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Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Mai Tran
Description
Chelated minerals are specially formulated mineral supplements designed to improve absorption of these essential nutrients into the body. What makes a mineral a chelated compound is the bonding of the mineral to nitrogen and the ligand that surrounds the mineral and protects it from interacting with other compounds. Although chelated minerals are believed to be better absorbed within the body, studies have shown no difference between chelated and nonchelated forms.
General use
The importance of minerals
Minerals are vital to health because they are the building blocks that make up muscles, tissues, and bones. They also are important components of many life-supporting systems and activities, and are important to hormones, oxygen transport, and enzyme systems.
Minerals participate in the chemical reactions that occur inside the body. These nutrients may work as cofactors or helpers. As cofactors, minerals help enzymes function properly. Minerals may also work as catalysts to initiate and speed up these enzymatic reactions.
Minerals are the electrolytes that the body needs to maintain normal body fluids and the acid-base balance. As electrolytes, minerals act as stop gates to control nerve signal movements throughout the body. Because nerves control muscle movements, minerals also regulate muscle contraction and relaxation.
Many minerals such as zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese act as antioxidants. They protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals (reactive molecules). They scavenge or mop up these highly reactive radicals and change them into inactive, less harmful compounds. In so doing, these minerals help prevent cancer and many other degenerative diseases such as premature aging, heart disease , autoimmune diseases, arthritis, cataracts, Alzheimer's disease , and diabetes.
There are two kinds of minerals: the major (or macro) minerals and the trace minerals. Major minerals are the minerals that the body needs in large amounts. The following minerals are classified as major: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, and chloride. They are needed to build muscles, blood, nerve cells, teeth, and bones. They are also essential electrolytes that the body requires to regulate blood volume and the acid-base balance.
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Unlike the major minerals, trace minerals are needed only in tiny amounts. Even though they can be found in the body in exceedingly small amounts, they are also very important. These minerals participate in most chemical reactions in the body. They are also needed to manufacture important hormones. The following are classified as trace minerals: iron, zinc, iodine, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, selenium, molybdenum, and boron.
Why supplements are used
Recent studies have shown that mineral supplements are needed because most Americans don't get adequate amounts of minerals in their diets. More and more people now take chelated minerals daily to ensure that the body has enough of these nutrients to function properly. Many healthy people take minerals to boost their body's immune system and to achieve maximal levels of energy and mental alertness.
Treatment and prevention of diseases
People take individual minerals to prevent or treat certain diseases and conditions. The following are the benefits/uses of key minerals and the optimum daily intake (ODI) of each mineral. ODI is the amount most people require to function at their best level.
Calcium (ODI = 1,000-1,500 mg)Calcium supplements are commonly used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (a bone thinning disease). However, calcium supplements also provide other benefits as well. Studies have shown that calcium may also be effective in treating high blood pressure and relieving symptoms of leg cramps and arthritis. It may also prevent colon cancer.
Phosphorus (ODI = 200-400 mg)Phosphorus is an important mineral in our body. However, because Americans often exceed their phosphorus requirements due to high consumption of sodas and meat, phosphorus supplements are neither necessary nor recommended. Excessive consumption of phosphorus accelerates bone loss leading to osteoporosis.
Magnesium (ODI = 500-750 mg)Magnesium supplements have been used to promote healthy teeth and bones, treat muscle spasms, relieve premenstrual pain, and lower high blood pressure in patients with low magnesium levels. Magnesium has also been used to prevent premature labor and low birth weight.
Zinc (ODI = 22.5-50 mg)Zinc is one of the most frequently used supplements. A strong antioxidant, zinc protects the body against damaging free radicals and boosts the body's immune system. It helps heal burns and wounds, offers some protection against common infections such as colds or flu, and helps prevent cancer. It may be effective in the prevention and/or treatment of age-related macular degeneration (an eye disease), infertility, hair loss , anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder), prostate enlargement , and common skin problems like acne.
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