Mineral and Water FunctionMineral and Water FunctionSCI 241October 12, 2012Minerals are the spark plugs of life, the tool required to activate thousands of enzyme reactions within the body. Whereas plants manufacture vitamins, minerals are obtained from the soil. We depend on the bodys ability to utilize minerals because minerals activate enzymes. Minerals work in balance with one another as well as with the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins. When one mineral is excessive, it steals from others, thereby causing a chain-reaction of deficiencies (Alternative Medicine, 2012).
We know that it is important to provide ourselves with mineral nutrients but few really understand the reasons why. Although vitamins and minerals are very different, it is essential that our bodies receive both. All vitamins contain carbon so are considered to be organic substances. Minerals on the other hand do not contain carbon and are therefore classified as inorganic. There are two categories of minerals which are major minerals and trace minerals. Inside the body, vitamins and minerals play many important roles. Whereas the body can continue to function without getting the recommended daily allotments of some vitamins, a mineral deficiency can lead to death.
In order to make the hemoglobin found in red blood cells, the body needs iron. In order to build strong teeth and bones, the body needs calcium. Calcium is also crucial for the proper functioning of the kidneys, muscles, and nerves. Without adequate levels of Iodine, the thyroid gland cannot perform its most important task which is to produce energy. Magnesium, selenium, and zinc are antioxidants and some of their responsibilities include helping to heal wounds, helping the skeletal system develop properly, and protecting cell membranes. Chromium helps keep arteries clear.
Minerals come from the ground, making their way into the body by way of the foods that grow from the ground and the animals that survive off the land. Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, dairy products, grains, legumes are some of are the primary sources of the minerals bodies need to survive (Healthy Living Answers, 2012). We often think of red meats as good sources of minerals. They are, but some healthy foods, such as sweet potatoes, salmon and pumpkin seeds have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals, with less fat, cholesterol, and calories. Low-fat dairy products also represent better sources of good nutrition than high-fat meats. That is the balance that health officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture encourage us to have in our diets. Increasing and monitoring intake of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, along with making sure to get adequate essential minerals, such as sodium, chloride, iron, and zinc. Many healthy foods contain high
s. If our health care providers want to help us get the most from our healthy foods, they can do so with our health care practitioners. The goal is to maintain a balanced and well-balanced diet, balanced by the essential nutrients and minerals required to produce good health.
Obesity is a major cause of the obesity epidemic from 1996 to 2007, as well as more recent trends that have accelerated a decline seen in dietary cholesterol, the rate of diabetes and the rate of cancer. The number of people growing obese has not increased significantly since the 1960s.
It is often assumed that health care providers need health care in order to be effective in all aspects of their care, not just to control individuals’ health. However, a wide range of health care providers who help people reduce their weight and those who help us achieve our health goals will make an informed choice. They may make these decisions because they have a clear understanding of what is appropriate, what is not, and what is not working for the person making them. In the medical market, there is much debate on what to do about the obesity epidemic, but the primary purpose of health care providers who help people in any way is that they take care of the person (i.e., the person’s health care practitioner) to the extent possible (Healthy Living Answers, 2012). It is hard to see how it makes sense to treat a patient with obesity, even if there is an underlying lifestyle that makes sense for such an individual. We are dealing with a patient-centered approach to medical services today. To make health care providers understand what they need care for, they must act within a well-defined and understandable framework to help them get the most from their patients.
The following video presents data from the 2012 Food and Nutrition Service Report. The data were collected June 2, 2012, for three categories: “Fruit and vegetables,” which include nuts, seeds, melons, pulses, eggs, and whole grains. In this section we will examine some of the health care provider reports to date. Each year we examine the data by type and by type of food. We will look at some of the health care providers in each category, but we also show the main health care organizations that participated in the previous reporting.
Seed Sources of Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is the predominant vitamin that is present in some foods. Vitamin B12 is also found in fruits and vegetables. Most fruits and vegetables contain vitamin B12, but some vegetables contain it as little as 2 percent of the calories ingested. Most nuts contain at least some B12, and other vegetables such as seeds and nuts contain the vitamin B12 in as little as 5%, which may be higher. B vitamins are present in a lot of things – as part of their carbohydrate breakdown, for example. We will use the fruits and vegetables shown above for the source of vitamin B12, but for those who eat only red fruit or seeds, we also include the whole grain foods. There are also many vegetables that can contain vitamin B12 even if you would think them to be more nutrient dense. The following foods are important to note that may include, but are not limited to red, processed, whole grain foods and blueberries, as well as apples and vegetables. Foods for Vegetable Sources of Nutrients Vitamin B12 is present in the common foods in many foods. In some healthy foods such as almonds, walnuts, white rice, and quinoa, it is necessary to have all other nutrients and fiber in addition to B12. In whole grains, it is necessary to have all other nutrients and fiber in addition to B12. The following foods are usually high in vitamin B12. Fruit (especially fresh fruits and vegetables) offers good sources of all the vitamins and minerals necessary to sustain or provide adequate vitamin B12. Fruit