Cal-Mag-Selenium-Zinc

Question 1

What is selenium necessary for?

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

What are some signs of selenium deficiency?

Answer 2

• Chest pains
• Hair loss
• Impaired immune activity
• Impaired thyroid function/hypothyroidism

Question 3

Why might a selenium deficiency affect the thyroid?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What are some important functions of selenium when it comes to the immune system?

Answer 4

• Stimulates immune system.
• Prevents many cancers.
• Helps to treat arthritis
• Maintains healthy eyes and eyesight

Question 5

Selenium and cardiovascular

Answer 5

• Protects against heart and circulatory diseases.

Question 6

Selenium skin and hair

Answer 6

• Maintains good skin and healthy hair
• Treats dandruff
• Improves liver function.

Question 7

Selenium and detoxification

Answer 7

• Can detoxify alcohol, many drugs, smoking, and some fats.

Question 8

Selenium hormones

Answer 8

• Increases male potency and sex drive

- Alleviates hot flashes and symptoms of menopause

Question 9

What are the best sources of selenium?

Answer 9

Brazil nuts
Broccoli
Onions
Tomatoes
Tuna
Wheat germ and bran
Whole wheat bread

Question 10

What foods increase effectiveness of selenium in the body?

Answer 10

Foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts, seeds, and fortified cereals

Question 11

What are some symptoms of selenium excess?

Answer 11

Selenium can be toxic in very small doses. Symptoms of excess include blackened fingernails and a garlic-like odour on the breath and skin.

Question 12

What is the recommended daily allowance of selenium? What should you take with it?

Answer 12

RDA: 50 – 200 mcg. Selenium supplementation should be taken with 9-120 mcg of vitamin E to ensure that selenium works most efficiently.

Question 13

Why is zinc important?

Answer 13

Zinc is one of the most important trace elements in our diet. Zinc-dependent enzymes can be found in all known classes of enzymes.

Question 14

What are some signs of zinc deficiency?

Answer 14

Eczema
Growth failure
Immune system problems
Impotence
Infertility
Poor ability to heal
Loss of taste

Question 15

What are some of the functions of zinc that overlap with selenium?

Answer 15

• Cancer
• Enhance immune system
• Healthy skin, hair, eyes
• Treats arthritis
• Male potency and sex drive

Question 16

What are some functions of zinc that are different from selenium?

Answer 16

• 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.

Question 17

What are the best sources of zinc?

Answer 17

• Almond’s
• Eggs
• Mushrooms
• Oysters
• Peanuts
• Pecans
• Pumpkin seeds
• Whole grains

Question 18

What is the RDA for zinc? What should be increased if supplementing with zinc?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What helps regulate calcium metabolism?

Answer 19

Vitamin D (helps in absorption of calcium and phosphorus)

Question 20

Calcium and mineral rich substances such as oyster shell, gypsum, fluorite, fossils etc. are taken for what properties?

Answer 20

Cooling, calming, moistening

Appear in formulas for overheated conditions involving thirst, nervous anxiety, insomnia, and so on.

Question 21

The yin fluids (infused with calcium and minerals) are important for what TCM properties?

Answer 21

Calm the spirit/shen
Relax the liver
Moisten lungs

Question 22

What cofactors are important for the absorption of calcium?

Answer 22

Magnesium
Phosphorus
Vitamin A, C, D

Question 23

What hormone increases calcium in the bones and keeps it from being absorbed into the soft tissues? What stimulates this hormone?

Answer 23

Calcitonin

Magnesium stimulates calcitonin production

Question 24

Name foods high in magnesium in order of content high to low

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

What are some calcium inhibitors?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What are some times where more calcium is needed?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Why do vegetarians have stronger bones and fewer calcium deficiencies than meat eaters?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Excess calcium can result in the loss of other minerals in the body. Examples?

Answer 28

Iron
Manganese
Zinc

Question 29

Why should oxalic acid foods be used sparingly? Examples?

Answer 29

These bind calcium
Beet greens
Cranberries
Chard
Plums
Rhubarb
Spinach