The Preventive Medicine Center Of Gainesville

Dr. Charles Northen was an Alabama physician and a pioneer in the field of nutrition way back in the 1930's. He knew that minerals were vital to human metabolism and health and stated “that no plant or animal can appropriate to itself any mineral which is not present in the soil upon which it feeds.” He was ridiculed for this viewpoint as men eminent in medicine at the time denied there was any such thing as vegetables and fruits that did not contain sufficient minerals for human needs and the agricultural authorities insisted that all soil contained necessary minerals.

The truth is that our foods vary enormously in value and some of them aren’t worth eating, as food. For example, vegetation grown in one part of the country may contain 1,100 parts per billion of iodine against 20 parts per billion grown elsewhere. The goiter belt in the mid-west, where enlargement of the thyroid gland occurs more often due to iodine deficiency in the soils, is a well known fact. This example applies to many other trace minerals.

Food chemistry is almost entirely dependent on government agencies for its research, and our current knowledge of values is about where medicine was a century ago. Dr. Northen proved that crops grown in a properly mineralized soil were bigger and better; that seeds germinated quicker, grew more rapidly and made better plants; that trees were healthier and put on more fruit of better quality. By scientific soil feeding where he would add iron, iodine, and other elements to soil, he raised better seed potatoes in Maine, better grapes in California, and better oranges in Florida. He experimented with a variety of growing things and in every case the story was the same. By mineralizing the feed at poultry farms, he got more and better eggs; by balancing the pasture soils, he produced richer milk. Dr. Northen eventually moved to Florida and gave up practicing medicine to devote his time to becoming a “doctor of sick soils.” In an orange grove in Florida infested with scale, he restored the mineral balance to part of the soil, and the trees growing in that part became clean while the rest remained diseased. By the same means he grew healthy rose bushes between rows that were riddled by insects. The insects did not want to attack the healthy plants. Dr. Northen felt it was neither a complicated nor an expensive undertaking to restore our soils. “It is simpler to cure sick soils than sick people.” While modern agriculture adds nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil, the remaining 60 minerals that are found in the human body are not added to the soil. Plants growing in the soil do not “create” these missing minerals, so they become deficient and so do the animals and humans that feed on the plants.

Mineral deficiencies may occur for a variety of other reasons in humans. Deficiencies in the water, mineral imbalances (many minerals work together such as potassium, lithium and sodium); processing of water (such as with reverse osmosis or steam distillation removes minerals) or soil; and inadequate dietary intake. The absorption of minerals is dependent on multiple factors such as age, adequacy of stomach acid, lack of intestinal parasites and illnesses, dietary fiber intake, and balance of bowel flora. There is confusion about what form a mineral should be in to be best absorbed in the human body. Some supplements tout their minerals are in organic form; others colloidal form; others in liquid form. So what is the best form?

