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Minerals ensure the correct development and functioning of the human body. Their optimal intake is important for our lives, and a lack of any of them will become apparent sooner or later. Because they belong to the group of essential inorganic substances, the organism is unable to produce them on its own. The following article discusses how best to deal with a lack of minerals.
Mineral substances occur naturally in food and beverages. However, it sometimes happens that, despite a regular and balanced diet, it is difficult to maintain an optimum level in the body. At this point, most people reach for suitable dietary supplements to correct the deficit.
You can find supplements that contain just one specific mineral, or various combinations with vitamins, and even complete mixes at pharmacies, stores and various internet e-shops. The offer of products is vast indeed, as is the price range.
When choosing the appropriate mineral supplement, it is necessary to keep in mind that the human organism is only capable of accepting minerals from organic compounds.
Natural sources of minerals include, e.g. fruit, vegetables, seafood, fish and other types of meats and various seeds. The green parts of plants contain minerals in organic form, i.e. chelate. This refers to cases when the mineral is bound between two carriers - most commonly amino acids.
Another option is to take in minerals in liquid form - as water with dissolved mineral content (mineral water, spa sources). A common disadvantage of this source is that most of the contained substances are of inorganic origin, meaning they cannot be used by the human body.
An interesting alternative is seawater, whose indisputable benefits are only now being discovered. Seawater can be used for the comprehensive and fast replenishment of organic minerals, which are absorbed more easily by the organism to allow its faster regeneration. It contains most of the elements in the periodic table (all 78 minerals and trace elements), vitamins, carotenoids, fatty acids, polypeptides, organic acids, enzymes, polysaccharides, polyphenols, chlorophyll, natural antibiotics and antifungals. Its composition is much more diverse than even the best artificially produced food supplements can offer.
We are targeted by advertisements for artificial dietary mineral supplements every single day. Their manufacturers try to justify their bombastic claims with high prices. Yet pure seawater offers a very interesting alternative even in this respect. See for yourself.
Name |
Packaging |
Mineral Content |
Price |
MedPharma minerals |
107 tablets |
1 mineral (of choice) |
approx. CZK 60-120 |
Zdrovit MaxiMag Magnesium 375 mg + B6 |
20 effervescent tablets |
1 mineral (magnesium) + vitamin B6 |
CZK 38-195 |
Energy Fytomineral |
100 ml |
mix of minerals |
CZK 449-605 |
Centrum for Women 50+ |
30 tablets |
mix of minerals + vitamins |
CZK 154/199 – 312/324 |
Centrum for Men 50+ |
30 tablets |
mix of minerals + vitamins |
CZK 154/199 – 312/324 |
Reflex Nutrition Nexgen |
60 capsules |
mix of minerals + vitamins + antioxidants |
CZK 189-505 |
Quinton Hypertonic |
Ampule 30 x 10 ml |
78 minerals |
CZK 895-918 |
Aqua de Mar Seawater |
2 l |
78 minerals |
CZK 246 |
When using mineral substances, it is not enough to supplement just one that will solve all our existing health ailments. The body must be supplied with a complete range of minerals in the right proportions, because there is “strength in unity”. Minerals often complement their mutual effects, meaning they work on the basis of synergy.
As an example, we can use magnesium. This is one of the most common minerals in the organism. Bones contain about 60% magnesium, whereas 30% is interchangeable and acts as a “supply” to stabilize the concentration of this mineral in serum. About 20% is found in the skeletal muscles, 19% in other soft tissues, and less than 1% in extracellular fluid.
Magnesium is used in many reactions that are important for the correct functioning of the human body. It is essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids, and is an important co-factor for a range of both enzymes and transporters. Intercellular magnesium forms a complex with ATP, and thus plays a key role in synthesizing proteins, cell replication and energy metabolism.
A deficiency of magnesium (as well as phosphorus, potassium and vitamin D) worsens the use of calcium by the organism. Calcium acts as a co-factor for energy metabolism enzymes, and a shortage thereof can affect blood pressure or blood clotting.
Calcium, magnesium and zinc are used in allergic reactions, and help to reduce high histamine values. Yet zinc is most effective if the body has sufficient levels of other elements (e.g. copper, potassium). This is why it is never enough to supplement just one element. On the contrary, the organism must be provided with everything that it needs to function properly.
The body is aided in obtaining the most useful minerals and other substances received from nutrition by a complex digestion process. This starts in the oral cavity, where digestive enzymes from saliva affect the food. It continues via the stomach to the intestines, where they are absorbed into the blood stream, while the unabsorbed remains of food are then eliminated from the body.
It is generally known that Czechs are a nation of beer drinkers, while Moravia is dominated by wine. Did you know that alcohol consumption, among other things, reduces the level of minerals in the body? And that if you supply the body with them sufficiently, you can ease morning hangovers?
The word alcohol comes from the Arabic term al-ghul, which was originally translated as a “refined substance”.
How does alcohol affect mineral levels?
Alcohol does not have a direct effect on the level of minerals, but it does have a negative effect on the digestion process:
If the organism does not have enough minerals for its activity, it draws on its own supplies. Depending on the amount of reserves used, certain more or less severe health problems may arise. This is why a sufficient intake of mineral substances is recommended when consuming larger quantities of alcohol. The organism will be grateful, and will cause much less trouble in the morning than usual.
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