Part 2: BiochemistryMinerals, etc. Important to Life

Objectives:

• Identify the deficiency present based on the symptoms given.

• Evaluate the need for various minerals in our diets.

• Describe the interactions between certain minerals and other substances.

• Explain the relationship between certain health conditions and mineral deficiencies.

Vocabulary:

Pica * vasoconstriction * vasodilation * ATP * angina * congenital

Cation * hypertension * arrhythmias * hyponatremia * ferrum *

Microcytic * hypochromic * auditory * optic * carcinogenic * edema

Anaerobic * goiter * glucogenesis * topically * sclera * heme *

Atherosclerosis * apoptosis * hydrocephalus * hemoglobin *

Hyperinsulinemia * minerals *

There are numerous minerals, or metals, essential to life. But, there are also those metals which are harmful to health. It is important to remember that almost anything, even a beneficial mineral, can become harmful if taken in excess. Of all the minerals, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron are usually mentioned as the most important. They tend to be needed in larger quantities than other minerals and are important to many essential processes. Calcium is needed not only for strong bones and teeth, but also for muscle strength and many other functions. Next to the big 3: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, calcium is the next most abundant nutrient stored in the body. Together with magnesium, vitamin D , boron, vitamin K, zinc, copper, and manganese, calcium can form strong bones and teeth. Magnesium is extremely important to maintaining a healthy calcium balance because when magnesium levels fall, the kidneys excrete more calcium to keep these two minerals in a healthy ratio. So, the more magnesium, the more calcium we can hang onto. Unfortunately, diets high in carbohydrates, especially simple sugars (acidifies the blood), and phosphorus (soda, processed food) drain the calcium from our bones.

Ninety nine percent of our calcium is in our bones and teeth. The other 1% in our extracellular fluid must be kept in a very tightly controlled balance. This balance is so important that our bodies will pull calcium out of our bones to protect us from low calcium levels in the blood and tissues. This calcium is important for regulating vasoconstriction and vasodilation (blood vessel contraction and relaxation), muscle contraction/strength, nerve impulses, and the secretion of some hormones, including insulin. In fact, nerve cells, including brain cells, and muscle cells have calcium channels in their cell membranes that allow calcium to rapidly flow through when nerves stimulate the area - for example, when a nerve signals a muscle to contract. In this case, ONE of the actions calcium ions take is to bind to a protein that allows glycogen to break down to provide energy for the muscle contraction. Unfortunately, calcium channels can be tricked open in certain cases. This upsets the balance in the nerves, brain, and muscles. MSG (monosodium glutamate), used as a flavor enhancer, and aspartame, the artificial sweetener, can open calcium channels. These act as excitotoxins and can cause cell death in the brain in the same areas affected by Alzheimer’s. They can also cause seizures, headaches (including migraines), diarrhea, and heart palpitations.

Because the heart muscle is quite sensitive to the calcium balance and

anything that opens the calcium channels (such as MSG and aspartame), the

calcium balance must be protected. Our bodies try to do this naturally. Natural

calcium channel blockers include magnesium and zinc. Unfortunately, many

people are low in these 2 minerals. So when health problems arise, doctors,

who rarely use nutrition as a therapy, often use prescription calcium channel

blockers to help regulate heart contractions and blood pressure. Unfortunately,

these prescriptions tend to have a nasty list of side effects.

Overall, our parathyroid glands (4 of them located in the neck behind the

thyroid) are responsible for maintaining adequate blood calcium by calling for

release of calcium from the bone and decrease of excretion via the kidneys.

But, in order to be really effective, for better absorption of calcium, we need

vitamin D and to maintain that calcium level, we need magnesium. A calcium

deficiency may be due to low intake of calcium, magnesium, or vitamin D. It

may also be due to kidney disease, parathyroid malfunction, or excess sodium

consumption (a possible factor in osteoporosis).

A deficiency of calcium may cause problems with blood clotting ability,

osteoporosis, and possibly high blood pressure (especially in pregnant

women). Lead toxicity is also more likely when calcium is low in the diet.

Calcium helps block the absorption of lead. Lead that makes it into the

bloodstream usually deposits in bones. Unfortunately, there is often a draw for

calcium from the bones when women are pregnant. This bone breakdown also

releases stored lead which easily crosses the placenta and can cause brain

damage to the fetus. It may also be true that children low in calcium will find

lead paint chips sweet. This creates an unusual craving for the wrong

substance (instead of the one truly needed) called “pica”.

