Our everyday diet?
Minerals are essential to the proper functioning of the body, but are we getting sufficient minerals in our everyday diet?

We get our minerals in organic form from plants, and plants get them in metallic form from the soil, so our mineral intake is dependant on the mineral content of the soil. Over the years there has been a gradual depletion of minerals in the soil due to over-farming. The introduction of artificial fertilizers at the beginning of the last century greatly increased crop yields but only put three nutrients back into the soil:- Nitrate, phosphate, potassium, (NPK) which is sufficient for crops to flourish but nowhere near enough for humans to flourish.

According to nutritionists, we need over 70 different minerals to maintain good health as  and mind and as minerals are not distributed evenly around the earth, it is easy for us to develop an imbalance and supplementation is vital for continued good health.

Research indicates that people with mineral imbalances suffer more from physical, mental and emotional problems than those who have a good nutritional balance of minerals.

Vitamins are manufactured by plants and nature and are important for bodily function and we are often reminded to take extra vitamins, however they can do nothing for us without minerals. Vitamins cannot be assimilated without the aid of minerals. And provided the body has sufficient minerals, it can even manufacture some vitamins, it cannot manufacture minerals.

All tissues and internal fluids of our body contain varying quantities of minerals. Minerals are constituents of the bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells. They are vital to overall mental and physical well-being.
Minerals act as catalysts for the many biological and electrical reactions within the body, muscle response, the transmission of messages and energy through the nervous system, the production of hormones, digestion, and the utilization of nutrients in foods. Minerals have both structural and functional roles. They are components of body tissues and fluids and work in combination with enzymes, hormones, vitamins and transport substances. Here is a summary:-

1-Structural - Minerals assist:
Proper composition of body fluids.
Formation of blood and bones.
Maintenance of a healthy nerve function.
Regulation of muscle tone including that of the cardiovascular system.

2-Enzyme Activation.
Like vitamins, minerals function as coenzymes, enabling the body to perform functions like energy production, growth and healing. Because all enzyme activity involves minerals, they are essential to the proper utilization of vitamins and their nutrients.

3-Hormones.
Minerals are part of hormones.

4-Minerals form part of important substances, such as iron, in haemoglobin, cabalt in B12.

5- Fluid and electrical balance.
Minerals are essential for proper tissue fluid balance and electrical activity across cell membranes.