Calcium
is the number one mineral in the body. A deficiency in calcium is
thought to contribute to osteoporosis, cramps, irritability of nerves
and muscles, and insomnia.
The mineral Magnesium
assists the body in absorption of calcium. Magnesium also assists in
enzyme reactions, energy production, neuro-muscular contraction and
protein synthesis. Chronic fatigue, muscle cramping and PMS can be
caused by a deficiency of magnesium. Women with PMS have been found to
have lower levels of magnesium in their red blood cells. Some studies
suggest that magnesium mineral supplements may help relieve a variety of
premenstrual symptoms (Piesse, 1984; Facchinetti, et al., 1991).
Older
women may be lower on magnesium. Many women take calcium mineral
supplements but completely miss out on their need for magnesium. Tests
show that women who suffer from osteoporosis have less magnesium in
their bones than women with strong bones. A combination mineral
supplement containing both calcium and magnesium would help improve this
women’s health issue (Cohen and Kitzes, 1981).
Potassium
mineral is believed to help lower blood pressure and prevents stroke.
Orange juice and bananas are good sources of potassium. Potassium helps
regulate the body's water balance and is also necessary for normalized
heart rhythms, muscle contraction and nerve impulses (MacGregor, et al.,
1982; Khaw and Barrett-Connor, 1987).
Boron
is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy muscle and joint
tissue. Boron is known for its role in helping to prevent or slow the
effects of osteoporosis. Epidemiologic studies show that people in
countries with low amounts of boron in the soil often have
osteoarthritis. Boron may also encourage cartilage repair and synthesis.
One open trial demonstrated that daily boron supplementation caused
some symptom remission in 90 percent of arthritis patients studied
including people with osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (Newnham,
1991; de Fabio, 1991).
Zinc is found in
every cell in the body and is believed to play a key role in the immune
system. Zinc is also important to sexual function, wound healing, skin
health and the sensory functions of vision, taste and smell. However it
is not a good idea to consume unusually high mega-quantities of zinc
mineral supplements, hoping to fight off the common cold. Research done
at the USDA Nutrition Center at Tufts University suggested the
possibility that mega doses of zinc might actually inhibit immune
response. So while zinc is important to women's health issues, don't
overdo it (Fraker, 1986; Tuormaa, 1995).
Iron
is an important mineral to healthy functioning of red blood cells. It
is vital to the transport of oxygen throughout the body and to the
function of enzymes. The most common nutritional deficiency is iron
deficiency.
A small amount of copper is a
required cofactor for the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which plays a role in
the cross-linking and strengthening of connective tissue. This could be
important to joint support. Too much copper can cause problems for some
women. High daily multivitamin and mineral supplements will supply
enough copper for most women's health needs (DiSilvestro, Marten and
Skehan, 1992).
Chromium is a trace
mineral that affects blood sugar control. Chromium works together with
insulin and is necessary for the proper functioning of insulin. Insulin
plays a major role in the metabolism of sugar and is involved in the
body's use of protein and fat. Recently, Chromium has been studied for
the promotion of weight loss and lean muscle gain. Chromium levels can
be depleted by over indulgence in foods containing refined flour and
sugar (Mertz, 1993; Katts, Ficher, and Blum, 1984). Chromium mineral
supplements have become a hot topic in regard to women's health issues.
Mineral
supplements are important for a variety of women's health issues. Take a
balanced mineral formula every day. Drinking 20 drops of CMD 2x a day
in a glass of water, with proper diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle
may help boost immunity and resistance against sickness.
References:
- Cohen L, Kitzes R. Infrared spectroscopy and magnesium content of bone mineral in osteoporotic women. Isr J Med Sci 1981;17:1123-5.
- DiSilvestro RA, Marten J, Skehan M. Effects of copper supplementation on ceruloplasmin and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase in free-living rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Am Coll Nutr 1992;11:177-80.
- de Fabio A. Treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1990 Feb-Mar:143-8.
- Facchinetti F, et al., Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes. Obstet Gynecol 78, 177-181, 1991.
- Fraker PJ, Gershwin ME, Good RA, Prasad A. Interrelationships between zinc and immune function. Fed Proc 1986;45:1474-9.
- Katts GR, Ficher JA, and Blum K, The effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition in different age groups. Age 14, 307-310, 1984.
- Khaw KT and Barrett-Connor E, Dietary potassium and stroke-associated mortality. N Engl J Med 316, 235-240, 1987.
- MacGregor SA, et al., Moderate potassium supplementation in essential hypertension. Lancet ii, 567-570, 1982.
- Mertz W, Chromium in human nutrition: A review. J Nutr 123, 626-633, 1993.
- Newnham RE. Arthritis or skeletal fluorosis and boron. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1991;11:68-70.
- Piesse JW, Nutritional factors in the premenstrual syndrome. Int Clin Nutr Rev 4, 54-81, 1984.
- Tuormaa TE, Adverse effect of zinc deficiency: A review from the literature. J Orthomol Med 10, 149-162, 1995.
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