First of all, absorption occurs in the small intestine. For some elements, such as iron, the compound it is bound to can have a significant influence on intestinal absorption. There are 8 minerals that should be in ionic form (an ion is a particle such as an atom or group of atoms that carries an electrical charge) to be readily absorbed. These minerals are chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. This does not mean that if a mineral is not ionic it cannot be absorbed by the body. For the most part, minerals and trace elements can be absorbed if they are bound to certain compounds, such as chelates. The minerals we have at the Center from Biotics are chelated in plant cultures at the Biotics facility, for instance. Others are chelated to certain salts. The 8 minerals that need to be in ionic form normally get into this form by being liberated by stomach acid. Conditions that affect stomach acid, such as aging, taking antacids, or taking medications that block acid production, such as Nexium or Zantac, may interfere with the absorption of these minerals. The assumption that “organic minerals” are somehow superior to “inorganic minerals” is not quite as important as making sure the mineral is in ionic form, and this means adequate stomach acid. As mentioned, there are exceptions to this such where certain minerals are absorbed from foods as components of complex organic entities, such as cobalt or iron.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. 99% of the body’s calcium is bound up in bone, the remaining 1% circulates in the blood and is crucial for proper pH balance of the body, nerve and muscle function, and regulation of cell metabolism. It also assists in protein and fat metabolism and the absorption of vitamin B12. The best food sources of calcium include dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. kale and spinach), and cooked bones (such as in canned salmon). The RDA of calcium is 800- 1200mg daily. A low calcium intake is a risk factor for colon cancer. Half the patients with pre-cancerous colon polyps in one study had a significant decrease in cell proliferation when given calcium supplements. In spite of the mass media promotion of high calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis of the bones, numerous studies do not show a relationship between the level of dietary calcium intake and the incidence of osteoporosis. In North America and in Scandinavia, there is a high consumption of dairy products containing calcium. These same countries also have the highest incidence of osteoporosis. Other populations take in 300-400mg of calcium a day without high incidences of osteoporosis. However, these populations also consume much lower protein amounts. Proteins are high in phosphorus, requiring higher calcium intakes. An increase in protein affects urinary calcium loss. Optimal intake of all nutrients essential to bone formation and homeostasis are required and include calcium, protein, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, boron, manganese, copper, vitamin K and others. Also, age, hormonal status, gender, and activity level influence bone density. It is recommended that calcium intake be increased during pregnancy, adolescence, and lactation.

Magnesium is essential in at least 300 different enzyme reactions in the human body, including the conversion of ATP for energy. In animals, magnesium deficiency can spontaneously generate bone tumors and lymphomas. Magnesium has a central role in regulating DNA synthesis. The RDA for magnesium is in the 250 to 350mg per day range. Over half of the body’s magnesium resides in bone. Other important functions of magnesium include maintaining proper function of the nervous system and neuromuscular transmission. Lack of magnesium can be associated with tremors, muscle spasms, heart disease, convulsions, and neuropsychiatric disturbance. In many ways, magnesium acts like a classical calcium channel blocker by relaxing the coronary arteries and has the ability to lower blood pressure. Intravenous magnesium can reverse serious arrhymthias (irregular heart beat). Magnesium deficiency is common in patients with diabetes, patients with intestinal disorders or kidney disease, and in patients taking diuretics or who drink alcohol. Aging itself is a risk factor for low magnesium. Excess magnesium intake will result in a laxative effect. At the Center, we use IV Magnesium to treat migraine headaches and this important mineral is also part of the formula in many of our IV solutions such as a Myer’s nutritional cocktail or Magnesium EDTA chelations. Patients feel calmer after receiving IV magnesium. The best food sources of magnesium are kelp, whole grains, nuts, and molasses.

Potassium is the primary cation (positively charged ion) inside human cells. The richest sources of potassium are banana, avocado, tomato, and potato. Meats and fish also provide significant amounts of potassium. Potassium is crucial for the control of skeletal muscle contractility, the maintenance of normal blood pressure, the transmission of nerve impulses and in the conversion of glucose into glycogen for energy storage in the liver. The RDA for potassium has been established at 2 grams daily. Potassium must exist in balance with sodium. A low sodium diet enhances potassium conservation and a high sodium diet promotes potassium excretion. Primitive cultures who consume diets high in potassium and low in sodium, have an incidence of coronary artery disease and heart failure that constitutes less than 5-10% of the population living in their 6th and 7th decades. The incidence of hypertension in these same populations is less than 1%. Diuretic drugs can deplete potassium as can the use of alcohol, coffee and excessive sweating (up to 3 grams daily).

Zinc is the most multi-talented mineral in the body, participating in everything from sexual development, to immunity, to maintenance of nerve tissue, to apoptosis (programed cell death), which may be missing in cancer cells. The RDA of zinc is 15mg. Best food sources include shell fish, organ meats, meat, fish, pumpkin seeds, ginger root, seeds and nuts. Zinc works in opposition to copper, and supplementing zinc much above 180mg daily may result in copper deficiency in the body. Zinc is also antagonistic to toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury and lead. Virtually every enzyme reaction in the brain is zinc dependent, and impairments of taste, vision, smell, and appetite may be early signs of zinc deficiency. Zinc is one of the few minerals lost more rapidly in the urine following acute or chronic emotional stress. In males, zinc is found in high concentrations in the sperm and prostate gland.