Magnesium is probably the most important mineral for heart health. In

addition, more than 300 enzymes in our body require magnesium. Even our

true energy “currency”, ATP, is usually bound to magnesium and occasionally

we show this by writing it as MgATP. Unfortunately, our soils, and therefore

our dietary Mg from plants, are becoming depleted. Plus, we sweat it out, lose

it if given diuretics, and use it up trying to detoxify chemicals from our

environment.

The cardiological benefits of magnesium include: improvement of irregular heart beat, lowering of blood pressure, improved calcium and potassium balance, improved blood volume output by the heart, relaxation of constricted blood vessels, decreased incidence of angina (heart pain), decreased platelet stickiness/clots, and improved HDL to LDL cholesterol ratios. It also acts as a natural calcium channel blocker so it can prevent some of the damage to the brain or heart done by aspartame, MSG, or other excitotoxins. Magnesium also helps with sugar metabolism and is therefore essential to anyone with insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, or diabetes. Diabetics often have abnormally low magnesium levels. Pregnant women experiencingpreeclampsia or eclampsia can lower their high blood pressure and other symptoms, possibly saving their life and their baby’s, by taking magnesium (calcium and Vit. B6 might also be helpful). Congenital (born with it) mitral valve prolapse is associated with a genetic tendency to “waste” magnesium. This magnesium wasting can then cause other problems such as low blood sugar which can be helped by magnesium supplementation.

Magnesium can also relax bronchial muscles. This benefits asthmatics and

people with other breathing problems. In fact, magnesium IVs are claimed to

stop an asthma attack in its tracks. IV’s of Mg were also regularly used for

patients suffering from a heart attack.

Mg is also below normal in people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s,

Alzheimer’s, and some psychiatric disorders. Although Aluminum tends to be

high in these same people, it has not been shown to be the direct source of

their problems. However, we know that Aluminum interferes with Mg and this

might turn out to be the problem behind some of these disorders. And,

between 400 mg and 800 mg of magnesium, taken daily, can prevent

migraines in about 60% of the sufferers.

Too little Mg might cause calcium to deposit in arteries or joints rather than

in the bones. Low Mg is also associated with unhealthy body lipids like LDL

cholesterol and triglycerides. MgATP is needed to stop the initial steps of

cholesterol production. Therefore, a deficiency of Mg can increase cholesterol

production. Furthermore, Mg is needed to convert cholesterol into sex

hormones and vitamin D. Mg is also needed to convert LDL to HDL.

(Many of the benefits of fish and soy milk may be from their Mg content)

Potassium is the primary cation (positively charged ion) INSIDE the cell. It is 30 times higher inside the cell than outside. On the other hand, sodium is 10 times lower inside the cell than out. This creates an electrochemical potential across the cell membrane. Control of this “potential” is essential to nerve function, muscle contraction, and especially the heart. Potassium is needed by our body to control blood pressure. Low potassium is possibly a bigger problem than high sodium diets when it comes to high blood pressure. While low sodium diets might reduce blood pressure by a few points, adding potassium, magnesium, and taurine has a much greater impact on blood pressure reduction. Unfortunately, diuretics, often prescribed to reduce blood pressure by reducing body fluid retention, cause the excretion of potassium and magnesium as well. In addition, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors given to control hypertension (high blood pressure) also impair potassium. And, in order to maintain adequate potassium levels, the body Needs plenty of Mg. Low potassium increases the risk of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat or fluttering), heart failure, and stroke. Low potassium can also cause fatigue, weakness, night-time or other leg cramps (as can Mg or Ca deficiencies), constipation, and increases the excretion of Ca, therefore possibly affecting bone density. Too much potassium can cause dangerous arrhythmias.

