For many of us our health goals are not just based in fitness, or in longevity, but in a combination of both. Therefore, we need to look at the benefits of vitamins and minerals holistically. They’re not just ways of improving our quality of life now, but also of improving our quality of life in the long term and expanding our lives so we can enjoy that quality of life for many more years.
Minerals
Minerals hold an important key to achieving our maximum potential longevity. When the right minerals are in our bodies in the right amounts, our cells are able to work to the best of their ability, our telomeres stay long, and our genes are allowed to express themselves the best way they possibly can. On the other hand, when we are deficient in some of the key minerals for longevity, the genes that are responsible for keeping our cells healthy and making us live longer will not be active and we will not enjoy our maximum potential.
Iron
Iron is essential to promoting longevity because of its relationship with vitamin C. Many people assume that the antioxidant powers of vitamin C are all down to the vitamin itself. Even many informed people assume that vitamin C is responsible for iron processing, but that the reverse relationship is not possible. But both are wrong. The relationship between iron and vitamin C goes both ways. Iron helps the antioxidant powers of vitamin C to take effect, helping us reverse the damage done by free radicals and encourage our cells to become and remain youthful. The younger our cells, the longer we will live.
Calcium
Calcium is another mineral which promotes the activation of an antioxidant vitamin. In this case, the presence of vitamin D encourages the body to use calcium to the best of its ability, but the presence of calcium also promotes the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D. What is more, as vitamin D is made inside the body, calcium intake can help promote the creation of even more vitamin D, giving us a healthy dose of this amazing hormonal vitamin.
Zinc
Zinc is another mineral which is essential to keeping our cells working to the best of their ability and promoting longevity. Literally every organ in our bodies works better when we consume enough zinc. Most importantly, our livers and kidneys work far better. This is important because a good liver cleans your body of toxins, and good kidneys will flush these toxins out. When toxins are allowed to build up in the body they degrade us from the inside out, promoting an acidic diet and shortening our lives. On the other hand, when we flush out enough toxins we allow our bodies to heal and we move towards better health and longevity.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals your body needs to thrive. It’s the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and plays several important roles in the health of your body and brain. It’s been known to help with muscle pain and recovery, restful sleep and relaxation, helps with digestion and even depression. Some foods that are good sources of magnesium are pumpkin seeds, spinach and other leafy greens, salmon, avocado, almonds and even dark chocolate.
Salt
Salt gets a bad wrap, especially if you have high blood pressure. But, salt is essential for life in general. It is the main source of sodium and chloride in the human diet. Sodium is essential for nerve and muscle function and is involved in the regulation of fluids in the body. … Chloride ions serve as important electrolytes by regulating blood pH and pressure. Table salt does not have the same benefits because it has been recrystallized or has additional additives combined like iodized salt, so is no longer considered a mineral. Pink Himalayan salt is touted as the ultimate mineral-rich seasoning, said to be the purest of the sea salt family.
Of course this doesn’t mean we should just eat piles and piles of mineral supplements. Over a certain amount, minerals are toxic, which is not good for longevity either. What it does mean is that we need to keep an eye out for mineral deficiencies and either correct our diet or take a supplement if we suspect a deficiency, as this will help us lead long, healthy lives.
