Minerals cannot be synthesized by the body and must be regularly obtained through our food and supplementation.

Boron: enhances calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D use in bone formation and density. Stimulates estrogen production which protects against the onset of osteoporosis. A significant nutritional deterrent to bone loss for athletes. Food sources: most vegetables, fruits such as apples, pears and grapes, and nuts.

Calcium: most abundant mineral in the body. Needs vitamin D for good absorption. Necessary for synthesis of B₁₂. Works with phosphorus to build sound teeth and bones, with magnesium for cardiovascular health and skeletal strength. Helps blood clotting, lowers blood pressure, prevents muscle cramping, maintains nervous system health, controls anxiety and depression, and insures high quality rest and sleep. May help prevent colon cancer and osteoporosis. Aluminum-based antacids interfere with calcium absorption. Antibiotics and cortico-steroid drugs increase calcium needs. Calcium citrate has the best record of absorbency. Food sources: green vegetables, milk and dairy products, sea vegetables, tofu, molasses, shellfish.

Chromium: an essential trace mineral needed for glucose tolerance and sugar regulation. Deficiency means high cholesterol, heart trouble, diabetes or hypoglycemia, poor carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and premature aging. Supplementation can reduce blood cholesterol levels, increase HDL cholesterol levels, and diminish atherosclerosis. Great effectiveness as a biologically active form of GTF (chromium, niacin, and glutathione) to control diabetes through insulin potentiation. For athletes, chromium supplements are a healthy, safe way to convert body fat to muscle. For dieters, chromium curbs the appetite as it raises body metabolism. 200mcg to 600mcg of chromium picolinate appears to be most biologically active. Food sources: brewer's yeast, clams, honey, whole grains, cheese, liver, corn oil, grapes, raisins.

Copper: helps to control inflammatory arthritis/bursitis symptoms. Aids in iron absorption, protein metabolism, bone mineralization, blood clotting and formation. SOD is a copper-containing enzyme that protects against free radical damage. Helps prevent hair from losing its color. Deficiencies result in high cholesterol, anemia, heart arrhythmias and nerves. Excess copper sometimes results in mental depression. Food sources: molasses, raisins, seafood, high fiber cereals, organ meats, nuts, legumes, eggs.

Germanium: should be used only as organic sesquioxide. Acts as an anti-cancer agent, particularly where there is tumor metastasis, by activating marcophages and increasing production of killer cells. A stimulus to interferon in the body for immune strength. Facilitates oxygen uptake, detoxifies and blocks free radicals. Effective for viral/bacterial and fungal infections, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart, blood pressure and respiratory conditions. Food sources: Chlorella, garlic, tuna, oysters, green tea, reishi mushroom, aloe vera, ginseng, leafy greens.

Iodine: a major component of good thyroid function and proper metabolism. Deficiency results in goiter, hypothyroidism, cretinism, confused thinking, and menstrual difficulties. Necessary for skin, hair and nail health, and correct wound healing, iodine also prevents toxicity from radiation. Food sources: seafood and sea vegetables.

Iron: combines with proteins and copper to produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency results in fatigue, muscle weakness and anemia. Iron strengthens immunity, and is a key to healing from injury. Important for women using the "pill" and during pregnancy. Keeps hair color young, eyes bright, and the body strong. However, free un-bound iron is a strong pro-oxidant, and can be toxic at abnormally high levels, resulting in iron overload with harmful free radicals linked to some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and endocrine dysfunction. Vitamin E and C with bioflavinoids are used to treat iron overload. Using herbal or food sources as supplements avoids the problem altogether. Food sources: molasses, cherries, prunes, leafy greens, poultry, liver, legumes, peas, fish, whole grains.

Magnesium: the critical mineral for osteoporosis and the skeletal system. Necessary for  good nerve and muscle function, healthy blood vessels and balanced blood pressure. Athletes need extra magnesium for endurance and exercise capacity. An important part of tooth and bone formation, heart and kidney health, and restful sleep. Counteracts stress, nerves, irregular heartbeat, emotional instability and depression. Calms hyperactive children. Supplemental success with alcoholism, diabetes, and asthma. A co-factor for the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, of vitamin C, B-complex, and other minerals. Deficiency results in muscle spasms, cramping and gastro-intestinal disturbances. Food sources: dark green vegetables, seafood, whole grains, dairy foods, nuts, legumes.

Manganese: nourishes brain and nerve centers. Aids in sugar and fat metabolism. Necessary for DNA/RNA production. Involved with SOD protection against free radical damage. Enhances immune responses. Helps eliminate fatigue, nerve irritability and lower back pain. Reduces seizures in epileptics. Deficiencies result in poor hair and nail growth, loss of hearing, poor muscle/joint coordination. Chemical tranquilizers deplete manganese. The citrate form shows best absorption performance. Food sources: eggs, green vegetables, legumes, nuts, pineapples, bananas, whole grains, cereals, liver.

Phosphorus: the second most abundant body mineral. Occurs in ratio balance with calcium. Necessary for skeletal infrastructure, brain oxygenation, and cell reproduction. Maintains acid/alkaline balance. Increases muscle performance while decreasing muscle fatigue. Excessive antacids deplete phosphorus. Food sources: eggs, fish, organ meats, dairy products, legumes, nuts, poultry.

Potassium: an electrolyte mineral located in the body fluids. Balances the acid/alkaline system, transmits electrical signals between cells and nerves, and enhances athletic performance. Works with sodium to regulate the body's water balance. Necessary for heart health (hypertension and stroke), normal muscle function, energy storage, nerve stability, enzyme and hormone production. Helps oxygenate the brain for clear thinking and controls allergic reactions. Stress, hypoglycemia, diarrhea and acute mental anxiety all cause potassium deficiency. A potassium from vegetables is one of the greatest healing tools available for cleansing and returned body energy. Food sources: dried fruits, lean poultry and fish, dairy foods, legumes, seeds, vegetables, whole grains.

Selenium: a component of glutathione, and powerful antioxidant, protects the body from free radical damage and heavy metal toxicity. An anti-cancer and immune stimulant agent. Works with vitamin E to prevent fat and cholesterol accumulation in the bloodstream. Protects against heart weakness and degenerative diseases. Enhances elasticity of skin and body tissue. Deficiency results in aging skin, liver damage, increase oxidation, hypothyroidism, and in severe cases digestive/eliminative trace cancers. Most effective supplement source is selenomethionine. Should be used only from organic sources. Food sources: brewer's yeast, sesame seeds, garlic, tuna, kelp, wheat germ, oysters, fish, organ meats.

Silica: responsible for connective tissue growth and health. Used for treating arteriosclerosis. Necessary for collagen production and synthesis - all healing and rebuilding processes. Can regenerate the body infrastructure, including not only the skeleton, but tendons, ligaments, cartilage, connective tissue, skin, hair and nails. Recent research shows that silicon supplementation can actually bring about bone recalcification. Food sources: whole grains, horsetail herb.

Sodium: an electrolyte that helps regulate kidney and body fluid function. Involved with high blood pressure only when calcium and phosphorus are deficient in the body. Food sources: celery, seafood, sea vegetables, cheese, dairy products.

Zinc: a co-enzyme of SOD that protects against free radical damage. Essential to formation of insulin, immune strength, gland, sexual and reproductive health. Critical to immune function. Helps prevent birth defects, enhances sensory perception, accelerates healing. A brain food that helps control mental disorders and promotes mental alertness. Picolinate from is the most absorbable. Food sources: brewer's yeast, eggs, mushrooms, soy foods, wheat germ, sunflower and pumpkin seeds.