Sodium, primarily as sodium chloride in our diet, is part of the important sodium-potassium gradient across cell membranes. It is needed for proper nervous function, including the brain. Retaining too much sodium (a sign of possible kidney problems) also tends to cause too much water to be retained (edema). Too much sodium can cause water to leave the cells. Just like severe dehydration, this can cause severe headache and cell death. On the other hand, too little sodium can cause mental “confusion” or disorientation. Severe hyponatremia (low blood sodium), whether from too much water consumption or too little salt intake, can cause vascular collapse or even death. Iron (ferrum) is essential to 100’s of proteins and enzymes. Probably the most important is “heme”, the protein in myoglobin (carries oxygen in the muscles) and hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that binds to oxygen. Each iron molecule in hemoglobin can hold 4 oxygen atoms. Cytochromes, involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, carry electrons as needed when ATP is being synthesized. Other cytochromes are important to detoxification of drugs and pollutants.

The enzymes, catalase and peroxidase, also contain iron. These are

needed to convert hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen in our bodies. Another iron based enzyme is required for DNA synthesis. Therefore, iron is also needed for growth, healing, immune response, reproduction, etc. An iron deficiency can result in anemia. This type of anemia is also called microcytic (tiny cell) or hypochromic (low color) anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia doesn’t always respond to iron alone, it often needs Vitamin A supplements too. A desire to crunch and munch ice cubes (pica) is often a sign of iron deficiency. In addition, copper is also needed for normal use of iron. If copper is low, anemia may result just as it does with low iron. Without copper, iron tends to accumulate in the liver which indicates that copper is probably needed to move iron into the bone marrow for red blood cell production. Calcium taken at the same time as iron can reduce the absorption of iron. Soy protein can also inhibit iron absorption beyond what phytic acid in legumes, rice, and grains normally does. Iron taken at the same time as zinc can reduce zinc absorption. Vitamin C can increase the absorption of nonheme (inorganic, or synthetic) iron.

Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, weakness, increased lactic acid production, inability to maintain a constant body temperature in cold conditions, learning disabilities, brittle and spoon shaped nails, loss of taste sensitivity, sores at the corner of the mouth, and sore tongue. Iron deficient animals show changes in nerve myelination, this may be related to the slower auditory (hearing) and optic (vision) impulses to the brain of iron deficient children. People suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome often have low iron levels in certain brain areas OR are deficient in tyrosine (an amino acid) because iron and tyrosine are both needed to synthesize dopamine (a neurotransmitter). And, an iron deficiency can reduce thyroid hormone output and make it hard to lose weight. Ironically, to fully correct an iron deficiency, vitamin A is sometimes needed. But, in order to convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, we need active thyroid hormone. Yet, the output of thyroid hormone is reduced with an iron deficiency. It’s a vicious circle. Therefore those with hypothyroidism and an iron deficiency should take vitamin A as retinol. A high carb, low meat diet, ulcers, and excess aspirin use can all contribute to iron deficiency.

Although iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in both the United States and the world, excess iron can be dangerous. Accidental iron overdose is the biggest cause of fatalities due to poisoning in children under the age of six. Excess iron is also hard on the liver (especially if copper is deficient). Iron in prenatal vitamins has been linked to jaundice in newborn babies. Excess iron has also been linked to increased risk of heart attack. And, people with Parkinson’s disease often have excess iron in their brains.Finally, iron can “feed” infectious agents like malaria, TB, and viruses.

Boron is believed to help raise estrogen and testosterone levels. This may be beneficial for menopausal symptoms. It may also reduce calcium loss and improve vitamin D use thus helping preventosteoporosis. It might also help with osteoarthritis, concentration, and hand-eye coordination.

Copper helps control uric acid levels, cholesterol, and sugar. It is necessary for bone strength (via collagen - deficiency is linked to osteoporosis), healing, red and white blood cell (neutrophils) production, helps the heart function, and can be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica.

It is also needed to produce super oxide dismutase (SOD), an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, scar reducing enzyme. Too much copper is as bad as too little and copper should be kept in the correct ratio with zinc (8 zinc to 1 copper). High fructose sweeteners deplete copper levels. Zinc, vitamin C, and Iron reduce Cu absorption.

Copper is needed for cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria to make ATP and cytochrome c oxidase is also needed to make the phospholipids in the myelin sheath of nerves. Copper is also needed to convert dopamine to norepinephrine and, another copper enzyme acts on the amino acid tyrosine. to form melanin pigment in our skin, hair, and even our eyes. Remember, Cu is also needed to prevent iron deficiency anemia yet iron can interfere with Cu absorption. A high copper to zinc ratio (opposite the healthy ratio) has been implicated in some cases of depression and schizophrenia, as well as some migraine cases. Copper can constrict blood vessels and too high of levels can damage the eyes. Excess levels are often seen in macular degeneration. In addition, higher levels are often seen with PMS, birth control pill intake, breast cancer, lymphoma, and some leukemias.

