Remember the periodic table from chemistry class? Do you remember all its elements? Well, dig them out of that dusty box in your brain, because those elements are also essential to our body’s cells.

In addition to proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and water, mineral supplements are an important requirement for cellular health. When planning a “clean” or “mindful” eating schedule, take minerals into account. Our bodies need two types of minerals: micro and macro.

Our body requires large quantities of macrominerals and trace amounts of micro minerals, but this shouldn’t suggest that we neglect the micro minerals. Generally speaking, a healthy diet is rich in minerals but it is still important to identify the sources in order to maximize the benefits.

Vital minerals include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and sulfur. Calcium and phosphorus form the mineralized structures of our body such as teeth and bones, and adequate amounts ensure healthy development. Deficiencies in these two minerals can cause various bone deformities and compromised bone structure. Inadequate amounts at the age of teeth development can cause the improper structure of teeth and increase the risk of cavities, fractures, and staining.

Sodium and potassium are crucial for the “message transmission processes” that are responsible for the entire activity of our nervous system. Deficiency of these minerals can cause disturbed activity of the nervous system and can impair various bodily functions like sensations, cognitive function, and muscle movements. Sodium is critical for maintaining normal blood pressure, good adrenal function and hormone balance.

It is not difficult to ensure you are incorporating these minerals into your meals. Sprinkle a small amount of table salt on top of an omelet or a vegetable salad. Eat food rich in calcium to strengthen your bones or cook a protein-rich meal or snack of meat and legumes topped with nuts.

Trace minerals should not be underestimated. They are important components of blood and various enzymes that produce your body’s proteins. They also regulate a variety of critical bodily processes including cell renewal and repair, taste reception, metabolic processes, detoxification of poisonous substances and maintenance of blood sugar.

Minerals deficiencies can create serious health issues.

Be creative and include a number of ingredients to build one meal rich in minerals, instead of concentrating on just one or two minerals. For example, cook a meal decorated with green vegetables such as broccoli. Sprinkle some sea salt and kelp or dulse, which are sea vegetables loaded with minerals. Add some Celtic sea salt to your water. Make herbal mineral infusions like nettle infusion or add some fruits to your water.

Make minerals a staple of your clean eating plan!

My favorite way to ensure my minerals intake is to drink water with some salt daily and eating lots of seaweeds.

Simple and easy. Make clean eating and looking younger easy because clean eating should not be difficult.

Check out my Paleo Reset Program here!

In Health

Angie