Our body relies on minerals to support life-sustaining functions. However, our food is no longer mineral-rich mainly due to a depletion in topsoil mineral content. Unless farming practices change and growers replenish the mineral contents of their soils, harvested foods will continue to decrease in nutrient content.
While we wait for change to occur, here are other ways to get your minerals.
Try IV Mineral Therapy
Similar to what you'd receive at the hospital if you were admitted for dehydration or excessive alcohol consumption, IV therapy to replenish minerals that have been expelled from your body is quickly becoming popular. There are now clinics in big cities and spas that use IV mineral treatments for various ailments, and to increase the body's hydration level.
A medical physician or registered nurse administers an intravenous (IV) line into your vein and connects it to a drip bag containing a mix of fluid, vitamins and minerals. These treatments are used to support energy levels and replenish deficiencies quickly.
Another benefit of IV therapy is that it bypasses the absorption challenges of the intestines by placing the minerals directly into the bloodstream. This makes IV treatments superior to oral supplementation and some people can benefit more from having an IV administered once or twice a month rather than taking a pill every day.
Consider Cell Salts
A homeopathic supplement alternative to traditional mineral supplements, cell salts are made from 12 minerals essential to our bodies, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron and silica, among others. These "salts" come in the form of liquid or quick-dissolving tablets (you can dissolve them under your tongue or mix them into water) that are easily absorbed by the body. Bioplasma is a combination of 12 mineral cell salts vital to celluar health & function.
They are used to bring balance to the body's cells that control its health and function. They are generally considered safe to take, as are most homeopathic remedies.
Take Daily Supplements
Supplements in pill form are the most common way to add minerals and vitamins into your diet. You can find just about any nutrient you want in this form nowadays but you want to make sure you’re taking the right ones to really reap the benefits. Consult with your doctor to make sure you aren’t taking any pills that conflict with each other or aren’t necessary for your specific needs. Here's a mineral cheat sheet.
When purchasing minerals, they come in two forms: inorganic and chelated.
- Inorganic: When you take an inorganic version like magnesium oxide or iron sulfate, it has to compete with other minerals for absorption, which may not give you the full effect.
- Chelated: When supplements are chelated (bound) to a protein (amino acid), there is no competition for absorption and they have an easier path to travel through the wall of your intestines and into your bloodstream. To find chelated versions, look for the words ‘glycinate’ or ‘aspartate’ in the product name or on the ingredient label. I love this mineral only supplement: Bio-M for women and Bio-M for men and postmenopausal women.
Visit A Juice Bar
Juice bars are all the rage, and there’s always a green option. Yum! The bright green color is from a plant pigment called chlorophyll, and these wellness “shots” are praised for their ability to support energy levels and support healthy immune function.
In particular, spirulina is a type of blue-green algae, and has been deemed one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth. It’s high in minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium.
You can purchase pure spirulina powder, or a blend of various greens, which deliver a full spectrum of green superfoods.
Spend Time At A Spa
Minerals have long been a part of spa therapy. In fact, the first spas – centuries ago – were built around natural springs, sea waters or thermal lakes due to the health benefits of the naturally occurring minerals within.
Baths, salt scrubs and mineral lotions are all mineral-rich options at many spas. Magnesium is one mineral well-absorbed by the skin. It’s responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in our body, but over 80 percent of Americans are deficient in it. Could you be deficient? Soaking in a magnesium-rich bath or massaging it into your skin is a very effective way to absorb magnesium into the body.
Dead-sea bath-salt solutions support healthy skin and can significantly increase levels of Bromine, Calcium and Zinc.
Use Mineral-rich Skincare Products
Studies have proven using minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, helps maintain great skin. In the spa world, mineral-rich salts are one of the fastest growing trends, including salt scrubs that refine skin while also promoting total body relaxation.
Minerals Matter,
Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods