What is the difference between a vitamin and a mineral?

Many of us have wondered about this. Vitamins are organic in nature and can be broken down with heat, or exposure to oxygen. Minerals are inorganic and maintain their chemical structure. Our bodies need both! Minerals are known as the keys to vibrancy, the spark of life…vitality. Minerals exist in quantities that our body requires much more of – more than 100 mg per day – macro nutrients. Next,  are Trace Minerals which is the term used to refer to the micro nutrients we need in less than 20 milligrams per day, yet they are still vital to many of our body’s systems.

Sufficient minerals are needed to supply every system of our body

Minerals are nothing more than elements – that’s right the same elements you learned about in high school chemistry. The famous periodic table lists all of the earth’s known elements. Our bodies are made of these very same elements. Things like iron. zinc, and magnesium. The task of daily living – including all of the body’s incredible processes – depletes these elements and they must be replenished regularly.  Some of the metabolic functions trace minerals aid are reproduction, development, and immunity. Our bodies can only function properly if we have these elements at the proper balance within our body.

Sufficient minerals are needed to supply every system of our body. For example, our circulatory system needs iron, our muscles need sulphur, and our bones need calcium. But most of us are not even aware when our bodies are lacking these necessary minerals! Often we may not notice something is lacking until we have experienced numerous nagging symptoms that finally cause us to analyze what is happening in our body.  Frequent fatigue, joint pain, lack of sound sleep, digestive issues, inability of muscles to quickly recover after exercise, and even much worse symptoms like loss of bone density. If minerals are the key to our body’s “spark”, then when the spark goes out we can start by taking at look here. Not enough of each mineral can lead to a deficiency causing some of the symptoms we’ve mentioned. Yet, too much of one trace element can lead to an imbalance. These micro nutrients, do not exist independently but work symbiotically to create the perfect balanced environment for ultimate health.

The problem that exists is that minerals both macro and micro (Trace)  are no longer found in plenty in our earth’s soil. In ancient times eating foods like grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, grown in nutrient rich soil was enough to ensure our bodies had the minerals they needed.  Our bodies require nearly 2/3 of all known elements in order to function at its optimum, and our bodies cannot produce its own minerals. It must consume them! Simply put we must eat, digest and absorb minerals.  A colourful, variety of fruits and vegetables (organic is best when possible!), and a broad spectrum celtic, sea, or himalayan salt are the building blocks for feeding your body well.

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