Chromium is probably the most beneficial mineral when dealing with insulin resistance. By helping to control blood sugar due to insulin resistance, chromium can help other conditions like: hypoglycemia, obesity, multiple sclerosis, migraines, seizures, diabetes, etc. Low chromium levels makes the body crave sugars. Unfortunately, the more sugar we eat, the more chromium we use up to metabolize it so we end up in a downward spiral. Chromium can also help lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol while lowering total cholesterol. This might point to dietary sugar as a bigger factor that dietary fat in cholesterol levels. And, over 60% of hypertension (high blood pressure) cases might be the result of hyperinsulinemia (too much insulin released into the blood) or insulin resistance. That’s because the “repeated rise and fall of blood sugar apparently stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate blood pressure.” (Atkins, p.147) Chromium also helps arterial health, possibly helps acne, and increases DHEA (hormone precursor). Iron and chromium compete for binding sites. Vitamin C helps Cr uptake.Supplemental chromium is a trivalent form which does not work like the Industrial, carcinogenic (cancer causing), hexavalent chromium.

Germanium possibly increases oxygen delivery in the body and may have

anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti- candida yeast qualities. Germanium helps the

immune system and works like an anti-oxidant against free radicals. It also

helps the body rid itself of toxins. Some germanium forms can carry 6 oxygen

atoms as opposed to only 4 carried by iron. Since cancer cells need an

anaerobic (without oxygen) environment, this explains germanium’s ability to

fight cancer. Only organic Germanium-132 is considered safe.

Iodine is needed by the thyroid to prevent hypothyroidism and goiter (an

enlargement of the thyroid). Iodine is essential to thyroid hormones, our

immune system, brain function, hormonal balance, growth and development

(through thyroid hormone receptors in cell nuclei which regulate gene

expression), and reproduction. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of

preventable brain damage worldwide. In addition, thyroid hormone is

responsible for producing myelin in the central nervous system in the fetus and

newborn. Because iodine is needed to convert estradiol to the healthier estriol

form of estrogen, it can help with endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, & fibroids.

Babies born with hypothyroidism due to a mother’s deficiency can suffer

from cretinism, a condition involving mental retardation, possible deafness, and

short stature.

Iodine deficiency is often associated with selenium, another extremely

important mineral. Selenium is needed in an enzyme that converts inactive T4

thyroid hormone into the active T3 form. Vitamin A or iron deficiencies might

also add to the problems of iodine deficiency.

Excessive intake of iodine can be toxic.

Lithium is sometimes used to treat bi-polar disorder (manic-depressive) and

depression. Lithium affects the concentration of serotonin and tryptophan

(which affect mood) in the brain. Lithium can also increase the production of

white blood cells (WBC’s) but can cause hypothyroidism if taken regularly.

Lithium can also cause an aversion to the taste of alcohol. Too much lithium

can damage the kidneys and cause other serious side effects.

Manganese is needed for manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)

which is the primary anti-oxidant used by the cell’s mitochondria. The

mitochondria are susceptible to oxidative stress due to the processes involved

in the making of ATP. Mn is essential to enzymes needed for glucogenesis

(the making of glucose from other substances, like protein). And, Mn is needed

by an enzyme that helps the liver detoxify urea produced from amino acid

(protein) metabolism. Mn is also needed for the production of healthy collagen

(wound healing and arterial tissue strength)), cartilage and bone (it is in

glucosamine which is highly touted for bone/joint health). And, it protects

against damage caused by an excess of iron.

Mn and Iron compete for absorption from the gut. A Mn deficiency may

cause problems with growth, bones (osteoporosis), carbohydrate and lipid

(triglyceride and cholesterol control) metabolism, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and

skin rashes. Low Mn levels are also associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and

multiple sclerosis. Diabetics often only have 50% of the Mn levels of “normal”

individuals. Asthmatics tend to have only 25% of the Mn levels in healthy folks.

