Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, chloride, manganese, copper, sulfur, cobalt, fluoride, sodium, and selenium are all needed to function each day.
Each mineral plays an important role in your body. Some are easy to come by and some are not, but all are equally important. For example, Iron is the most common mineral deficiency and is a major component to a type of protein in your blood called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from your lungs to every part of your body. A deficiency in iron leads to your cells starving for oxygen. On the flip side, sodium is in almost everything we eat. It’s equally important but unlike iron, it’s rare to see a deficiency because it’s so abundant and easy to absorb. Now you might not have an iron deficiency but instead may be lacking in another mineral such as iodine, magnesium, or calcium. These three minerals are also some of the most common we see people not getting enough of.
If you are someone that has a mineral deficiency and would like to overcome it, the best way to do this is from a plant or animal source. Giving your body nutrients from natural sources such as plants is always best because their nutrients are easier to absorb and offer many other health benefits as well.
Herbs With Minerals
There are many things that can cause a mineral deficiency, but in most cases, they are just lacking in the foods we eat. And even if your deficiency is caused by something other than your diet, you will still want to make sure you are getting enough of these minerals each day. Here is a list of minerals your body needs and the herbs highest in these minerals.
Iron
There are two types of iron, heme and non heme. Both are good but heme absorbs in your body easier than non heme. Heme comes from red meat and non heme comes from plants.
Herbs high in non heme Iron:
Caution: It is not recommended to take these herbs if you are taking an Iron supplement
. Too much iron in the blood is toxic to your liver and can cause serious health problems.
These herbs come in a non-alcoholic liquid extract and can easily be added to your favorite tea or taken by themselves after a meal.
Iodine
This mineral is needed by the thyroid to produce the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Both these hormones are essential in the production of proteins, enzyme activities, and regulating the metabolism.
Herbs with Iodine:
Iodine is one of the more common mineral deficiencies. You can get more iodine daily by taking the liquid herbal extract kelp each day.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral with many jobs in your body. It’s responsible for over 300 enzymes activities such as converting the food you eat into energy, supporting bone health, helping repair and build DNA and RNA, supports the nervous system, and muscle movement. In fact, every cell in your body needs this vital mineral.
Herbs high in magnesium:
Each one of these herbs will add extra magnesium to your diet and also provide other nutrients as well. They’re great to take on their own or added to a cup of warm tea.
Calcium
The most abundant mineral in your body is calcium. It’s also a common deficiency. Your blood must maintain a level of 8.6 – 10.3 mg/dL according to UCLA health. If you do not get the recommended amount (1,000mg) of calcium daily, your body will pull it from your bones to keep the blood within this healthy range.
Herbs high in calcium:
There are many calcium supplements out there but unless the calcium is from a plant or animal source, your body most likely won’t absorb much of it. Vitamins D and K help the absorption of calcium and should also be taken daily. Cod liver oil is a good source of Vitamin D and Alfalfa is for Vitamin K. For best results, take calcium 2-3 hours after you eat and before bed. This will ensure better absorption and sleep.
Deficiencies in the rest of the minerals are rare but still play an important role in your health. The HoneyCombs Mineral Complex is a combination of herbs that provide these minerals along with magnesium, iron, and iodine. Since this formula is made up of herbs, we are unable to provide the amount of each mineral because each plant varies and do not have the same amount as one another. I understand that we are used to having a controlled dose now that science has given us the tools to isolate these compounds, but we lose the rest of what the plant has to offer when we choose this option, and the absorption rate goes down. Here is the rest of the minerals and what they do in your body.
Potassium
This mineral is responsible for holding fluid inside your cells. This electrolyte mineral is one of the most abundant and used to regulate fluid in the body, send nerve signals, and muscle movements.
Phosphorus
The second most abundant mineral in your body, phosphorus is used by your body to balance other minerals and vitamins, rapier cells and tissue, and vital for DNA and RNA. Your kidneys, heart, muscles and nerves all need phosphorus to function properly. Luckily this mineral is abundant and deficiencies are rare.
Zinc
A trace mineral that does a lot, including supporting a strong immune system. This vital nutrient is also necessary for the creation of DNA and the growth and duplication of cells within your body. This means zinc is a big player in wound healing and slowing aging.
Chloride
This mineral is responsible for keeping electrolytes in harmony within your body. Your Kidneys regulate chloride levels, therefore if you have a deficiency, its usually kidney related. Chloride is the second most abundant mineral in your body and is needed for proper metabolizing.
Manganese
Your body uses manganese to activate enzymes that help metabolize carbohydrates, cholesterol, protein, and glucose. Your immune system and reproductive system both need this mineral to properly function. Magnesium helps bone formation and is important for children as they grow to keep their skeletal system healthy. In conjunction with Vitamin K helps with blood clotting.
Copper
There are many functions in your body that rely on copper. Iron needs copper to metabolize into your system. Certain energy producing enzymes need it, and so does your immune system. Both connective tissue synthesis and neurotransmitter synthesis need it, and your brain for proper development.
Sulfur
Your body needs sulfur to protect and fix your DNA and cells. Damaged cells can lead to serious health conditions that can be hard to recover from. It also supports healthy tendons, ligaments, and your skin. And while sulfur deficiencies are rare, it’s always a good idea to make sure to eat plenty of foods with sulfur. Check out our MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), a product that provides the same sulfur found in vegetables, fruits, and meat.
Cobalt
This is a mineral that is only absorbed from the foods you eat. A deficiency is rare, and you only need trace amounts of it. Cobalt is a mineral that supports the proper synthesis of red blood cells, the nervous system, thyroid, and the metabolism. It also helps with iron absorption.
Fluoride
Since fluoride is added to drinking water, toothpaste, and other dental products, a deficiency is rare and, in most cases, we get more than we need. This mineral is good for bone formation and healthy teeth.
Sodium
Sodium deficiencies are rare, and in most cases, we get more than our bodies require daily. You need sodium for your nervous system, muscles, and to maintain the balance of water and minerals. Every cell in your body requires sodium to help maintain the balance of fluid within and outside of it. Too much sodium can cause you to retain fluid and over time can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stones, and bone loss.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral your body only needs a small amount of. Your body uses it to make DNA, protect you from infection and cell damage. Selenium is equally as important as iodine for the thyroid and they both work together to produce and activate thyroid hormones.
Again, I prefer to get my minerals from the foods I eat and herbs that are high in these nutrients. Minerals are found in the ground where plant roots can absorb them. We then eat the plants and the animals with these minerals and our bodies are easily able to extract and absorb them. This is the safest way to get these nutrients, in balance and with other compounds that help us absorb them.
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