Minerals: How important are they for our health?
As you get more comfortable with an acid alkaline diet, you can start to incorporate other concepts into your eating habits. One of these concepts is to ensure you are getting all the proper nutrients!
In a similar way to any other complex machine, our bodies need the right kind of fuel in order to function properly. Minerals play an essential role as far as this goes so it is important that we learn about them and how they help us to live healthy lives.
For the most part, our bodies are made up of water carrying all manner of substances throughout the vessels. This can be likened to passengers traveling along on a bus. Upon arrival at the location where they are needed, substances such as minerals, amino and fatty acids, hormones and vitamins pass through the vessel lining and take up position in the organs and cells.
So, why are minerals so important? The reason we need minerals in our bodies is all about electrolyte imbalance. Taking a general view, minerals are present in the fluid which makes up cells. Electrolytes are the minerals and mineral salts present such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and sodium, the majority of which are actively involved in muscle, tissue and bone building.
If we do not have enough minerals in our bodies, changes begin to occur. When certain minerals are in short supply it would not be unusual to experience pain in the lower back, a poor skin texture, a brittleness of the finger and toe nails, a weakness in your hair, and maybe dental, heart and depression problems.
Let’s take a look at iron. Iron forms hemoglobin in the blood. It is the mineral which is responsible for blood being red in color and it transports oxygen to the various cells of our bodies. A low level of iron is often the reason why females feel tired during their menstrual cycle when they lose quite a lot of blood.
There are several foods we need on a daily basis which supply the necessary minerals and vitamins to the body and by eating a variety of these foods we can rest assured that our mineral and vitamin intake is as it should be. For example, iron is provided by animal products like chicken, fish and red meat, and seafood not only gives us iron but many other essentials, namely, calcium, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. Seeds and nuts contain selenium too.
An assortment of metabolic processes is driven by minerals working alongside enzymes. When minerals are taken into the tissues of the body they play their part in regulating everything from muscle growth to nerve function. The federal government has come up with an RDA (recommended daily allowance) of the minerals and vitamins we need to keep the body functioning in good working order.
Where else can these minerals be found? For those who don’t eat red meat and fish, the good news is that fruit and vegetables are a great source of minerals. Citrus fruits and berries are just what’s needed for the necessary intake of calcium, copper and iron just as the leafy green variety of vegetables will supply us with copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus.
Experiencing the unwanted effects of not getting enough minerals will be a thing of the past as long as a variety of the above mentioned foods are eaten on a regular basis. And they fit very nicely with an acid alkaline balanced diet 
Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
June 18, 2009 by Admin
Filed under IBS - Free Content
IBS, a disorder which is most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists, affects people of all ages and ethnicities. However, women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to experience the condition, although researchers are still unsure as to why. IBS in women is often associated with their menstrual cycle, although it can occur at any time.
“Irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function, and the word “syndrome” indicates that there are a number of signs rather than one exclusive symptom that characterizes the condition. While everyone may have an occasional disturbance of the bowel and its functioning from time to time, people afflicted with IBS experience more severe symptoms that are frequent and occur on a regular basis.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary in intensity and location, although the lower abdomen is where the most “activity” occurs. IBS is characterized by a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gas-like cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns. Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also commonly reported symptoms of IBS.
25-50% of IBS patients also report that they experience regular heartburn along with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Many people suffering with IBS also report a number of signs that are non-gastrointestinal in nature such as muscle pain, sexual dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Lower backaches and headaches are also commonly reported symptoms from those with severe cases of IBS.
The symptoms of IBS are likely to mimic those of many other disorders, which is why a proper diagnosis by a physician is essential. Clinical tests that depend on factors such as your age, overall health, your family history, as well as your reoccurring symptoms can be conducted to rule out other conditions. Symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain are NOT signs of IBS and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
The signs or symptoms of IBS occur due to a disturbance in function between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, which is why IBS is classified as a “functional” disorder. People suffering from the condition appear to have no physical signs of disease such as structural abnormalities that can be detected by medical tests.
Experts believe that there is a disorder or some form of miscommunication between the interactions of the brain and the intestinal system, which ultimately affects movement and the sensitivity of nerves in the intestines in people with IBS. The brain and the autonomic nervous system are responsible for regulating the bowel and its functioning which is one of the ways we know that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.
While there is no cure for IBS, there are a number of effective ways of controlling or even eliminating the symptoms of the condition such as diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements, hypnosis and drug therapy including laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants. With proper diagnosis and treatment it is possible to lead a normal, productive life even with IBS.
By: Sarah Munn
About the Author:
For more information on irritable bowel syndrome visit Conquer IBS — a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on alleviating IBS symptoms through proper dieting.
