We are ultimately made of the earth. The same chemical elements found in soil make up our bodies. Our nutrition comes from plants and animals who get their food either directly or indirectly from the soil. It is our mineral-deficient soils that are likely causing a majority of our modern health issues. Food crops grown on depleted soils produce malnourished bodies that then fall prey to all sorts of diseases. When we lack minerals, we lack vitamins, because minerals are catalysts to absorbing vitamins. “99% of the American people are deficient in minerals, and a marked deficiency in any one of the more important minerals actually results in disease.” (source – Senate Document 264 74th Congress, 1936 ) Australia is no different.

How do Mineral Deficiencies occur?

• Soil Depletion is the the number one reason that most people are mineral deficient..  Even organically grown vegetables can be lacking in minerals as organic farming addresses mainly the application of pesticides and chemicals to crops.  It is important to consume produce that has been grown via the bio-dynamic system that practices crop rotation and soil supplementation

• Pharmaceutical Drugs – almost all drugs (if not all) deplete the body in some way of nutrients eg, Birth control pills – create excess copper in the body and deplete magnesium and zinc, along with numerous other vitamins. Copper toxicity is a primary cause of miscarriage and susceptibility to postpartum depression

• Coffee – calcium/magnesium are lost in our urine with coffee. It’s a diuretic so causes the loss of potassium and sodium as well

• Alcohol - speeds up the excretion of magnesium through the kidneys. It can also deplete, calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, potassium and chromium

• Soft drink consumption – contains excess phosphorous which leads to reduced body storage of calcium because they compete for absorption in the intestines

• Sugar - for every molecule of sugar our bodies use 54 molecules of magnesium to process it. Sugar also depletes magnesium, potassium and robs your bones of minerals in general

• Stress- depletes magnesium and B vitamins

• The Standard Western Diet – the typical diet of minimal fresh foods, higher amounts of refined and processed foods, foods grown on poor/depleted soils, excess phosphorous in these foods depletes calcium and has been shown to cause bone loss.

• Pregnancy - if mother is already low in mineral stores she will become further depleted as her body uses significant nutrients to build a healthy baby. Iron is one common mineral deficiency in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Mr Vitamins Recommends:

A great way to ensure you are getting a wide array of minerals is by a whole foods, properly prepared nutrient dense diet. To ensure you are getting the full spectrum of minerals, do yourself a huge favour and add Amenas Sea Minerals to your diet. Sea Minerals are a rich source of concentrated minerals and trace elements derived naturally from ocean waters at a pristine location near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Sea water is collected in specifically designed ponds where it is allowed to slowly concentrate. By utilising solar evaporation and precipitation a dense solution of rich macro and trace minerals slowly starts to develop.   Most of the sodium is naturally extracted. The remaining liquid is further naturally concentrated leaving a mineral laden, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial solution. Available from the Mr Vitamins Retail Store Talk to Grace Yau in the store at 324 Victoria Avenue or 'ask a naturopath' there or at the 394 store for further help and recommendations on which product is right for you.