The Importance of Trace Minerals within the Human Body
Ionic trace minerals are amazing little atoms that have either a positive or negative charge. Simply, they conduct electricity. These atoms help keep the electrical responses within organs, such as the heart and brain, functioning properly. Additionally, they help balance out the body’s other systems, such as the immune system, which supports the overall health of an individual.
Science is still learning what the function of each trace mineral is, but we know that each one plays an important role in our body. For instance, the function of many trace minerals now considered important, were at one time deemed unnecessary or their function unknown by science. Most likely, more trace minerals will be added to that list of “essential nutrients for health” as techniques develop and become more sophisticated at studying body tissues and food components.
Molybdenum is just one such trace mineral. As science improved its technology, this obscure little mineral’s important role has only recently come to light. All the iron in the world does us no good if there is a shortage of molybdenum within our body. It helps free iron from the liver so that it (iron) can help deliver oxygen through the blood to cells and tissues. This is also a good example of how trace minerals work intricately together.
Most locally sourced trace minerals are found within the Great Salt Lake in their naturally occurring and balanced state. And as such, are much like the amounts you would find naturally in the foods you consume. However, due to soil depletion, accelerated farming techniques, pollution, etc., trace minerals are being leached out of the soil that produces the foods we eat. Hence the need for supplementation of trace minerals.
The Great Salt Lake is surrounded by mountain ranges that, on average, get approximately 500 inches of snow a year. As the cold weather gives way to warmer temperatures in the spring, the snow gradually melts, and this “spring runoff” washes down the mountainsides, drawing minerals and trace minerals from the soil.
The Great Salt Lake then becomes a kind of catch basin for various streams and rivers. However, the lake does not have an outlet, so the minerals and trace minerals build in their concentration within the lake’s water. Then, under the summer sun, the water evaporates off the lake, leaving behind the concentrated minerals and trace minerals. This also creates a higher concentration of brine – another advantage to production of trace minerals – as brine helps immobilize the heavy metals in the sediments at the bottom of the lake.
Understanding the relationship between these trace minerals helps us form a better idea of how they work. They literally keep each other “in check” so that none of them get out of balance; this is assuming the trace minerals are taken in balance to begin with.
Trace minerals help aid with the absorption, assimilation and activation of vitamins, macro minerals, enzymes, herbs, and other nutrients that we take in from our diets or supplements. Without trace minerals, vitamins would be rendered useless. Trace minerals are essential to optimal health within the human body.
Darrin Starkey is the Director of Training and Education for Trace Minerals
Research. Trace Minerals Research envisions a world where people are
empowered and in charge of their own health; a time when all consumers are
committed to living a healthier lifestyle; a day when ionic trace minerals are
a part of every consumer’s daily supplement intake. For over 35 years, they
have been recognized as the pioneer of ionic trace mineral products that have
supported consumers in living healthy lives.
