Plant foods are synthesized from the minerals in the earth. When we eat these foods we re-absorb them into the body.
It is therefore important that the soils that grow our food are rich and abundant in the elements we need to support our overall health and vitality.
Minerals offer a stability and grounding quality that feed our bodies all the essential ingredients to a healthy
long life.
They are important pieces of the body puzzle that help provide for it's natural functioning, providing a web that bonds the physical structure of the cells together and the energetic communication between them.
The body requires both minerals and trace minerals to function at optimal levels. A major of the nutrient intake comes from the major bulk minerals.
Eating a
raw food diet
ensures not only that your are definitely getting your supply but also that the minerals are not being cooked out of your food. Essential nutrients are contained in the water of the foods we eat.
Top Mineral Guide:
1) Calcium
Helps to build bones, regulates muscle contractions, aids in absorption of Vit B12, activates lipase enzyme which splits fat molecules, and maintains nerve structure.
Sources: almonds, algaes, broccoli, beans,bee pollen,brazil nuts, carob, dandelion greens, goji,hemp seed,figs,kefir,hazelnuts, green leafy vegetables,miso,sesame seeds,spirulina,sunflower sprouts, and seaweed.
2) Phosphorus
A necessary component to regulate energy metabolism for vital organs. It is nerve building and strengthening and promotes mental clarity.
It stimulates bone and hair growth and is an ingredient that makes up DNA and RNA. It is usually found in excess in Western diets however, which can decrease calcium levels.
Needed in small amounts for the synthesis of nitrogen. Provides for a healthy cell structure and sex drive.
Sources: beans and sprouted beans, green cabbage, green leafy vegetables, spinach.
11) Selenium
Promotes cell formation and growth. Protects the immune system against free radicals and prevents the oxidation of fats.
Sources:alfalfa leaf, brazil nuts, burdock root, cabbage, chickweed, fennel, fenugreek sprouts, goji, ginseng, raw honey,horsetail, green leafy vegetables, oatstraw, raspberry leaf, seaweeds, super sprouts.
12) Zinc
A necessary mineral for cell regeneration, tissue growth and repair. Helps in energy metabolism and provides for the production of sex hormones and immune system strength. Protects the prostate.
Sources: alfalfa leaf, beans, bee pollen, burdock, cacao, kelp, goji, green leafy vegetables, milk thistle seeds, mushrooms, nettles, onions, nuts and seeds, rye, sarsaparilla, all super sprouts.
13) Potassium
Helps to maintain blood pressure and regulates cellular fluids and nutrient equilibrium. Good for muscle contractions and tissue elasticity.
Sources: avocados, beans, cabbage, dulse, figs, green leafy vegetable, horsetail, nettles, red clover, sprouts and sprout juicing, red peppers, spinach.
14) Sodium
Helps regulate movement of fluids in and out of body cells. It purifies the blood, transmits nerve impulses, regulates blood pressure and relax muscles.
Sources: celery, dark greens, garbanzo beans, olives, seaweed, wheatgrass.
15) Silicon
Increases collagen production, which causes an increase in bone flexibility and calcium needed to maintain strong bones, ligaments and healthy joints.
Important for a healthy hair, skin and nails. It also helps maintain oxygen balance for proper brain function. It rids the body of parasites and improves skin elasticity and tissue regeneration.
Juicing
is the sure, quick fire way to get immediate, easily to absorb mineral nutrition into the body. Most food sources in our guide, if you've noticed, all have one thing in common: green leafy vegetables and seaweeds.
These are the foods we would start with for severe nutrient exhaustion. And start juicing twice or three times a day!
Another one of my favorite ways that will immediately remineralize the body is by adding, the seaweed, kelp to your diet.
I add about 1-2 teaspoons of kelp granules to my raw soups or make a nourishing seaweed soup with miso and shitake for an extra mineral boost when I need it.
Soil Depletion:
Over time, nutrients get lost by unhealthy farming practices that cause soil erosion and mineral deficient crops.
It is important that you know the sources of your food. Either by growing them yourself or buying local organic produce.
Together with soil depletion and environmental changes that can stress our immune system, it is best to go for the most nutrient dense foods and herbs you can find!!