Minerals are inorganic compounds- Inorganic means they do not contain carbon.  They originate in the earth- in our soils, and cannot be made by living organism.  Plants take up minerals from the soil they grow in – which is how we obtain most of the minerals in our diet –  from the plants we eat or indirectly from animal sources.  The mineral content of soils varies geographically- for example New Zealand and Tasmanian soils are low in Iodine, Australian soils are deficient in Selenium.   Traditional large scale farming of our soils that is not organic uses massive amounts of pesticides and herbicides to keep crops free of bugs and disease- large scale farming depletes soil of its minerals- leaving it hard and dry, and in some cases, unable to be ploughed again for next season, let alone grow a crop that will absorbs what little minerals remain.  If there is no mineral contact left in the soil- our plants are unable to take up the minerals, us humans are then unable to obtain those minerals from the plant- because they are just not there!

Unlike Vitamins…Minerals do not supply energy, they act as co factors to enzymes- that is, they are the catalysts, the things essentially required by the body for correct and efficient function- minerals make up the structure of the body- literally the structure of our bones, they regulate every single cell membrane within our body, maintaining correct acid / alkaline balance and so much more.

All minerals are toxic to our body in large amounts and must be taken under the supervision of a registered practitioner.  Toxic minerals- collectively known as heavy metals can build up in the body and interfere with physiological function.  Aluminium, lead, cadmium and mercury are examples of these. 

Given the ability of heavy metals to poison our body- you would think they be scarce to find – this is not so.   Aluminium for example is a major ingredient in most regular deodorants.   Most people spray Aluminium filled deodorants straight into their arm pits every day for a life time.  Why is this so significant?  Arm pits house some of the bodies lymph nodes.  Lymph nodes act as filters or traps for foreign particles- including heavy metals, and are important in the proper functioning of the immune system. They are packed tightly with the white blood cells called lymphocytes and macrophages.  When you are spraying Aluminium straight into the pores of your arm pits- you are spraying that heavy metal straight into your Lymph Nodes!  The Aluminium builds up over time to toxic levels- oh and as a side note, apart from Lymphatic cancers, Aluminium can induce Alzheimer’s. INDUCE Alzheimer’s my friends- please do not disregard the facts.  Its not just anti-per spirants, you can find Aluminium through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans and the very commonly – often over used antacids.

Due to soil depletion, one mineral we are often deficient in is Selenium.   Selenium is grossly deficient in most of our population.
  
Selenium deficiency is so common within Australia, having such a broad and varying effect across the entire body it is worthy of its own article.   Keep your eye out for an article titled “Selenium – the viral birth control pill”.