In my last few posts I have been discussing the macrominerals, their benefits and the potential negative symptoms of overdosing on any of the seven. In this article I will be looking at the other side of the coin and discussing 15 disadvantages of macromineral deficiency. 1) BLOOD PROBLEMS:- Being deficient in certain macrominerals can lead to a variety of blood related problems. Not getting enough calcium can lead to high blood pressure which ultimately causes damage to your blood vessels and vital organs. Failing to eat enough magnesium can reduce blood levels of calcium and potassium. … [Read more...]
12 Reasons To Avoid Macromineral Overdose
In my previous post I discussed the many benefits of macrominerals. Whilst getting your recommended daily allowance (RDA) of all 7 macrominerals can have a hugely positive effect on your health a lot of people go too far and end up overdosing. Unfortunately, this can have a negative effect on your health. In this article I will be discussing 12 of the potential symptoms caused by overdosing on the macrominerals. 1) CALCIFICATION OF THE SOFT TISSUES:- Overdosing on phosphorus can lead to calcification of the soft tissues and major organs. This is a condition where calcium is deposited on … [Read more...]
12 Top Macromineral Benefits
When it comes to healthy eating the macronutrients get an unfair amount of publicity. Carbohydrates are constantly recommended as a great source of energy to keep you going throughout the day. If you want to build big, strong muscles then protein is deemed essential. Even dietary fats are now seen in a favourable light with more and more benefits being revealed as time passes by. Whilst all this praise heaped on the macronutrients is valid, they are not the only nutrients your body needs to function properly. Although they are required in much smaller dosages, the macrominerals are just … [Read more...]
The 7 Macrominerals Explained
In my last few articles I have been discussing each of the macrominerals in detail. Today I am going to bring this information together and provide a summary of the seven macrominerals, the ways they benefit your health, the best food sources and the adverse effects of getting too little or too much. WHAT ARE MACROMINERALS? The macrominerals are the seven main (hence the term 'macro') minerals your body needs to function properly. They are part of the micronutrient family (a group of nutrients which includes vitamins and minerals). Micronutrients are distinguished from macronutrients … [Read more...]
Sulphur Explained
WHAT IS SULPHUR? Sulphur is a macromineral that is well known for its healing properties. It is often used to treat skin conditions and other ailments. However, sulphur does much more than provide you with clear skin. In this article I will be discussing sulphur and its functions in greater detail. WHEN WAS SULPHUR DISCOVERED? Sulphur occurs as a free element and can be found in hot springs, meteorites and volcanoes. It was known to ancient people as brimstone and is referenced a number of times in the Bible. Early alchemists even gave sulphur its own alchemical symbol. However, … [Read more...]
Sodium Explained
WHAT IS SODIUM? Sodium is a macromineral that helps the muscles and nerves function properly. Whilst it often receives bad publicity (due to its close links with salt), sodium is actually essential for good health. In this article I will be discussing sodium and its functions in greater detail. WHEN WAS SODIUM DISCOVERED? Humans have been aware of sodium compounds throughout history. Glass (which is made using sodium carbonate) was being manufactured on a large scale in Egypt as early as 1370 B.C. However, although there was an awareness of sodium from an early date, people … [Read more...]
Potassium Explained
WHAT IS POTASSIUM? Potassium is a macromineral that can be found in a wide range of foods. It supports your body with various functions including maintaining proper muscle contractions and regular heartbeats. In this article I will be looking at potassium and its role in greater detail. WHEN WAS POTASSIUM DISCOVERED? Early humans were familiar with the potassium compound potash which was also known as vegetable alkali. However, until the eighteenth century they had difficulty distinguishing between vegetable alkali and mineral alkali (a none potassium compound). During the … [Read more...]
Phosphorus Explained
WHAT IS PHOSPHORUS? Phosphorus is an important macromineral that keeps your bones and teeth strong. It is the second most abundant macromineral in the human body, accounting for around 1% of an average adult's bodyweight. In this article I am going to look at phosphorus in greater detail and explain why you should ensure it is part of your diet. WHEN WAS PHOSPHORUS DISCOVERED? Phosphorus was accidentally isolated in 1669 by German alchemist Hennig Brand. He was attempting to convert metals into gold and was convinced that urine was the key to doing this. In one of his experiments … [Read more...]
Magnesium Explained
WHAT IS MAGNESIUM? Magnesium is one of the seven macrominerals that your body needs to survive. It has many roles in the body which include supporting healthy bone growth and helping your muscle tissues and nerves to function properly. In this post I am going to take an in depth look at magnesium and the importance of it to your health. WHEN WAS MAGNESIUM DISCOVERED? The history of magnesium dates back to 1618 when the town of Epsom in England was suffering from a severe drought. A local farmer named Henry Wicker noticed that his cows refused to drink from one of the town's wells, … [Read more...]
Chloride Explained
WHAT IS CHLORIDE? Chloride (formed when the element chlorine picks up an electron from a negatively charged ion) is a macromineral that your body uses to maintain a proper fluid balance and is also essential for metabolism. It represents approximately 0.15% of your total bodyweight and can be found in the fluid that surrounds your cells. In this article I will be discussing chloride in greater detail. WHEN WAS CHLORIDE DISCOVERED? Carl Whilhelm Scheele initially discovered chlorine in 1774 and named it dephlogisticated marine acid. However, in the years following the discovery some … [Read more...]