Dorothy FarrarMinerals (minerals)
Minerals and minerals are inorganic, chemical elements that the human body needs to maintain vital processes. The need for minerals depends, among other things, on individual factors, but also on external circumstances such as the climate or the altitude.
What are minerals (minerals)?
Contrary to the so-called trace elements , which only appear in very low concentrations in the body, minerals and minerals are present in relatively high concentrations. All minerals must be obtained from the diet as the body is unable to produce them itself.
Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, sodium, chlorine and magnesium are among the minerals that are present in the body in appropriate amounts. These minerals are primarily absorbed by the body through the ionized form dissolved in water, also known as electrolytes.
Essential building blocks of the body
Minerals perform important functions in the body. Calcium , for example, is an important building material for teeth and bones. In addition to magnesium , it is also an important factor in muscular contraction. Potassium and sodium fulfill functions in regulating the water balance in the human body and are necessary for the nerve transmission of stimuli. The mineral sulfur is involved in the synthesis of amino acids and hormones.
If you eat a balanced diet, you should actually provide your body with sufficient minerals. The preparation of some dishes is also particularly important. For example, if you cook vegetables for a long time, the minerals will float out into the cooking water, which is often poured off.
In addition, one-sided diets , high and regular sweat loss during sports, pregnancy or certain diseases cause the body to absorb too few minerals or excrete too many.
In individual cases, a dietary supplement with certain minerals can therefore make sense, since otherwise they can lead to a mineral deficiency in the long term, which has a negative effect on health.
However , carelessly taking supplements is not a solution either, as high concentrations of certain minerals are harmful to the body. A doctor should first be consulted, who can conduct tests to determine whether there really is a mineral deficiency.
Athletes need to compensate for electrolyte losses
Athletes in particular know the problem of high sweat loss and the associated leaching of minerals. This is especially true in the summer, when temperatures favor the loss of minerals. If this loss is particularly extreme and is not sufficiently counteracted by drinking enough liquid, many athletes have already experienced the direct effect on their own bodies in the form of muscle cramps .
It is important to stay hydrated during, before and after exercise. Electrolyte drinks contain a good combination of minerals, but fruit spritzers often serve the same purpose.
Many athletes know the importance of the minerals magnesium and calcium, but forget that sodium and potassium are of equal importance. Especially in summer, an additional supplement of minerals in the form of appropriate preparations makes sense, so that the stores are full.
During physical activity, the digestive processes are slowed down and even after eating, it sometimes takes several hours for the minerals to get to where they are needed. But minerals are not only important for the body during sport, it also needs them for regenerative activities.
For example, magnesium is an important mineral for building muscle tissue . The mineral sulphur, as a component of many amino acids, is also very important for muscle growth .
How does a mineral deficiency (electrolyte deficiency) develop?
The minerals chlorine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and phosphorus are also known as electrolytes. The human organism needs electrolytes in a balanced ratio. He cannot form them himself, which is why they have to be supplied through food. This must be done regularly because the electrolytes are excreted through urine, stool and sweat.
The body can regulate the correct composition itself using certain hormones, which is why an electrolyte is always excreted in excess when it is present in the body in too high a concentration.
Diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating can cause an electrolyte deficiency or an electrolyte disorder. Functional disorders of the kidneys lead to an accumulation of electrolytes in the body, and sufficient elimination is no longer possible. In addition, some medications can help deplete electrolytes.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.