When vitamins and minerals fight
The world of vitamins and minerals is complex, yet simple. We are accustomed to taking handfuls of isolated minerals or isolated and synthetic vitamins by the handfuls, without regard to the potential fight between them. Furthermore, we live in a world of "more is better" - mega dosing of vitamins-to our detriment. More is not necessarily better, and especially synthetic is not good.
Two relationships exist among minerals and vitamins: they each have antagonistic and synergistic qualities. Some minerals oppose other minerals, some vitamins oppose other vitamins, and minerals and vitamins can oppose each other. When we micro-manage our vitamins and minerals (collectively referred to as "supplements"), the tendency is to say "Oh, I'm too low in magnesium, so I better take a bunch of it." That "bunch of it" could actually cause a deficiency of another mineral. In fact, a mineral cannot be affected (either too much or too little), without affecting at least two other minerals, each of which will then affect two others, then others on down the line. This is where the complexity comes in (we'll talk about the simplicity later).
By contrast, they also have synergistic qualities, meaning that in order for them to function properly in the body, they need companion nutrients. Some vitamins, to be absorbed, need minerals and fats. Minerals need certain vitamins and fats for their utilization, as well. The absence of their synergistic nutrient results in an inability to utilize that substance.
A balance is crucial, as a loss of homeostasis within our body's nutrients can have quite an adverse effect upon our health.
A vitamin is defined as "a group of organic substances essential in small quantities for the normal functioning of metabolism in the body. They cannot usually be synthesized in the body but they occur naturally in certain foods. Insufficient supply of any particular vitamin results in a deficiency disease." (World English Dictionary)
A mineral is defined in nutrition as "any of the inorganic elements, as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods." (Dictionary.com)
Notice how each says that they come from foods?
Every organ and system is dependent upon minerals and vitamins (and their synergistic nutrients) for normal function. When any of these nutrients are in insufficient amounts, the organs can become vulnerable to weakness and a host of illnesses that can persist until those nutrients are replaced.
The simple solution is to get your nutrients from whole, organically raised fresh food. If you have become so depleted that you cannot get enough from what you're eating, then you need to take whole food supplements. That means supplements that are concentrated foods, not chemicals. Nature has given us the perfect balance and try as we may, we simply cannot micro-manage them as well as God has done in nature. That's the simple part!
Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health-care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.