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The Role Of Minerals In Human Nutrition (view source)
Revision as of 00:34, 3 April 2021
, 00:34, 3 April 2021→Other Minerals
These minerals, often called “trace minerals,” will usually be found in sufficient quantities in diets which contain adequate amounts of the major minerals. Like the major minerals, all requirements of the trace minerals are supplied in a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts.
These minerals, often called “trace minerals,” will usually be found in sufficient quantities in diets which contain adequate amounts of the major minerals. Like the major minerals, all requirements of the trace minerals are supplied in a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts.
=== Organic And Inorganic Minerals ===
==== The Differences in Mineral Forms ====
Most knowledgeable people today recognize that the body must have certain miner- als to accomplish its work and preserve its health. However, only a few realize that these minerals must be in their organic state to do us any good at all.
Most knowledgeable people today recognize that the body must have certain miner- als to accomplish its work and preserve its health. However, only a few realize that these minerals must be in their organic state to do us any good at all.
# Only plants can transform inorganic minerals into organic minerals.
# Only plants can transform inorganic minerals into organic minerals.
# Animals must eat plants or plant-eating animals to obtain their organic minerals.
# Animals must eat plants or plant-eating animals to obtain their organic minerals.
# Inorganic minerals are useless and injurious to the animal organism. 10.3.2 How the Confusion Began Because inorganic minerals and organic minerals have the same chemical compo- sitions, they were confused by the early nutritionists. The mineral, iron, in the blood- stream has the same chemical composition as the mineral, iron, in a nail—iron is iron, after all. However, these nutritionists incorrectly reasoned that there were no other dif- ferences between these two forms of iron. As a consequence, there actually were iron mineral supplements that consisted of surplus powdered nails. Perhaps you have heard the expression, “mad enough to chew nails.” In this case, mad or unbalanced is certainly the correct word. These nutritionists made an error in reasoning by assuming that a chemical similarity in minerals also meant there was a nutritive similarity between organic and inorganic minerals. While it is true that the same minerals found in the human body are also found in the soil and water it is wrong to assume that the minerals in the soil are food for man. We are not soil eaters—we are plant eaters. It is necessary that the minerals in the soil be elaborated into organic compounds by the plant before they can be |assimilated by the body. The various mineral compounds
# Inorganic minerals are useless and injurious to the animal organism.
produced by the chemist differ in their structure and in the relative positions of their component molecules than those produced in the plant.
==== How the Confusion Began ====
Because inorganic minerals and organic minerals have the same chemical compo- sitions, they were confused by the early nutritionists. The mineral, iron, in the blood- stream has the same chemical composition as the mineral, iron, in a nail—iron is iron, after all. However, these nutritionists incorrectly reasoned that there were no other dif- ferences between these two forms of iron. As a consequence, there actually were iron mineral supplements that consisted of surplus powdered nails.
Perhaps you have heard the expression, “mad enough to chew nails.” In this case, mad or unbalanced is certainly the correct word.
These nutritionists made an error in reasoning by assuming that a chemical similarity in minerals also meant there was a nutritive similarity between organic and inorganic minerals. While it is true that the same minerals found in the human body are also found in the soil and water it is wrong to assume that the minerals in the soil are food for man.
We are not soil eaters—we are plant eaters.
It is necessary that the minerals in the soil be elaborated into organic compounds by the plant before they can be |assimilated by the body. The various mineral compounds produced by the chemist differ in their structure and in the relative positions of their component molecules than those produced in the plant.
Over sixty years ago a German scientist named Abderhalden conducted a series of experiments comparing how several species absorbed different forms of iron. He found that animals fed with food poor in iron, plus in addition of inorganic iron, were unable in the long run to produce as much hemoglobin as those, receiving a natural iron-sufficient diet.
Over sixty years ago a German scientist named Abderhalden conducted a series of experiments comparing how several species absorbed different forms of iron. He found that animals fed with food poor in iron, plus in addition of inorganic iron, were unable in the long run to produce as much hemoglobin as those, receiving a natural iron-sufficient diet.
However, it is a grave error to believe that the body can digest and assimilate and utilize powdered nails and crushed rocks.
However, it is a grave error to believe that the body can digest and assimilate and utilize powdered nails and crushed rocks.
==== Mineral Supplements ====
The idea of administering inorganic minerals as foods and remedies for man started with the German scientist Hensel in the early twentieth century. Later the homeopaths expanded upon his idea and made numerous artificial mineral preparations called cell salts, which are still sold today as popular “cures” for mineral deficiencies. Today min- eral supplements exist in many forms and come from many sources. They are all useless.
