Find Useful Minerals in Food. Part 2.

Zinc is involved in creation of genetic material and proteins, transports vitamin A, wound healing.
Zinc is found in spinach, broccoli, green peas, green beans, tomato juice, oysters, shrimp, crab, turkey, lean ham, lean ground beef, lean sirloin steak, plain yogurt, Swiss cheese.

Copper is necessary for the absorption and utilization of iron, supports formation of hemoglobin.
It is contained in almonds, avocado, beans, barley, cauliflower, nuts, lamb chops, oranges, organ meats, peanuts, pecans, raisins, salmon and seafood (especially oysters), legumes, green leafy vegetables, radishes and soybeans.

Manganese helps in many cell processes.
It is found in most foods, especially dairy products, fish, meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables.

Fluoride helps to make teeth resistant to decay.
It is contained in fluoridated water, some kinds of black tea, seafood.

Chromium is associated with insulin and keeps glucose tolerance. The sources of chromium are vegetable oils, liver, brewer's yeast, whole grains, cheese, nuts, apples, black pepper, calves liver, cheese, meat and whole grains, grapes, cheese, chicken, corn and corn oil, dairy products, mushrooms, potatoes, beer, oysters, rice and beans.

Calcium facilitates in formation of bones and teeth, supports blood clotting.
Best sources are milk, yogurt, cheese, cheese, sardines, green beans, spinach, seafood and green vegetables, nuts, almonds, broccoli, cabbage.

Minerals are part of body tissues and fluids. As we can see they are important factors in keeping physiological processes and regulating many body functions. The level of one mineral in the body affects every other mineral level. Out-of-balance mineral levels can cause to serious disease. All mineral deficiencies can be recovered by adding the specific supplements to the diet.

Find Useful Minerals in Food. Part 1.

Minerals are elements found in the earth. Mineral salts are consisted in rock formations, which gradually destroy, converting by erosion into tiny fragments. During millions of years dust and sand form soil enriched with mineral salts. All living things such as plants, animals and humans need minerals.

When a seed falls to the soil, it absorbs minerals from the earth to convert into plant. So, plants take minerals from the soil, and animals get their minerals while eating the plants or other animals. Afterwards, in turn, animals and plants supply human with these minerals that make up our bodies and keep them.

What’s more, our blood is partially produced from some minerals. Thus our bodies transform the iron found in plants into hemoglobin which is an essential part of our own life blood. Minerals are available from the natural foods. Here are some of the best sources for each of them.

Sodium supports coagulation of blood, muscle contraction and transmissions of nerve impulse.
Best sources of sodium are salt, bread, milk, meats, dairy products, leafy vegetables.

Phosphorus is used in all of the body’s energy releasing reactions, maintains acid-base balance bone and tooth structure.
It is found in milk, cheese, nuts, cereals, legumes, meats, fish, poultry, and eggs.

Magnesium facilitates bone mineralization, muscular contraction, bone and tooth structure, intestine functions.
Magnesium is contained in nuts, legumes, whole grains, milk, spinach, broccoli, artichokes, green beans, tomato juice, and sunflower seeds.

Iron regulates energy metabolism, and growth of the protein hemoglobin.
It is contained in artichoke, parsley, spinach, broccoli, green beans, tomato juice, tofu, clams, shrimp, and beef liver.

Iodine is needed for a healthy thyroid; it also assists to regulate growth, development and metabolic rate.
It is found in seafood, bread, and milk, cheese, also in asparagus, fish, garlic, mushrooms, spinach, and turnip greens.