Minerals
[ PLANKTON NUTRIENTS ]
IODINE
Iodine is one of the trace elements that our body needs. Our growth, our metabolism and our nervous system are dependant on the functioning of our thyroid gland. In order to produce the (thyroid) hormones that are required for the thyroid gland, Iodine is an essential mineral.
When people do not get sufficient iodine, the performance of the thyroid gland slows down and swells. Children may grow slower when having insufficient Iodine. Also, a lower learning ability and (in the case of very serious deficits) cretinism (dwarfism) may be the result of a too limited intake of this trace element.
Other symptoms of a deficiency in iodine are hair loss, flaky and dry skin, feeling cold and even feeling weak and fatigued. The most common symptom is a goitre in the neck area, caused by an overworked thyroid gland. For women, an iodine deficiency may also cause menstrual issues like a heavier and more irregular period and pregnant woman are at risk of stillbirth and a less developed fetus / baby.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is an important mineral for our body. That is why it is also regularly called a helper molecule. Magnesium is involved in more than 600 different reactions throughout the entire human body.
A magnesium deficiency can have negative consequences for your body and mind. During a magnesium deficiency, your muscles and bones won’t be able to develop as properly as normal, which leads to weakness. The efficiency of the pulse transfer between your nerves also lowers, so causing impulses to be weaker or nonexistent.
You can recognize a magnesium deficiency by the following symptoms: mental illness, fatigue, high blood pressure, migraine, worsened PMS, cramping and asthma. You also run the risk of osteoporosis. This means that your bones weaken and break and wear more easily.
SELENIUM
Selenium ((also known as Seleen) is an essential trace element that acts as an antioxidant within the body. It ensures good fertility, cognition and a proper immune system. In addition, it helps the DNA synthesis and hormone balance of the thyroid gland.
When you have a deficiency of selenium, your immune system works less well, so you are more likely to contract a viral infection. Men are also more at risk of having reduced sperm quality.
Symptoms of selenium deficiency include heart failure, impaired cognition, low immune system, impaired male fertility, muscle weakness and fatigue. Do you get a viral infection when you have a selenium deficiency? Then the symptoms of this are often more severe than in a person without deficiency.
ZINC
Zinc, also an antioxidant, is after iron the most common trace element in your body. It ensures the proper functioning of more than 300 different enzymes, all of which help with different processes such as your metabolism, nerves and digestion.
When you have a zinc deficiency, you quickly notice this in the functioning of your body. A zinc deficiency causes you to have a poorer infection resistance, and you run a greater risk of metabolic problems such as a decreased appetite and different smell and taste sensations.
A zinc deficiency can be recognized by the following symptoms: loss of appetite, acne, mood changes, different smell and taste sensations, poor vision, tinnitus, and reduced fertility. In addition, a shortage of zinc causes reduced wound healing, which can sometimes lead to problems.
IRON
If someone appears to be fatigued, the first suspect is an iron deficiency. With iron we're not just talking about your bike or a seat bracket. It also refers to an important nutrient that helps deliver top performance every day. A deficiency in this mineral may indeed lead to fatigue.
Our body needs iron to make haemoglobin. Haemoglobin has a key role in oxygen transport in our blood and in our metabolism. Haemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen and CO2 through the whole body by means or red blood cells. The iron in the haemoglobin causes the red blood cells to gain their colour. It provides our organs with the right amount of oxygen to function. A deficiency in iron can cause serious problems for your health.
A shortage of iron can cause a person to feel fatigued. An iron deficiency can also result in shortness of breath, hair loss, feeling cold, changes in the tongue, restless leg syndrome, headaches and paleness. In more severe cases, an iron deficiency leads to heart palpitations and murmurs and can even affect the cognitive functions of your brain like processing information and memory. Anemia is often the result of iron deficiency and goes paired with the above symptoms.
POTASSIUM
Potassium is an important element for the human body. It regulates the transport of impulses through the nerves. It also ensures good contraction and relaxation of the muscles, including the lungs and heart muscles.
When you have a potassium deficiency, the impulses between your nerve cells are reduced causing your muscles to respond less well to signals. In addition, your blood vessels can narrow making blood flow harder to achieve.
Symptoms of a potassium deficiency include shortness of breath, muscle cramps, tingling sensations, digestive problems, and mood swings. The most common symptom of potassium deficiency is fatigue.
MAGANESE
Manganese is a mineral nutrient that contains many antioxidant properties. It helps with processing multiple enzymes, strengthening the bones, and developing collagen. It is a mineral that is found in many types of food, so you will not be short of it quickly.
However, it may be possible to have a shortage of manganese, especially people with certain diseases. A deficiency soon ensures that your bones heal and strengthen less quickly. It also has an impact on female fertility.
You can recognize a manganese deficiency in the following symptoms: weakened bones, decreased fertility, worsened menstrual symptoms, skin rashes, decreased brain function, decreased thyroid function and epileptic seizures. In addition, people with manganese deficiency generally suffer from metabolic syndrome.
CALCIUM
Calcium is essential for our body. Not only does it help with the healthy development of our bones and teeth, but it also ensures a better night's sleep and state of mind. It helps our muscles and the transport of impulses through the nervous system.
The moment you have a shortage of calcium, the body has a small reserve that is emptied first. However, if the deficit lasts for a more extended period, you can suffer from both physical and mental symptoms.
Symptoms of a calcium deficiency include osteoporosis, a deteriorated state of mind, problems with your digestive system, deteriorated bone metabolism, sleeping problems, muscle cramps, palpitations, and brittle nails and hair. Also, it harms your teeth. Especially when you have suffered from calcium deficiency as a child.
PHOSPHATE
The mineral phosphate is also referred to as phosphorus. Phosphate is an essential mineral that we get from our food. It ensures a good transport of energy and oxygen through your body, and it acts as a building block for your enzymes. Besides, up to 85% of the phosphate is stored in your bones, making it essential for the health of your teeth and bones.
Phosphate works closely with calcium because they are both found in your bones. You will not quickly get a shortage of phosphate, but if you are severely deficient, you can experience this both on a physical and mental level.
Severe phosphate deficiency can cause the following symptoms: paresthesia, cognitive decline, muscle fatigue, tooth decay, loss of appetite, fatigue, and growth retardation. Also, in the case of a hereditary or autosomal condition, you can suffer from Rickets.
SULPHUR
Sulphur is a common mineral, also called sulphate, that is mainly found in our skin, bones, and muscle tissue. It acts as a building block for the antioxidant Glutathione, which has an anti-inflammatory function.
Sulphur is commonly found in animal products, but also in leafy green vegetables and legumes. A deficiency does not occur quickly, but when it does, it can have unpleasant consequences for your body.
A sulphur deficiency can be recognized by the following symptoms: weakened immune system, brittle nails, skin and hair, stiff limbs, tired muscles, more inflammation, joint pain, and allergies. In addition, a shortage of sulphur ensures that cancer cells can develop and spread more efficiently throughout the body. In most cases, administering supplements will help counteract these symptoms.