Iron is a mineral in the body with a narrow window of efficacy. Too much or too little will create health problems. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies throughout the world. Most iron in the body is found in the hemoglobin of our red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to our tissues from the lungs. Myoglobin is a red pigment in our muscle tissues that stores and transports oxygen for use during muscle contraction. Myoglobin also contains iron. Myoglobin is also found in heart tissue. Small amounts of iron are found in enzymes essential to energy production. Iron deficiency may come about due to poor dietary intake, bleeding, parasitic infections, low stomach acid, malabsorption, and low vitamin A or vitamin C, which affects the transport and absorption of iron. Also, calcium either in supplements or foods may interfere with the absorption of iron and should be taken at different times.

The RDA for iron is 10-12mg for men and 15 mg for menstruating women. Foods such as flours that are enriched with iron where there are insufficient antioxidants in the diet can create free radicals that can cause damage to DNA. Iron supplements are not safe for individuals with iron storage disorders such as hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis or thalassemia. Caution is suggested in taking iron picolinate as a supplement, as the absorption is so efficient that it can lead to excessive iron levels. Iron supplements should be kept away from children who can inadvertently take an overdose of this mineral which can be fatal in a manner of hours.

Iron is a “growth-nutrient” for almost all forms of life – humans, tumor cells, lawn grass, bacteria, yeast. It is actually the unbound iron in humans that can create the problems. 99% of iron is bound to either hemoglobin, myoglobin, or transferrin. Acidification can cause an increase in unbound iron. Adults who are not vegetarians do not need supplemental iron in most instances.

Copper is involved in enzyme reactions, bone and connective tissue construction, and via ceruloplasmin, helps prevent the oxidation of fatty acids that can destroy DNA and cell membranes. It is also required to absorb, utilize and synthesize hemoglobin. It is also used to maintain the integrity of the myelin covering of nerves. Copper is needed by all tissues, but its highest concentration is in the liver where it contributes to energy and detoxification mechanisms.
Copper supplements have slowed tumor growth in animals. The RDA of copper is 1.5 - 3 mg/day and the best sources in the diet are organ meats, shellfish, and legumes. A prominent feature of copper deficiency is impaired iron absorption in the gut. A high ratio of copper to zinc can result from either a deficiency in zinc intake or excess copper intake. An inborn error of metabolism associated with the failure to eliminate copper from the body is known as Wilson’s disease. It can result in liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage.

Copper supplements should be approached with caution since copper is among the most powerful producers of free radicals. However, in proper balance with zinc, the two elements act as antioxidants by removing free radicals.

Iodine assists the thyroid gland in regulating metabolic rate and is primarily involved in the production of thyroid hormone. It is a selective toxin for disease-causing microorganisms in the gut. Additionally, iodine modifies the effects of estrogen on the breast tissue and reduces fibrocystic breast disease and also reduces the risk of breast cancer.

The best source of iodine is seafood, especially kelp. Sea salt is a poor source of iodine. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of endemic goiter and cretinism (mental retardation in children), where brain development is abnormal. In Japan goiter is relatively rare and iodine consumption may reach 10 milligrams daily. The RDA for iodine is 2 micrograms/kilogram of weight, and somewhat more in children. An additional 25 to 50 micrograms per day may be needed during pregnancy and lactation. In addition to goiter, some cases of subclinical hypothyroidism are caused by iodine deficiency.

The effects of excessive iodine intake vary, depending on the functionality and health of the thyroid gland. In some cases, the thyroid gland may stop production of thyroid hormone. There is also an opposite response, where excessive thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis) can take place. This is more common when the thyroid gland contains nodules that can produce thyroid hormone. This type of effect can occur when people living in iodine-deficient areas move to areas that are iodine- rich. Selenium deficiency affects iodine deficiency as well, as selenium is required in the conversion of the thyroxine form of thyroid hormone (T4) into the more active form, tri-iodothyronine (T3). For more information on iodine and how to test for iodine sufficiency, refer to the March 2006 Newsletter which is on-line at our website.