The idea of administering inorganic minerals as foods and remedies for man started with the German scientist Hensel in the early twentieth century. Later the homeopaths expanded upon his idea and made numerous artificial mineral preparations called cell salts, which are still sold today as popular “cures” for mineral deficiencies. Today min- eral supplements exist in many forms and come from many sources. They are all useless.
Minerals must be consumed in their natural, unfragmented and organic state to be of any use to the body. The best mineral supplements are those naturally occurring in mineral-rich foods in their unprocessed state—fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts.
Minerals must be consumed in their natural, unfragmented and organic state to be of any use to the body. The best mineral supplements are those naturally occurring in mineral-rich foods in their unprocessed state—fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts.
==== Mineral Waters ====
Like mineral supplements, mineral waters cannot provide any beneficial minerals to the body. Any minerals contained in such waters are inorganic and must be expelled by the body. Should an excess of these inorganic minerals be consumed in the water, the body cannot rid itself of them fast enough and they are deposited within the body.
Like mineral supplements, mineral waters cannot provide any beneficial minerals to the body. Any minerals contained in such waters are inorganic and must be expelled by the body. Should an excess of these inorganic minerals be consumed in the water, the body cannot rid itself of them fast enough and they are deposited within the body.
These inorganic mineral deposits lead to kidney and gallstone formation, hardening of the arteries, arthritis, heart trouble, ossification of the brain and other serious diseases. The unexpelled mineral matter from mineral-containing waters combines with choles-
These inorganic mineral deposits lead to kidney and gallstone formation, hardening of the arteries, arthritis, heart trouble, ossification of the brain and other serious diseases. The unexpelled mineral matter from mineral-containing waters combines with cholesterol to form plaques. These plaques lead to cardiovascular problems, and they join with uric acid to cause arthritic and rheumatic complaints.
The body cells can use only pure (distilled) water—such as that found in fruits and plants—and they reject all inorganic minerals consumed in mineral-laden waters.
The body cells can use only pure (distilled) water—such as that found in fruits and plants—and they reject all inorganic minerals consumed in mineral-laden waters.
Sea water is our “richest” mineral water, yet it is poisonous. Similarly, all other min- eralized waters are simply dirty waters, contaminated with inorganic matter which is pathogenic to the body.
Sea water is our “richest” mineral water, yet it is poisonous. Similarly, all other min- eralized waters are simply dirty waters, contaminated with inorganic matter which is pathogenic to the body.
==== How Inorganic Minerals Are Transformed ====
Even plants, when in their embryonic state, cannot use inorganic minerals in the soil, but instead feed on the organic compounds contained within its seed. Not until its roots and leave? are grown can a plant utilize the inorganic minerals of the soil.
Even plants, when in their embryonic state, cannot use inorganic minerals in the soil, but instead feed on the organic compounds contained within its seed. Not until its roots and leave? are grown can a plant utilize the inorganic minerals of the soil.
Vital changes occur in all minerals as they pass into the structure of plants. These changes cannot be isolated by normal chemical laboratory processes which destroy liv- ing plant tissues to analyze them. Such crude methods of studying the role of organic minerals in an organism is somewhat akin to the old medical practice of dissecting ca- davers to look for evidence of the human soul.
Vital changes occur in all minerals as they pass into the structure of plants. These changes cannot be isolated by normal chemical laboratory processes which destroy liv- ing plant tissues to analyze them. Such crude methods of studying the role of organic minerals in an organism is somewhat akin to the old medical practice of dissecting ca- davers to look for evidence of the human soul.
=== Mineral Deficiencies ===
So far we have discussed the differences between organic and inorganic minerals and how inorganic minerals cannot be used by the body. Such inorganic mineral forms as supplements and mineral waters are therefore useless in correcting mineral deficiencies. We might now ask what causes a mineral deficiency in the first place.
So far we have discussed the differences between organic and inorganic minerals and how inorganic minerals cannot be used by the body. Such inorganic mineral forms as supplements and mineral waters are therefore useless in correcting mineral deficiencies. We might now ask what causes a mineral deficiency in the first place.
A mineral deficiency only occurs for two reasons: 1) improper diet and 2) inability of the organism to assimilate and use the mineral.
A mineral deficiency only occurs for two reasons: 1) improper diet and 2) inability of the organism to assimilate and use the mineral.
==== Improper Diet as a Cause ====
An improper diet can be defined as the habitual consumption of foods that are in- compatible with our biological heritage, or the eating of usually wholesome foods in a processed state.
