The Macrominerals
Calcium - When it comes to bones, calcium is the macromineral you definitely want on your team. It helps build strong bones, so you can run, swim, and score the winning goal! It also helps you chomp on tasty food by building strong healthy teeth. It's the most abundant mineral in your body, making up about 2 percent of your total body weight. Foods high in calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, collards, turnip greens, kale, canned salmon, sardines, and calcium-fortified foods.
Magnesium - Every cell in your body needs magnesium. It's important for energy - so if you want to have fun with your friends, magnesium is a key team player. You also need magnesium to make more than 300 different enzymes to send messages along the nerve pathways, help your muscles relax, keep your heart beating, maintain strong bones and teeth, and keep your blood pressure normal. Lots of foods contain magnesium. Good sources are leafy vegetables, whole grains, seafood, beans, and nuts.
Phosphorus - Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in your body, about 1 percent of your body weight. Over 80 percent of that partners with calcium to support your bones and teeth. Phosphorus is abundant in all types of foods so it is difficult to be deficient in it. Good sources of phosphorus are legumes (peas and beans), milk/milk products, nuts, cheese, eggs, grains, meat, and poultry. Click here for more information.
Antioxidants and Health
Just like rust on a car, oxidation can damage our body's cells and may contribute to the breakdown of healthy immunity and speed up the aging process. Oxidation happens as the result of damaging free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that form in the body as a result of normal body metabolism, over-exercise, stress, being exposed to dirty air and other environmental pollutants.
Antioxidants help prevent oxidation by counteracting free radicals.* They do this by binding to them and transforming them into non-damaging compounds. Consequently, antioxidants are integral in supporting the body's natural defense system.*
Powerful antioxidants include vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, Coenzyme Q10, and garlic. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and green tea all contain antioxidants as well. These important nutrients and foods support a healthy body in the production of healthy cells which is the best strategy for protection against free radical damage and consequently the development of serious health challenges.
As we age, free radical levels in the body increase so that a continuous intake of antioxidants is important to assure overall health and protection. Antioxidant intake along with exercise, a positive attitude and an overall healthful diet are invaluable tools to defend against cell damage and prolong a healthy life, full life.
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*These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease.
This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Trace Elements Help Major Burn Patients
According to a recent prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 21 burn patients, it was determined that trace element supplementation was associated with higher circulating plasma and skin tissue contents of selenium and zinc which improved antioxidant status. These changes were associated with improved clinical outcome, including fewer pulmonary infections and enhanced wound healing. For more information go to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 85, May 2007. Click here for more information.
Selenium May Help Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk
In a recent analysis on three randomized clinical trials of dietary or nutrient interventions in preventing colorectal adenomas, researchers discovered that higher levels of selenium in one's blood may be associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer. Success: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 96, November 2004. Click here for more information.
Selenium Deficiency May Impact The Body's Ability To Fight Disease
According to a recent research study conducted in the United Kingdom, people deficient in the trace mineral selenium may be less able to fight disease. Participants in the study were given either selenium or a placebo for a period of 15 weeks. Then, after 6 weeks, the whole group was given an oral live attenuated poliomyelitis vaccine. At the end of the trial the selenium-supplementing participants had test results that showed there was a boost in immunity. They also showed a more rapid clearance of the poliovirus. Success: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 80, July 2004. Click here for more information.
Increase Of Antioxidant Intake May Lower Asthma Risk In Youth
In a large nutrition survey of youths between 4-16 years of age, researchers found that increases in intakes of antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C and the trace mineral selenium were associated with a lower risk of asthma prevalence. Asthma is respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing and is usually of allergic origin. Success: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 169. pp. 393-398, 2004. Click here for more information.
Selenium May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer
A recent federally sponsored study published by researchers at Stanford University confirmed that higher blood levels of selenium were associated with lower risks of prostate cancer. Selenium is a trace element supplied by certain foods and dietary supplements. The study showed that men with low blood levels of selenium are four to five times more likely to develop prostate cancer. The study also showed that selenium levels in the blood decreased with age - a fact that was not previously known. Source: www.jurology.com
New Selenium And Cancer Health Claim Allowed By FDA
Regarding the nutrient selenium, the Food and Drug Administration will be allowing a new dietary supplement health claim and disclaimer. This claim can be worded in two different ways, both ways pointing to seleniums potential to protect the body against cancer. The disclaimer will state that the evidence is limited and not conclusive. Source: www.cfsan.fda.gov. Click here for more information.