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Many thanks Modern farming techniquesEven our drinking water is depleted of minerals. Even our drinking-water is depleted of minerals. Getting enough takes a little more effort than in the past, but it doesn’t need to be difficult. This delicious mineral drink tonic will help you get all the minerals that you need.
Mineral Drink
Lately, I’ve been focusing on getting enough minerals, both for myself and my kids. Our bodies and organs need minerals to work properly. And even if we’re eating organic superfoods, we’re likely still not getting all the vitamins and minerals we need.
Back in the day, our food and drinking water were rich with minerals and nutrients. Since pesticides, herbicides, mono-crops and pesticides were introduced, the mineral content in our food has dropped. Some experts warn that now we literally can’t get enough nutrition from our food supply. Mineral supplements can fill in the gaps.
Are You Mineral Deficient?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re mineral deficient. According to biochemist Barton Scott96% of people are deficient in potassium, and 99% are deficient with iodine. Magnesium deficiency is also very common. This means that even if we’re shopping the produce aisles and opting for organic, we’re likely not getting enough nutrition.
That’s one reason why I grow much of our family’s produce in compost-rich soil in my garden. While it helps, I’ve also noticed a definite difference after supplementing with minerals. Minerals such iodine, for example, are difficult to get naturally unless one lives in certain areas.
It is possible that your blood levels are not normal, even if they appear to be. A mineral deficiency can take years to show up in a blood test. The body will take minerals from the bone marrow and organs to maintain the balance of blood minerals.
Health Benefits of Minerals
What exactly are minerals? Why are they important? Minerals perform thousands of essential functions in the human body. They can help to prevent cardiovascular diseases. They also work like a switch to turn on our body’s ability to use vitamins. For example, we can’t use vitamin D unless we have boron.
These are the macrominerals we need every day and their functions. We need macro minerals in higher amounts than trace minerals. This list would be far too long if we listed every function that minerals have (magnesium is responsible for thousands of functions!). This list gives a good overview.
- Calcium – necessary for healthy teeth and bones, helps regulate blood pressure, muscle contraction, helps nerve communication, and blood clotting.
- Magnesium – For strong bones and teeth. It regulates blood sugar and blood-pressure, helps brain, muscle, nerve, and mood functions, plus much more.
- Potassium – helps us have a steady heartbeat, needed for muscle contraction, fluid balance, and healthy blood pressure. Needed to regulate Aspartate metabolism.
- Sodium – helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, balances fluids, needed for muscle contraction and brain health.
Trace Minerals For Healthier Bodies
While we don’t need these minerals in large amounts, they’re still important for overall health. It’s all about getting the right balance. The same problems can arise from excessive trace minerals as well as insufficient amounts.
Find out what trace minerals are, how they work, and where to find them.
- Phosphorus – Found in our bones, teeth, DNA, and RNA. Cell membranes and ATP production require phosphorus. Together, phosphorus and calcium form hydroxyapatite which is the enamel of our teeth. Phosphorus in seeds and breads is bound up as phytic acid so our body can’t absorb it. Dairy, salmon, poultry, and beef are the highest in phosphorus.
- Manganese – involved in amino acid, cholesterol, glucose, and carbohydrate metabolism, bones, fertility, immune system, and getting rid of free radicals. Together with vitamin K, it helps in blood clotting. It’s found in breast milk and added to infant formula. However, it’s up to 8 times more absorbable in breastmilk than formula. The most abundant source is blue mussels, but other sources include hazelnuts and pecans.
- Chromium – Supports healthy blood sugar and insulin levels. Helps us to digest carbohydrates, fats, or proteins. We absorb very small amounts of chromium. Vitamin C increases absorption. Oxalates (from leafy greens and grains) inhibit it. Oxalates (leafy greens, nuts, grains etc.) inhibit absorption.
- Molybdenum – helps us process and eliminate wastes and toxins. Black-eyed peas and lima beans are among the best sources of nutrition.
- Silica – The second most common element on Earth. It is needed to build collagen in our tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Add one teaspoon of this mineral to my drink.
Why Food Isn’t Enough
I mentioned early that thanks to soil depletion it’s difficult if not impossible to get enough minerals through our diet. The soil conditions can have a huge impact on the measured amounts of minerals such as magnesium and chromium. The minerals we get from our food and animals that graze in soils rich in minerals are the ones responsible for adequate levels.
Silica can be found naturally in the husks. Modern farm machines though remove the husk (even with whole grains) so it’s no longer a part of our diets.
The soil in our country has suffered a major mineral depletion over the last few decades. According to NIH surveys, no data is collected about trace minerals like Molybdenum. So we don’t even know how widespread the problem is. Health organizations are still using outdated data from decades back that indicated adequate human nutrient level.
How much do we need?
We need minerals on a daily basis because our body doesn’t store them. Each cell in our organs relies on minerals for its function. All of us require minerals, but some need more.
Heavy workouts and sweating are activities that can be harmful. Saunas Stress, caffeine and late nights also deplete minerals. Stress, caffeine, late night drinking, and alcohol all deplete minerals. Most of us are not Olympic runners but we all deal with stress in some way.
Mineral Supplements
I don’t do the same thing every day and I’m always changing up my supplement routine. Magnesium is something I take every day. As an easy (and delicious!) way to get more minerals in, I began making mineral drinks. It’s a great way to increase your mineral intake. It’s the perfect solution for anyone who doesn’t want to swallow a bunch of pills.
Even children can benefit from mineral drinks. All of my kids are involved in athletic pursuits so I’m careful to make sure they get enough. Since our house is the meeting place for kids in the neighborhood, they also get mineral water there!
Sports drinks are often thought of when electrolyte balance is discussed and the need for hydration. They do have some minerals but they also contain food dyes and sugar. Plus you’re likely not getting necessary trace minerals.
Hydration Isn’t Enough
I found out the hard way how dangerous it is to drink a lot water without electrolytes. After a vacation full of excitement and ER visits for IV fluids. Distilled water, tap water, and many bottled waters don’t contain essential electrolytes. Even many of our natural spring waters don’t have the electrolytes they once used to.
The electrolyte level in our body is diluted if we drink excessive water without essential minerals such as potassium and sodium. Headaches and dizziness are some of the symptoms. In severe cases, the condition can be fatal. And in hospital and outpatient settings it’s the most common chemical abnormality.
Sometimes I’ll make this homemade electrolyte drink, but I’ve found another way to get even more trace minerals. This mineral tonic can be easily customized and contains a range of essential minerals.
Mineral Drink Ingredients
I begin with a base consisting of Olipop, juice or sparkling mineral water.LMNT electrolytes. Use whatever you like or have available. It is also beneficial to add a splash of orange juice to water.
- Lime juice – has potassium, calcium, antioxidants
- Lemon Juice – has vitamin C, small amounts of calcium, potassium, and B vitamins
- Grapefruit juice – has vitamin C, vitamin A, and small amounts of minerals like magnesium
- LMNT – balanced amount of sodium, magnesium, potassium
- Olipop – High in fiber, no added sugar, and full of prebiotics for a healthy gut
Minerals
You can add them all at once or in small amounts. You don’t need to add all of them at once. They’re in a bioavailable form so they’re easier to absorb.
Mineral Drink Tonic
You can easily customize this tasty tonic with the base liquids and minerals that you prefer. It’s great for kids or those who do not want to take pills.
Notes
You don’t need to use all 3 of the different mineral supplements at once. You can mix and match the supplements to your liking.
What is your favorite way to get your daily mineral intake? Share your thoughts and comments below!
