals

The primary source of minerals in our diet is from fruits and vegetables which extract minerals from the soil and render them in the plant form as edible as well as biochemically active. Poor quality soils render foods low in the critical minerals we need for daily functioning as well as structural integrity. (More on healthy soils later).

Each type of tissue, organ and gland concentrates very specific minerals and vitamins that are used to build cellular structures and perform unique metabolic functions as part of our total life system. If a deficiency occurs in the mineral needed by a specific tissue, it will become weak in structure and function. Eating foods which are high in the minerals the weak organ concentrates will replenish the weakened tissue and help to restore health. This important principal of nutritional healing is easy to apply to one’s own diet.

Next week, I will write about an explanation of which organs concentrate which minerals and what foods are highest in each mineral. Note: integrating a daily cup or 2 of broth into your diet (see previous blog post) will help to insure that your mineral needs are met. In future posts, I will share valuable information on which foods contain high levels of minerals that needed to heal your body's organs.