The Minerals Boron, Calcium, Chromium & Cobalt...

BORON -

Plays a part in estrogen's role in building bones by helping convert vitamin D into the active form necessary for the absorption of calcium. Unless your body's imineral content is stable then the 20 min./day sunshine won't be enough for the required vitamin D. Boron is essential to bone metbolism and calcification of bones and helps prevent osteoporosis, arthritis and tooth decay. Boron is necessary for cartilage formation and repair. It affects calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels. Memory and brain function can be improved with boron. It plays a role in regulating the hormones, especially estrogen, but testosterone as well. A boron deficiency can cause weak and fragile cell walls. Some research shows that boron improves libido. Boron is stored in the parathyroid glands.

Indications of insufficient of boron may be: arthritis, memory loss, brittle bones, muscle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis, degenerative joint disease, receding gums, hormonal imbalance, weak cartilage and loss of libido.

CALCIUM -
Calcium is one of the most essential of the major biochemical elements needed in human nutrition. It is necessary for every organ of the body, including the brain. Calcium is called the "knitter" because it promotes healing or knitting everywhere in the body. It is valuable for tone, power, strength, longevity, vitality, endurance, healing of wounds, counteracting acids and help in regulating metabolism. Because it is used in almost every function, calcium is commonly deficient in our diets. It is one of the first elements to go out of balance when the diet is inadequate. Calcium is stored in the blood and teeth, as well as in the nerves, muscles & tissues. Calcium requires other minerals to be effective and do its job. Magnesium and vit. D increase calcium absorption while sodium helps keep calcium in the useable form in the body (it must be water soluble to be useable). Calcium raises the body's resistance to viruses, parasites, bacteria and cancer. A lack of calcium leads to a host of diseases and degenerative conditions. Pure water-soluble calcium serves a two-fold purpose; it can help reverse symptoms caused by the buildup of compounded calcium, like kidney stones, gallstones, arthritis and high cholesterol & helps reverse conditions caused by a deficiency of calcium like acidosis and osteoporosis. A high incidence of cavities or white spots on fingernails indicates a calcium deficiency. This mineral is necessary to regain the proper pH balance and we all know how important that is.

Indications of insufficient of calcium may be: acne, cancer, arthritis, cavities, acidosis, cataracts, ADD, enlarged heart, asthma, fibromyalgia, bell's palsy, gallstones, cramps, high cholesterol, common cold, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome & osteoporosis.

CHROMIUM -
Chromium deficiency is a major factor in the development of heart disease, which includes heart attacks & hardening of the arteries. Chromium is stored principally in the kidneys, spleen and testes, with trace amounts found in the heart, lungs, pancreas and brain. The body cannot easily absorb chromium if other minerals are out of balance as well. Chromium helps the body regulate metabolism and regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. Chromium helps the body lose weight by stimulating enzymes that metabolize glucose for energy. It plays an important role in the liver as it helps the liver burn fat. When the body is deficient in chromium, twice the amount of time is needed for insulin to remove glucose from the blood. Chromium enhances insulin performance and glucose utilization and halpes carry proteins. Chromium works better if taken before meals. Refined sugar causes the body to deplete chromium more rapidly. Strenuous exercise can also deplete chromium levels. The elderly are unable to store as much chromium in the body as are younger people. The refining of starches and carbohydrates robs foods of chromium. If you are American you have less chromium in the soil compared to European soil.

Indications of insufficient of chromium may be: anxiety, hyperinsulinism, ADD, hypoglycemia, aortic cholesterol plaque, hyperactivity, arteriosclerosis, impaired growth, bi-polar disorder/manic depressive illness, infertility, decreased sperm count, coronary blood vessel disease, obesity, depression, pre-diabetes, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, high blood cholesterol & heart attack.

COBALT -
Cobalt is an essential mineral even though the body only needs a small amount. It is also another mineral that will not functon without sufficient amounts of other minerals in the body.  Cobalt is stored in red blood cells with smaller amounts in the kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen. Research indicates that cobalt helps with the repair of the myelin (protective coating over the nerve) sheath, increases the effectiveness of glucose transport from the blood into body cells and increases the assimilation of iron and the building of red blood cells. Cobalt is an important agent of vit. B-12; it increases the body's ability to absorb it. Cobalt stimulates many enzymes of the body and normalizes the performance of other body cells. Because of it's low absorption rate and high excretion reate, cobalt toxicity is not common, but an excess can lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Indications of insufficient of cobalt may be: digestive disorders, pernicious anemia, fatigue, poor circulation, myelin sheath damage, MS/Multiple Sclerosis, slow growth rate and nerve damage.