Why we Need Major Minerals
At one time, people obtained all the nutrients their body needed from the food they ate. That is no longer the case in modern society, particularly when it comes to minerals. Minerals for health are a necessity. Minerals must be present in the soil in order for plants (and animals which eat them) to obtain them. Plants also need the assistance of fungi and bacteria in the soil to be able to properly absorb minerals. our bodies can’t efficiently extract minerals directly from the soil and must obtain them primarily from foods. If sufficient minerals aren’t in the food we eat, we’ve got a problem.
When it comes to minerals, modern society is in trouble because modern agricultural practices have greatly depleted mineral content and availability. NPK fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are popular because they help make plants grow but they don’t replace all the minerals taken from the soil by pervious crops. Thus soils have lower mineral content than they did just 100 years ago.
The problems become compounded with the use of chemicals like pesticides and herbicides diminishing the microflora in the soil. Without the microflora, plants may not be able to absorb the minerals from the soil if they even are available. Soil depletion has not occurred overnight, it has been developing for decades. This decline in soil health is one of the reasons why so many of us are overfed and under nourished.
Humans need minerals for sustained health and in this Sunshine Sharing we are going to talk about the four major mineral electrolytes of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium as well as phosphorus.
Minerals and their Role in Health
It’s important to remember that vitamins and minerals are different. Vitamins are organic substances that are made by plants and animals. Minerals are inorganic substances that come from the soil and water. Both vitamins (fat and water soluble) and minerals are needed for sustained health. Organic substances (vitamins) are able to be broken down by various factors including heat, light and water. Inorganic substances (minerals) maintain their chemical structure. So cooking your food affects the vitamins, not the minerals. Is how I look at it. Minerals are also absorbed differently by the body.
Minerals are super important because they play a huge role in your health. Your body uses minerals to keep your bones, muscles, heart and brain functioning as well as helping to create enzymes and hormones.