Minerals
A healthy body needs minerals as well as vitamins!
Your body needs certain minerals that help do a number of important things including regulating cell function, strengthening bones and teeth, and helping the body release energy from the food it eat.
Although these minerals are important, keep in mind the amount generally recommended is quite small, and excessive amounts can be toxic to the body.
Below you will find information on the benefits of some of the most essential minerals, and the foods which contain them.
Potassium:
- Helps to send oxygen to the brain
- Helps to lower blood pressure
- Helps to keep the muscles in your body to maintain the right amount of water and not cramping
Sources of Potassium:
| Avocado | Watercress | Tomatoes |
| Sunflower Seeds | Lentils | Bananas |
| Potatoes (keep their skins on) | Broccoli | Dried Fruit |
Calcium:
- Helps to keeps teeth healthy
- Helps to make the bones strong
- Can help to lessen ones chance of certain cancers, such as colon cancer
- Helps to prevent bone loss
Sources of Calcium:
| Almonds | Collard Greens | Brazil Nuts |
| Broccoli | Mustard Greens | Kale |
| Turnip Greens | Dried Figs |
Iron:
- Helps to prevent anemia
- Helps to fight fatigue
- Helps to regulate cell growth
- Helps the immune system to stay strong
Sources of Iron:
| Tofu | Black eyed peas | Spinach |
| Lentils | Oatmeal | Asparagus |
| Pumpkin Seeds | Molasses |
Magnesium:
- Helps digestion process
- Promotes energy
- Helps to burn fat
- Helps the muscles and nerves of the body to function properly
- Helps to keep bone strong
Sources of Magnesium:
| Kelp | Brown Rice | Bananas | Peanuts |
| Peanut Butter | Potatoes | Cashews | Almonds |
| Spinach | Soybeans | Wheat Germ | |
The Omega's 3 & 6 Fatty Acids:
- Helps to keep the skin healthy
- Helps to change bad cholesterol by lowering it
- Fights acne
- Helps to keep hair and nails healthy
Sources of Omega's 3 & 6 Fatty Acids:
| Pumpkin Seeds | Flaxseeds | Flaxseed Oil | |
| Borage Oil | Walnuts | Hemp Seeds | |
| Black Current Seed Oil | |||
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