MINERALS, HEAVY METALS AND THE EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY
The Importance of Mineral Balance for Health
My keen interest in minerals began when I personally witnessed vast improvements in my own health by focusing solely on giving my body what it needs to function optimally.
Minerals: The Foundation of Good Health
Minerals are foundational to health. They are the key players that activate thousands of functions within the body.
The First Step: Maximizing Nutrient-Dense Foods
The first step toward mineral balance is maximizing a nutrient-dense diet. Ideally, we should aim to obtain as many bioavailable minerals from nature as possible. However, many supplements lack the co-factors necessary for the body to properly regulate the minerals we try to increase. The "take this for that" approach is flawed because it neglects the antagonistic and synergistic relationships of minerals within the body, which can sometimes cause more issues than it resolves.
The Risk of Excess Minerals
Taking minerals that the body doesn’t need or exceeding the daily recommended dose can disrupt mineral balance. The body will then have to use its stores of other minerals and vitamins to regulate the excess. This can cause mineral dysregulation, and if the liver is impaired or co-factors are insufficient, the body may store these excess minerals in tissues. It's important to remember that no mineral works in isolation. Vitamins like E, A, C, and B vitamins (especially B6) are also crucial in supporting mineral regulation.
Challenges with Modern Food
One of the problems we face today is that our food is over 50% less nutrient-dense than it was 100 years ago. This is where bioavailable whole-food supplementation can help. A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is one of the most valuable functional tests available. However, it should be conducted by professionals who understand the complexities of mineral interactions, as the ratios between certain minerals are more important than the effects of a single mineral in isolation.
The Role of Heavy Metals
The principle of ionic mimicry explains that heavy metals accumulate more readily in a mineral-unbalanced body. Heavy metal accumulation in the brain can contribute to mental health issues, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. For example, lead exposure can decrease IQ and attention spans.
Bone tissue: Heavy metals like aluminum, lead, and cadmium tend to accumulate in bones.
Fat tissue: Mercury, arsenic, and uranium are more prone to accumulating in fat tissue.
Exposure to heavy metals is one of the greatest health challenges today. Our detoxification systems are overwhelmed by these toxins, and at certain levels, heavy metals can inactivate detoxification enzymes.
Supporting Detoxification Through Mineral Balancing
To enhance energy efficiency, we need to support all body systems, particularly detoxification. The body has its own detoxification mechanisms, but it needs support through mineral balancing. Our liver and kidneys require additional help to open detox pathways. Detoxification is a parasympathetic process, meaning stress can hinder it. Both external and internal stressors are at play—internal stress is often hidden but just as impactful.
How Stress Affects Mineral Balance
Stress has a significant impact on mineral balance. Stress retains stimulating minerals like Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Selenium (Se) while excreting sedating minerals such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Chromium (Cr). Without supporting the body’s systems with the right minerals, the body will continue to accumulate heavy metals and toxins due to mineral imbalances.
Understanding HTMA and Mineral Ratios
HTMA isn’t just about identifying deficiencies; it's about analyzing functionality. The four primary minerals, Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), and Potassium (K), are the body's electrolytes and are needed for all functions. The ratios between these minerals provide important insights into metabolic rate, thyroid, and adrenal health.
For example, the Calcium (Ca) to Potassium (K) ratio is more reflective of the thyroid's cellular function than just intake from diet. Potassium activates the thyroid, while calcium’s effect on the thyroid can be visualized as balancing butterfly wings. Too much calcium weighs them down, while too little speeds them up. By balancing these big four, other minerals often balance out naturally.
Thyroid and Adrenal Health
Iodine (I) and Selenium (Se) are essential for converting thyroid hormone from T4 (inactive) to T3 (active) in the liver. Stress impairs this conversion.
Adrenal Cortical Activity: A low Sodium (Na) to Magnesium (Mg) ratio points to hypothyroidism.
Adrenal Medullary Activity: A high Sodium (Na) to Magnesium (Mg) ratio points to hyperthyroidism.
The Role of Minerals in Enzyme and Hormonal Function
Minerals like Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), and Iron (Fe) are critical for hundreds of enzyme functions and have thousands of roles throughout the body. These minerals are essential for enzymes and binding proteins that regulate hormone production and function.
The Impact of Medication on Mineral Balance
Different medications can affect mineral status:
Blood pressure tablets: Lower sodium.
SSRIs: Increase sodium.
Benzodiazepines: Increase magnesium retention.
Steroids: Increase calcium retention.
The Importance of Mineral Balancing Over Hormone Replacement
I always recommend focusing on mineral balancing before considering hormone replacement therapy or enzyme function replacement. Supporting the body's natural processes with minerals is key to restoring balance.
By correcting mineral ratios and understanding the antagonisms and synergies between minerals, we can significantly improve hormonal balance and overall health.
The Cost of Not Doing HTMA
Skipping an HTMA test is more costly in the long run. Spending money on unnecessary supplements or creating imbalances by using random multivitamins and mineral supplements can do more harm than good.
HTMA for Everyone
HTMAs aren’t just for people with chronic conditions. Anyone can benefit from mineral optimization, improving motivation, concentration, sleep, stamina, performance, creativity, and more.
Further Information and Resources:
Example Video:
HMTA video on anxiety, concentration, ADHD, and depression