Mn inhalation can cause neurological problems such as hallucinations,

irritability, aggression and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Molybdenum is needed for purine base (DNA) metabolism. It can be used to fight sulfite allergies and other chemical sensitivities. It helps the body rid itself of toxins via cell purification. And, it can alleviate the brain fog associated with Candida albicans infection as well as relieving arthritis, asthma, and seizures in newborns. It’s also needed for energy and hemoglobin production. Molybdenum is needed to metabolize proteins, sucrose and fructose. Too much sugar in the diet therefore depletes the mineral. Low levels are associated with tooth decay, non-gouty arthritis (uric acid build-up), and

esophageal cancer. Excess copper intake increases molybdenum excretion and excess Mo decreases copper in the body. Selenium is important to cancer prevention. It helps strengthen the immune system and is important for the formation of the anti-oxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. In this way, it helps protect us from hardening of the arteries, cataracts, and rheumatoid arthritis. It also protects against heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury which can damage the heart. Mercury is also notorious for blocking iodine receptor sites for thyroid hormone. And, selenium is needed to convert inactive thyroid hormone to the active form.

People suffering from multiple sclerosis are often found to have high levels

of toxic metals and low levels of their adversary, selenium. Selenium also

plays a role in preventing neural tube defects (spina bifida). Mothers low in

selenium are also more likely to have offspring with symptoms of cystic

fibrosis (Wallach). And, people suffering from AIDS show a direct correlation

between their symptoms and selenium levels. The lower the selenium, the

worse their symptoms; the higher the selenium, the better their health.

Selenium works like many of the AIDS drugs, it blocks reverse transcriptase,

preventing viral replication of retroviruses. Ironically, most viruses need

selenium to replicate BUT if selenium is absent, they mutate into more

dangerous strains!

Although selenium is associated with a HUGE 52% decrease in prostate

cancer and a 33% reduction of all cancers in men and it can help asthma,

psoriasis (applied topically, to the skin) and all of the things mentioned earlier,

too much is toxic. Excess amounts can lead to hair and nail loss, garlic

smelling breath, rashes, and even death at higher doses.

Silicon is needed by the skin, hair, and nails. It is very similar to carbon

because it can form long chains but the bonds are stronger. Silicon is the

structural base for collagen and is found in high quantities in cartilage, tendons,

arteries, and even in the cornea and sclera (white part) of the eye. Both

chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid are used to strengthen collagen and

joints, both are high in silicon. The silicon in arteries declines with age or

atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), silicon increases elasticity.

Some studies have shown that chondroitin sulfate, with its high silicon

levels, reduces joint pain, symptoms of heart disease, and cholesterol.

Silicon binds to cholesterol preventing it from entering the bloodstream and

helping with its elimination. High fiber diets, when the fiber is not primarily from

cellulose, contain high silicon levels. This might explain why high fiber diets, of

the right type of fiber, can reduce cholesterol and atherosclerosis as well as

arthritis (silicon is a component of the fluid that lubricates our joints). Silicon

also helps our bones utilize calcium for stronger bones and faster healing after

breaks.

Vanadium lowers blood sugar (reducing insulin need in diabetics) by acting like insulin helping cells absorb glucose. It also reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in animals. It appears to help both type I and II diabetes and hypoglycemia. Vanadium is also helpful for fat metabolism and bone formation.

Vanadium stimulates an enzyme that helps convert fat to coenzyme A. Lower rates of heart disease are seen in areas where soil is rich in vanadium. Zinc is found in almost 100 enzymes. Zinc is important to cell membrane structure and function. Zinc also binds to DNA to influence gene transcription. Hormone release and nerve transmission also depend on zinc. And, cell apoptosis (programmed death - important in cancer prevention) seems to require zinc. Diabetics and AIDS victims are often found to be low in zinc. Zinc helps in the production of insulin and helps lower cholesterol in diabetics. Zinc is essential to the immune system, although excessive amounts can lower immune response. It is also needed for wound healing, prostate health, progesterone and sperm production, and prevention of macular degeneration. Acne sometimes responds well to zinc treatment. Anorexics and bulimics can be helped by zinc when they are ready to try to gain weight. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused by zinc deficiency in the fetus due to alcohol increasing urinary excretion. Zinc deficient fetuses often are born with joined toes or fingers and hydrocephalus (excess brain fluid). Zinc deficiency during pregnancy causes stretch marks. Vitamin B6 increases zinc absorption but many minerals can decrease absorption. White lines across the fingernails can indicate a zinc deficiency.