DIETARY ZINC

DIETARY ZINC

Zinc is vital in the absorption and action of many vitamins. It is essential for the maintenance of growth, development, cell division, protein and DNA synthesis. It is a component of insulin and is necessary for proper skin, nail and hair growth and appearance. Zinc is also very useful for the fast and healthy healing of cuts and burns because we need zinc in so many enzymatic activities in repair work. Zinc supplements are
needed in diabetes, hearing affections and brain functions.  The sources of zinc are brewer‟s yeast, egg yolk, fish, lamb chops, legumes, lima beans, liver, meat, mushrooms, oysters, pecans, poultry, pumpkin seeds, sardines, seafood, soybeans and whole grains. Indications of deficiency include:
1.   Fatigue. 
2.   Prolonged healing of wounds. 
3.   Smell and taste dysfunctions.  
4.   Stretch marks on the skin. 
5.   White spots on the fingernails. 
6.   It causes dwarfism since it retards growth and maturity and produces anemia. 

DIETARY IODINE

DIETARY IODINE 

Iodine is associated with the synthesis of thyroxine and thus is required for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Iodine plays a major role in regulating the production of energy and stimulates the rate of metabolism. Persons living in coastal regions usually receive an adequate supply of iodine because of its high content in seafood and kelp. Thus to protect the inland population from "goiter", a small amount of iodine is often added by manufacturers of table salt (called as iodized salt).
Iodine deficiencies may lead to:

1. Obesity.
2. Sluggishness. 
3. Slowed mental reactions. 
4. Hardening of the arteries. 

Dietary Calcium

Dietary Calcium

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The human body needs calcium more than any other mineral. A man weighing 70 kg. contains one kg. of calcium. About 99 per cent of the quantity in the body is used for building strong bones and teeth and the remaining one per cent is used by the blood, muscles and nerves. Calcium performs many important functions. Without this mineral , the contractions of the heart would be faulty, the muscles would not contract properly to make the limbs move and blood would not clot. Calcium stimulates enzymes in the digestive process and coordinates the functions of all other minerals in the body.

Calcium is found in milk and milk products, whole wheat, leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and cabbage , carrots, watercress, oranges, lemons, almonds, figs and walnuts. A daily intake of about 0.4 to 0.6 grams of calcium is considered desirable for an adult. The requirement is larger for growing children and pregnant and lactating women.

Deficiency may cause porous and fragile bones, tooth decay, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, insomnia and irritability. A large increase in the dietary supply of calcium is needed in tetany and when the bones are decalcified due to poor calcium absorption, as in rickets, oesteomalacia and the malabsorption syndrome. Liberal quantity of calcium is also necessary when excessive calcium has been lost from the body as in hyperparathyroidism or chronic renal disease.

DIETARY MINERALS

DIETARY MINERALS

Minerals act as building stones to all the cells in our bodies. They function as 'cofactors' in the metabolism of the products in the body. If additional catalysts like minerals and vitamins were not present, the reactions for most of the bodily metabolisms would proceed so slowly that they would become ineffective. Minerals also help to maintain the alkaline level in the body to balance the reaction of the acidic food we consume. Although most are present in the average diet, these minerals may not always be ingested in quantities sufficient to satisfy our metabolic needs, especially during growth, stress, trauma, blood loss and in certain diseases. Thus additional supplements may become necessary in certain conditions like pregnancy, lactation, menstruation, hyperthyroidism, infectious diseases, tissue wasting diseases, etc.
I'll post some more about the sources of minerals.