Mineral Supplements
|
Mineral Supplements are important to many womens health issues. Minerals can assist the body in proper nutrition, normal cell function, and healthy composition of bones and tissues.
However, as your doctor will tell you, it is not a good idea to ingest unusually high mega-quantities of individual minerals. Taking a complete, daily multi-vitamin that includes minerals in a balanced formula is the recommended way to support women's health issues and dietary concerns.
Calcium Supplements: - 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.
Magnesium:
The mineral Magnesium assists the body in absorption of calcium, so the two are usually taken together. 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 JW, Nutritional factors in the premenstrual syndrome. Int Clin Nutr Rev 4, 54-81, 1984. Facchinetti F, et al., Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes. Obstet Gynecol 78, 177-181, 1991.)
Processed foods have lost much of their magnesium content. 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 womens health issue.
(Cohen L, Kitzes R. Infrared spectroscopy and magnesium content of bone mineral in osteoporotic women. Isr J Med Sci 1981;17:1123-5.)
Potassium:
This important mineral is believed to help lower blood pressure. It is also being studied for it's role in helping to prevent stroke, which is the number one debilitating illness of our time. 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. Taking certain diuretic products can cause a depletion of potassium. Most daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplements contain potassium.
(MacGregor SA, et al., Moderate potassium supplementation in essential hypertension. Lancet ii, 567-570, 1982. Khaw KT and Barrett-Connor E, Dietary potassium and stroke-associated mortality. N Engl J Med 316, 235-240, 1987.)
Boron:
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. Some calcium mineral supplements also contain boron.
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 RE. Arthritis or skeletal fluorosis and boron. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1991;11:68-70 [letter]). de Fabio A. Treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1990 Feb-Mar:143-8.)
Selenium:
Older patients who used Selenium were found to have reduced frequency of cancers when followed over a 6.4 years long study. A low level of selenium in the blood may be a factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. A study of 87 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that those with the disease had lower selenium levels than healthy individuals.
In a small double-blind trial, women with rheumatoid arthritis were given selenium mineral supplements or a placebo every day for three months. 75% of those taking the selenium experienced a significant reduction in pain and joint inflammation, whereas there was no significant improvement in the placebo group. This does not mean Selenium is a cure of any kind. However your doctor may advise you that that taking the recommended daily allowance of this and other mineral supplements is a very good idea.
(Journal of the American Medical Association 276, no.24: Dec.25, 1996. Tarp U, Overvad K, Hansen JC, Thorling EB. Low selenium level in severe rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 1985;14:97-101. Peretz A, Neve J, Duchateau J, Famaey JP. Adjuvant treatment of recent onset rheumatoid arthritis by selenium supplementation: preliminary observations [letter]. Br J Rheumatol 1992;31:281-2.)
Zinc:
This mineral 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. A recent report claimed that seventy percent of Americans may not be getting the recommended daily minimum of zinc. However it is not a good idea to ingest 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. Top quality daily multi-vitamin-mineral supplements should give you all the zinc you need.
(Fraker PJ, Gershwin ME, Good RA, Prasad A. Interrelationships between zinc and immune function. Fed Proc 1986;45:1474-9. Tuormaa TE, Adverse effect of zinc deficiency: A review from the literature. J Orthomol Med 10, 149-162, 1995.)
Dietary 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.
Copper:
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. Do not take large mega-doses of copper mineral supplements without asking your doctor.
As with zinc and iron, don't over do it. High daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplements will supply enough copper for most women's health needs.
(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.)
Chromium:
Chromium is a trace mineral that effects 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. Chromium mineral supplements have become a hot topic in regard to women's health issues.
(Mertz W, Chromium in human nutrition: A review. J Nutr 123, 626-633, 1993. 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.)
Manganese:
This mineral plays a role in the function of enzymes which involve energy metabolism, glucose metabolism and control of blood sugar. Animal studies indicate that a deficiency in manganese can interfere with proper metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. When guinea pigs received a diet deficient in manganese they developed diabetes.
Diabetics may want to talk to their doctor about taking daily mineral supplements because many diabetics only have 50% of the manganese in their system that healthy bodies do.
(Keen CL and Zidenberg-Cherr S, Manganese. In: Present Knowledge in Nutrition, 6th Edition. Brown ML (ed.). International Life Sciences Institute, Washington, DC 1990, pp. 279-286. Mooradian AD, and Morley JE, Micronutrient status in diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr 45, 877-895, 1987. Manganese and glucose tolerance. Nutr Rev 26, 207-210, 1968.)
Mineral supplements are important for a variety of women's health issues. Take a balanced multi-vitamin and mineral formula every day.
One high quality product that contains a measured daily dose of minerals is Xtend-Life’s Total Balance that is made especially for women. Our endless quality comparisons of various products has given us many reasons to believe that Total Balance is the best overall quality nutritional supplement. It also contains many of the most beneficial herbs on this entire website.
Total Balance Women's Plus is a natural comprehensive supplement that contains minerals a woman needs. It provides a broad range of synergistic nutrients known to enhance overall health.
It contains dozens of the nutrients that are documented on this site. The scientifically chosen formula includes vitamins and co-factors, essential minerals, amino acids, standardized herbal extracts, digestive enzymes, heart health herbs, specialty nutrients and immunity support ingredients.
These are standardized extracts with a pharmaceutical grade enteric coating and are free of any fillers and are guaranteed to contain exactly what is stated on the label. These are made in a facility that follows rigorous manufacturing requirements that far exceed U.S. FDA standards.
The editors of this website have been personally taking this product, along with their famous pure fish oil, with excellent results.
When we take these products we notice that we have more energy during the day and we sleep better at night. We feel less stressed, more mentally focused and we enjoy an overall feeling of healthy well being.
Or if you are pregnant or experiencing early signs of pregnancy symptoms be sure to take some good quality pre-natal vitamins that are recommended by your doctor.
Notice / Disclaimer: All content of this website is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Nutritional and dietary supplements are not medications, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. This website does not provide medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always contact your doctor if you feel you need medical advice or treatment. To avoid any potential for interactions with medicines or side effects, be sure to consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care providers about any dietary supplements you plan to take. Dietary supplements are to be used in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, a balanced, healthy diet and lifestyle.
The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. Always talk to your Doctor before taking any kind of supplement.
Return to womens health home page.