Good health is something that is important to everyone, regardless of where they are located, what they do for a living or anything else. We all want to feel fit and full of energy, ready to tackle whatever the day throws at us. No one wakes in the morning hoping to feel tired, sick and exhausted.
However, there are always moments in our life when we do get sick, whether it’s from something such as a simple cold or flu, to something more serious such as food poisoning, or any other type of health condition that is going to need medical assistance.
The winter months are especially difficult for lots of people, with the flu season in full swing, and now we are also dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, which is affecting people all over the world.
What are mineral nutrients?
It’s a common fact that we need a daily source of different types of vitamins, nutrients and minerals that can help with our health and immune system. One very important substance that we need are mineral nutrients, which are sometimes referred to as dietary minerals or elements.
Mineral nutrients are not exactly the same as minerals, which is why they are classed as elements, and are natural substances found on our planet in water and soil. Some of the most important elements in terms of our health include sodium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, fluoride, iron and potassium.
We are also as dependent on non-mineral nutrients as well such as oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, which are nutrients that are in water and the air we breathe.
The importance of Mineral Nutrients
They are very important for the structure of our skeleton and teeth, and are an essential element of the body’s fluids and tissues, required for a properly functioning enzyme system. It’s not an understatement to say that nearly all of our bodily functions are dependent on the consumption of mineral nutrients.
There are a number of places such as the Medicross Labs, where you can take a test to check your mineral nutrient levels and see if you need to increase anything in particular or start taking supplements.
Below we will take a look at some of the most important reasons why we should be paying close attention to our daily intake of mineral nutrients and why they are essential to our overall health.
They can help boost your immune system
Our immune system is a very important part of our body and is what protects us from infection and illness. It is a very complicated internal network consisting of tissues, cells and organs, with substances that help the body to fight off illness and germs.
There are a number of vitamins such as A, C and D, as well as zinc, that can all help boost the immune system and help fight off infection. Vitamin C is one of the most important and something that can consume through fruits and vegetables. It is a powerful antioxidant and can also help your skin and bones.
A well balanced diet can help you get all the daily vitamins that your body needs, which will play an important role in helping your immune system, keeping viruses, germs and infections at bay.
They promote development and growth
One of the most important aspects of mineral nutrients is that they play a very important role in our growth and development. Vitamin D is a very important nutrient that helps to keep develop strong bones and promote good growth.
Without it, our bones may be fragile and painful, as well as making us feel very tired with weak muscles. Research into the importance of the vitamin has shown that those individuals who may have a deficiency in vitamin D have links to various types of cancers, autoimmune diseases and the increased risk of stroke or heart disease.
They can help prevent birth defects
When a woman is pregnant, her body will be working overtime and will need vitamins and minerals for more than one individual. There have been a number of studies over the years that have shown the importance of taking additional supplements of the most important minerals and vitamins during the pregnancy period.
Some studios have also shown that taking folic acid supplements, especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and even before if a woman is trying to get pregnant, can help to prevent birth defects, which are known as neural tube defects, such as spinal and brain defects in their offspring.
Folate is a vitamin that is found naturally in various types of food such as green leafy vegetables, and is a member of the Vitamin B group, which is important for healthy growth and development.
Healthy cognitive and motor development
There are a number of minerals that play an important role in the continued healthy motor and cognitive development. One such mineral is iron, which is vital in helping oxygen travel throughout the body. If your iron intake is low, you may suffer from anemia, which can negatively affect your immune function, as well as causing you to experience fatigue as well as pains in your intestinal system.
If your iron levels are low, then you can start increasing your daily intake through various foods such as lean meat or seafood, legumes, cereals or products made with grain. Additionally, you should be able to pick up some daily iron supplements from your local pharmacist.
Strong and healthy teeth
As mentioned earlier, mineral nutrients are a very important element in having a strong, healthy skeletal structure, and our teeth are a vital part of that.
Good health and healthy gums and mouth are very important to our health, and the mineral fluoride is one that promotes strong bone formation, as well as maintaining strong and healthy teeth. Calcium is also a very important mineral for bones and especially teeth, as it can help to strengthen the enamel that covers and protects them.
There are various things that we can do to help keep out teeth and mouth healthy, such as regular brushing every morning and evening, using mouthwash, and also avoid sugary foods and drinks that can gradually start to rot away your teeth.
Our mouths are much more than just our teeth, and healthy gums are vital in not only strong teeth, but also for preventing gum disease, which has been proven through various studies to have a strong link with heart disease.