An improper diet can be defined as the habitual consumption of foods that are in- compatible with our biological heritage, or the eating of usually wholesome foods in a processed state.
A truly mineral-rich diet, then, should consist of food best suited and natural to the human diet which are consumed as they are found in nature with a minimum of process- ing or preparation.
A truly mineral-rich diet, then, should consist of food best suited and natural to the human diet which are consumed as they are found in nature with a minimum of process- ing or preparation.
==== Metabolic Deficiencies ====
Although an improper diet is usually viewed as the main cause of a mineral deficien- cy, it is also important to realize that a mineral deficiency can occur even when there is an excess of minerals in the diet. Although the minerals may be present, the body, for some reason or other, is unable to digest and assimilate them. In this case, a metabolic deficiency occurs.
Although an improper diet is usually viewed as the main cause of a mineral deficien- cy, it is also important to realize that a mineral deficiency can occur even when there is an excess of minerals in the diet. Although the minerals may be present, the body, for some reason or other, is unable to digest and assimilate them. In this case, a metabolic deficiency occurs.
To allow the body to assimilate and use the minerals in the diet, the individual may need to correct his habits of living. He may need a physical or mental rest or even a com- plete physiological rest which can only happen while fasting.
To allow the body to assimilate and use the minerals in the diet, the individual may need to correct his habits of living. He may need a physical or mental rest or even a com- plete physiological rest which can only happen while fasting.
==== Minerally Deficient Soils ====
One last cause of a mineral deficiency should be noted—not because it is a common cause, but because it may be an important consideration for those people who are at- tempting to grow all their food for self-sufficiency. That cause is: The exclusive con- sumption of foods which are grown on minerally poor soils.
One last cause of a mineral deficiency should be noted—not because it is a common cause, but because it may be an important consideration for those people who are at- tempting to grow all their food for self-sufficiency. That cause is: The exclusive con- sumption of foods which are grown on minerally poor soils.
If the soil itself is minerally deficient, it will be difficult to obtain the minerals we need from the plants grown on that soil. The mineral content of soils in certain locales may be deficient in one or two important minerals. As a result, there can be a wide range of mineral contents in the same variety of food, depending upon the soil in which it was grown. Consider, for example, the variations in these minerals as found in grapes grown in different soils:
If the soil itself is minerally deficient, it will be difficult to obtain the minerals we need from the plants grown on that soil. The mineral content of soils in certain locales may be deficient in one or two important minerals. As a result, there can be a wide range of mineral contents in the same variety of food, depending upon the soil in which it was grown. Consider, for example, the variations in these minerals as found in grapes grown in different soils:
{| class="wikitable"
|Percent ot total Mineral Matter
Grapes Grown on different Soils
|-
|Sodium From 0.29 to 10.54 percent
|-
|Calcium From 1.70 to 22.60 percent
|-
|Iron From 0.05 to 1.68 percent
|}
In this one example you can see how the mineral content of a food can vary up to 35 times, depending upon the soil in which it is grown.
In this one example you can see how the mineral content of a food can vary up to 35 times, depending upon the soil in which it is grown.
People who eat fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds grown n a wide variety of soils rarely have to worry about developing a mineral deficiency because of a single soil de- ficiency. Those people who do grow and eat all their foods from a single soil source should make compost to insure that their soil contains all the essential minerals needed for good health.
People who eat fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds grown n a wide variety of soils rarely have to worry about developing a mineral deficiency because of a single soil de- ficiency. Those people who do grow and eat all their foods from a single soil source should make compost to insure that their soil contains all the essential minerals needed for good health.
=== Obtaining The Minerals We Need ===
10.5.1 All Minerals Present in a Natural Diet
10.5.1 All Minerals Present in a Natural Diet
The first menu is a summer menu and the second is a fall-winter menu. The amounts of each food below were chosen to be the similar amounts an adult woman or man might eat. For increased mineral or nutritive content, the amounts of food eaten could also be increased in accordance with environment, type of work done, physical constitution, etc. All mineral content estimates were made on the conservative side.
The first menu is a summer menu and the second is a fall-winter menu. The amounts of each food below were chosen to be the similar amounts an adult woman or man might eat. For increased mineral or nutritive content, the amounts of food eaten could also be increased in accordance with environment, type of work done, physical constitution, etc. All mineral content estimates were made on the conservative side.
10.5.2 Examples of Mineral Contents of Meals
10.5.2 Examples of Mineral Contents of Meals