Essential Minerals for Optimal Health

Remember the periodic table from chemistry class? Those elements are not just academic—they're essential to our body’s cells. In addition to proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and water, mineral supplements play a crucial role in cellular health. When planning a "clean" or "mindful" eating schedule, be sure to include essential minerals.

Our bodies need two types of minerals: micro and macro. While we require large quantities of macro minerals and only trace amounts of micro minerals, it’s important not to neglect the latter. A healthy diet is generally rich in minerals, but it's still essential to identify their sources to maximize benefits.

Vital minerals include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and sulfur. Calcium and phosphorus form the mineralized structures of our body, such as teeth and bones. Adequate amounts ensure healthy development, while deficiencies can cause bone deformities and compromised bone structure. During teeth development, insufficient amounts can lead to improper tooth structure, increased risk of cavities, fractures, and staining.

Sodium and potassium are crucial for the “message transmission processes” in our nervous system. Deficiencies can disrupt nervous system activities, impairing functions like sensations, cognitive abilities, and muscle movements. Sodium is also critical for maintaining normal blood pressure.

Incorporating these minerals into your meals is not difficult. Sprinkle a small amount of table salt on an omelet or vegetable salad. Drink a glass of milk at night to strengthen your bones or cook a protein-rich meal with meat and legumes topped with nuts.

Trace minerals should not be underestimated. They are important components of blood and various enzymes that produce your body’s proteins. They also regulate critical bodily processes, including cell renewal and repair, taste reception, metabolic processes, detoxification, and blood sugar maintenance.

Be creative with your meals to build a diet rich in minerals, rather than focusing on just one or two. For example, cook a meal with green vegetables like broccoli, sprinkled with sea salt and sea vegetables like kelp or dulse, which are loaded with minerals.

Make minerals a staple of your clean eating plan! My favorite way to ensure my mineral intake is by drinking coconut water daily. Simple and easy. Clean eating and looking younger should not be difficult. Embrace these tips for a healthier you!