Cal-Mag-Selenium-Zinc Flashcards
What is selenium necessary for?
- Manufacture of proteins
- Helps the liver to function efficiently
- Forms part of the male sperm, which means that deficiency can be linked to infertility in men.
What are some signs of selenium deficiency?
- Chest pains
- Hair loss
- Impaired immune activity
- Impaired thyroid function/hypothyroidism
Why might a selenium deficiency affect the thyroid?
Selenium is a component of the enzyme that helps convert T4 to T3 peripherally, so deficiencies of selenium may impair thyroid function and promote hypothyroidism.
What are some important functions of selenium when it comes to the immune system?
- Stimulates immune system.
- Prevents many cancers.
- Helps to treat arthritis
- Maintains healthy eyes and eyesight
Selenium and cardiovascular
- Protects against heart and circulatory diseases.
Selenium skin and hair
- Maintains good skin and healthy hair
- Treats dandruff
- Improves liver function.
Selenium and detoxification
- Can detoxify alcohol, many drugs, smoking, and some fats.
Selenium hormones
- Increases male potency and sex drive
- Alleviates hot flashes and symptoms of menopause
What are the best sources of selenium?
Brazil nuts Broccoli Onions Tomatoes Tuna Wheat germ and bran Whole wheat bread
What foods increase effectiveness of selenium in the body?
Foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals
What are some symptoms of selenium excess?
Selenium can be toxic in very small doses. Symptoms of excess include blackened fingernails and a garlic-like odour on the breath and skin.
What is the recommended daily allowance of selenium? What should you take with it?
RDA: 50 – 200 mcg. Selenium supplementation should be taken with 9-120 mcg of vitamin E to ensure that selenium works most efficiently.
Why is zinc important?
Zinc is one of the most important trace elements in our diet. Zinc-dependent enzymes can be found in all known classes of enzymes.
What are some signs of zinc deficiency?
Eczema Growth failure Immune system problems Impotence Infertility Poor ability to heal Loss of taste
What are some of the functions of zinc that overlap with selenium?
- Cancer
- Enhance immune system
- Healthy skin, hair, eyes
- Treats arthritis
- Male potency and sex drive
What are some functions of zinc that are different from selenium?
- Prevents and treats colds.
- Maintains senses of taste, smell, and sight.
- Prevent age-related degenerative effects.
- Treats acne and various other skin problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Prevents blindness associated with aging.
What are the best sources of zinc?
- Almond’s
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Oysters
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Pumpkin seeds
- Whole grains
What is the RDA for zinc? What should be increased if supplementing with zinc?
Very high doses (above 150 mg per day) may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. RDA: 15-30 mg, and increase copper and selenium intake if taking more zinc.
What helps regulate calcium metabolism?
Vitamin D (helps in absorption of calcium and phosphorus)
Calcium and mineral rich substances such as oyster shell, gypsum, fluorite, fossils etc. are taken for what properties?
Cooling, calming, moistening
Appear in formulas for overheated conditions involving thirst, nervous anxiety, insomnia, and so on.
The yin fluids (infused with calcium and minerals) are important for what TCM properties?
Calm the spirit/shen
Relax the liver
Moisten lungs
What cofactors are important for the absorption of calcium?
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Vitamin A, C, D
What hormone increases calcium in the bones and keeps it from being absorbed into the soft tissues? What stimulates this hormone?
Calcitonin
Magnesium stimulates calcitonin production
Name foods high in magnesium in order of content high to low
- Seaweeds (hijiki, hobu, kelp, wakame)
- Beans (Aduki, black, mung, soy)
- Whole grains (esp. buckwheat, millet, corn)
- Nuts and seeds (esp. almonds, cashews, sesame)
- Chlorophyll foods
What are some calcium inhibitors?
1) Coffee, soft drinks, diuretics
2) Excess protein, esp. meat
3) Refined sugar or too much of any concentrated sweetener
4) Alcohol, tobacco
5) Too little or too much exercise
6) Excess salt
7) Solanum vegetables including tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, bell peppers
What are some times where more calcium is needed?
1) Periods of growth in childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, lactation, rapid mental or spiritual growth
2) With aging: older people assimilate less, women need more after menopause
3) With heart and vascular disease like high BP
4) Bone disorders, arthritis, tooth and gum problems
5) Most nervous system disorders
Why do vegetarians have stronger bones and fewer calcium deficiencies than meat eaters?
1) The digestion of meat results in acids which must be neutralized by calcium and other alkaline minerals
2) Flesh protein contributes to phosphorus/calcium ratio the is imbalanced. Too much phosphorus depletes calcium.
3) Sulphur in meat limits calcium absorption
4) Meat is rich in saturated fats which combine with calcium to form a soap-like compound that is eliminated by the body
Excess calcium can result in the loss of other minerals in the body. Examples?
Iron
Manganese
Zinc
Why should oxalic acid foods be used sparingly? Examples?
These bind calcium Beet greens Cranberries Chard Plums Rhubarb Spinach