Manganese is an essential mineral cofactor in many enzyme reactions that are involved in protein, fat and energy metabolism. It plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of vitamin B1 (thiamin). It is also needed for bone growth and development, and reproduction. The best food sources of manganese are whole grains, nuts, and fruits grown in manganese-rich (= in the fertilizer) soils. Animal tissue contains very little manganese. Tea is very rich in manganese. The RDA for manganese is between 2-5 mg daily. Excessive manganese levels have been associated with certain forms of Parkinson’s disease and also a propensity for violence in humans. The excessive manganese may be due to a deficiency of calcium and/or an excess of other trace minerals such as copper, lead, and cadmium. There is also some evidence that an adequate intake of lithium and zinc may reduce the effect of excess manganese as it relates to violence.

Chromium is a mineral critical to controlling blood sugar levels and preventing lean tissue wasting. Deficiencies in chromium in humans typically lead to impaired glucose metabolism, elevated blood fats, and even peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness in the extremities). An estimated 50% of the American population do not consume the minimum recommended daily intake of 50 micrograms daily. Several studies have shown that taking chromium supplements lowers fasting blood sugar levels in healthy, normal individuals. There is also an association of chromium deficiency and heart disease and atherosclerosis in humans. In those patients with atherosclerotic plaque who died of heart disease, no detectable chromium was found in their tissue. Chromium can also lower cholesterol levels in individuals with elevated cholesterol. Chromium is stripped out of most foods in the refining processes. Chromium is found in whole grains and beans, but unless chromium is added to the fertilizer, these foods may be low in this essential mineral.

Selenium up until the 1960's was considered a toxic mineral for humans by the FDA. In places like South Dakota and Montana, there is so much selenium in the soil that animals grazing on the grass can develop selenium toxicity involving nerve and behavior problems. In humans, selenium toxicity may begin as low as 1000mcg daily, but it is much more common at about 65,000 micrograms daily. We now know, however, that small amounts of selenium are critical for our immune systems and detoxification pathways. In Finland, where the selenium-deficient soil leads to a high incidence of cancer and heart disease, wheat flour is enriched with selenium just like we add iron to our white flour. Wheat germ, seafood, and Brazil nuts are the best sources of selenium. The RDA is 70 micrograms. In a recent prospective double-blind human intervention study, supplements providing 200 micrograms of selenium were able to reduce the incidence of various cancers by up to 60%. Vitamin E enhances the action of selenium. There is evidence in elderly people, several hundred micrograms of selenium along with 400 IU of vitamin E improve their mental status while decreasing their anxiety, depression, poor appetite and fatigue. As previously noted, selenium is critical for thyroid function. It is also a potent anti-oxidant.

Molybdenum is an essential mineral for the detoxification pathways. I often see patients with heavy metal toxicity due to mercury, arsenic, or lead have low hair molybdenum levels. There is no RDA for molybdenum, but levels of 75-250 micrograms have been recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board. This is an extremely non-toxic mineral. Beans and organ meats are the best sources of molybdenum, but again, content is dependent upon the soils the plants are grown in or the animals graze on. We use a plant-chelated form of molybdenum at the Center for patients who are low in this mineral.

Vanadium is a mineral critical for controlling blood sugar. To avoid a deficiency of vanadium, it is estimated that over 100mcg/day is required. In general, this can be derived from the diet. Evidence is lacking that amounts greater than 250 - 500 micrograms are required by humans. There is a risk associated with intake of higher levels of vanadium and it is recommended that dietary supplements not contain more than 250 -350 micrograms. The best form of vanadium appears to be vanadyl sulfate. The best food sources of vanadium include mushrooms, shellfish, dill, parsley, and black pepper.

