sea veggies are an excellent source of minerals.

As a nation, we are chronically deficient in minerals, and most of us don’t know it. Mineral deficiencies contribute to a variety of health problems.

Why Do We Need Minerals?

Minerals should exist in ideal ratios in the body; the most important ratios are calcium/magnesium and sodium/potassium. When these ratios are off, say, from not getting enough magnesium or getting too much sodium (mainly via salt), deficiencies develop. The adrenals rely on a high concentration of minerals to properly function, so if you are not getting enough minerals, these glands suffer most. You may feel tired or experience low thyroid (which can cause constipation, dry skin, sleep difficulty, and fatigue), because your adrenals govern your thyroid hormone.

Minerals are necessary for nearly every bodily function, from building bones, teeth, and joints to acting as enzyme co-factors to helping the body maintain proper PH (acid-alkaline balance). Plants obtain minerals from the soil, and most of the minerals in our diets come directly from plants or indirectly from animal sources (animals eat plants).

Minerals from plant sources vary, because soil mineral content varies geographically. And with modern farming methods–including mass production of crops–soil depletion is caused by improperly maintaining farmland and spraying crops with pesticides. As a result, our produce has only a fraction of the minerals it should contain.

Mineral Deficiencies Can Cause

• high blood pressure
• heart rhythm issues
• fatigue
• Constipation 
• Muscle cramping 
• thyroid issues 
• sleep issues

Minerals are easily flushed from the body in times of stress and from coffee, alcohol, and sugar consumption. Minerals are necessary for every enzymatic function in your body, and these processes speed up during times of stress. Or, if you have low stomach acid (WAY more common than you think, especially as you get older), you’re not properly breaking down food and absorbing minerals from your food. If you have a poor diet, high in refined foods, white flour, sugar, coffee and booze, you’ll run into a mineral deficiency sooner rather than later.

Minerals You Need & Why

Magnesium regulates muscle contraction and fosters stress relief and relaxation. Necessary for proper cardio function. Can be used therapeutically (500mg/day) to lower blood pressure and relive constipation and muscle/menstrual cramping. New research suggests that high blood pressure is more closely linked to diets low in minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body. Needed for hormone production, heart, and bone health. Some evidence indicates calcium aids weight loss. Do not take calcium independently from magnesium: the 2 exist in a ratio in the body, and too much calcium in relation to magnesium may contribute to calcification.

Potassium helps maintain the acid/alkaline balance in your blood. Also needed for blood pressure regulation.

Zinc promotes immune and digestive health and boosts immunity. Frequent illness? Ramp up your zinc intake. Beef and lamb are best sources. Pumpkin seeds are the best vegetarian source.

The best sources for minerals include the following:

• sea vegetables such as hijiki, wakame, kelp, nori, kombu, etc. Sprinkle on salads or add to broths and soups. Herbal and green teas are good sources.
• EAT MORE GREENS: they are an excellent source of magnesium, in which many, many people are deficient.
• Make your own mineral broths or gelatin-rich bone broth, and sip at night to foster good sleep. Minerals, especially magnesium, relax the nervous system and promote restful sleep. Try a calcium/magnesium supplement at night to help you sleep. Click here for a bone broth recipe, or make a veggie broth with root vegetables like yams, beets, or potatoes, greens, egg shells (high in calcium), sea veggies, onion, garlic, cruciferous veggies, and ginger. Chop and add all to pot; cover with filtered water; simmer for about 4 hours; strain. Sip. Very alkalinizing and mineral-rich. Use broth as a base for soups and to cook brown rice or quinoa if you eat grains.
• Root vegetables are an excellent source for minerals
• Chlorella/spirulina supergreens blends are great too. I like Amazing Grass.
• Body Ecology’s Ancient Minerals formula is an excellent source

I recommend that everyone take a vitamin-mineral supplement. It’s nearly impossible, even if you eat perfectly (and who does?), to get all the minerals you need from your food, unless you’re fortunate enough to live on a biodynamic farm and you pluck your dinner freshly from the ground every night. By the time our vegetables are picked and shipped to us and then cooked, they’ve lost a lot of nutrients. Get a good mix of raw and cooked veggies, sip your bone broth, add sea veggies to your meals, and you’ve got a good start!

Mary Vance, NC

Mary Vance is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and author specializing in digestive health. She combines a science-based approach with natural therapies to rebalance the body. In addition to her 1:1 coaching, she offers courses to help you heal your gut and improve your health. Mary lives in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in Northern California. Read more about her coaching practice here and her background here.