Phosphorus is an essential mineral needed for bone development. Nutritional deficiencies of this substance are rare, and both plant and animal foodstuffs are rich in phosphorus. However, a vitamin D deficiency may reduce absorption of phosphorus. The RDA for phosphorus is between 800 - 1200mg daily, depending upon age and gender.

Boron is a mineral important for optimal bone health and calcium absorption and utilization. It has only recently been established to be significant to humans and animals. An intake between 1 to 4 milligrams a day of boron is appropriate to optimal health. Most persons eating a Western diet consume between 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams of boron a day. Supplementation of 3 milligrams of boron a day in the diets of postmenopausal women has been shown to improve both calcium and magnesium retention. There are other studies that show optimal intakes of boron can enhance memory and cognitive function, and also a resistance to dental caries. Some fruits, such as apples, are rich in boron. Again, this varies widely depending upon the boron content of the soils the food was grown in. There is no RDA for boron.

Cobalt is best known for its remarkable magnetic properties. It is an essential trace element and is required in the formation of vitamin B12. When we get hair analyses on patients and their hair cobalt is very low, they often are found to have a corresponding vitamin B12 deficiency. Cobalt is also involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and in the synthesis of hemoglobin. No deficiency of cobalt in humans has been reported in the literature and excessive cobalt intake can result in goiter, congestive heart failure, and myxedema. “Beer drinkers cobalt cardiomyopathy” was first reported in 1967 following hazardous levels of cobalt sulphate begin added to beer as a defoaming agent. There is no RDA for cobalt.

Lithium is the lightest of all metals and occurs in the soils and in foods such as tomatoes, potatoes, and green peppers. In 1949 a researcher named Cade found that lithium in the form of lithium carbonate helped patients with a type of mental illness called manic-depression, and today lithium carbonate is widely used at prescription doses. By the mid-1970s an additional role was found for lithium in human health where it was found to play a protective role in treating sodium imbalances that contribute to heart disease in humans. Lithium is very similar chemically to potassium, and potassium also helps regulate sodium levels. During the 1970's researchers in Texas discovered that the levels of lithium found in water were inversely associated with the incidence of admissions and readmissions for psychiatric disorders in 27 Texas state mental hospitals. Later studies showed that the incidence of homicides, rapes and suicides were significantly higher in countries where there was little or no lithium in drinking water. The researchers suggested a dose of 2mg a day might be considered as the effective dose in lowering aggressive or self-destructive behavior. Although it is apparent that lithium is required by the brain, there is no RDA at this time. Lithium may also be useful in treating NIDDM (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), in glucose metabolism, and in the treatment of alcoholism. We carry LI Zyme, which is an organic form of lithium. Each tablet contains 50 micrograms of lithium. Many of our patients have observed they sleep better and feel calmer taking this low dose formula.

Sodium is not found in nature in pure form as any amount of moisture or air converts it into one of its compounds. It is the principle mineral in the serum of the blood and is essential to regulate extracellular fluid volume, maintain acid-base balance, and maintain membrane potential of the cells. Sodium is constantly being pumped out of cells in exchange for potassium. Lithium can accumulate in the body if sodium levels are depleted. Sodium deficiency can occur in renal disease, adrenal insufficiency, vomiting, diarrhea, wound drainage, excessive sweating, burns, and with diuretic use. Sodium chloride (salt) is the primary source of sodium in humans.

There is a correlation with excessive intake of salt and hypertension. In northern Japan, where it is estimated 38% of the population is hypertensive, the average sodium intake is 28 grams per day. In Alaskan natives, there is a low incidence of hypertension, and their average sodium intake is around 4 grams a day. However, these studies may be flawed as the average potassium intake wasn’t considered at the same time. Numerous studies have shown that potassium can limit the toxic effects of high sodium intake. By simply eliminating salty processed foods (e.g. pretzels, potato chips, etc.) a person’s average salt intake would be between 3 to 5 grams. It is important to recognize that some individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure) would benefit from added salt. The RDA of sodium is 500 milligrams a day.