Institute of Nutritional Science June 1993 – Whiting, S
Trace Mineral Supplementation and The Effect On Total Nutrient Serum Levels
STEVEN E WHITING, Ph.D. – Department of Research and Product Evaluation, The Institute of Nutritional Science, San Diego, CA, USA 92103 April – September, 1993
ABSTRACT: The action of trace minerals as catalysts in a plethora of biochemical bodily functions has long been known. Our goal was to determine the effect of a rapidly absorbed trace mineral source on the serum levels of the full spectrum of known nutrients. Our testing program employed the use of 96 volunteers ranging in age from 23 to 81 years. Some of these individuals were of general good health while others indicated physical problems which ranged from minor to major chronic disease conditions. The only common criteria was that all participants had to have been taking some form of vitamin/ mineral supplementation on a regular basis prior to beginning this study. Samples of nutrientserum levels were taken at the outset as well as several times throughout the day, each day of the program. We found that even though all participants had been taking nutrients, the addition of trace mineral supplementation provided a marked increase in nutrition retention and availability. This was determined by observing a measurable increase in nutrient level in the blood for a greater period of time. Overall, an 86% increase in nutrient availability was demonstrated with the use of trace mineral supplementation as opposed to when the same nutrients were given without the trace minerals.
The role of trace minerals in human biochemistry is well documented. The trace minerals germanium, chromium, iron, iodine, selenium, zinc and even lithium, have received much public attention through the works of leading nutritionists and medical researchers The trace mineral spectrum however, is much wider than these better known minerals. In fact it encompasses over 50 individual minerals. It is established that these trace minerals mentioned above act as catalysts for a wide variety of biochemical activities necessary in the sustaining of human life. Protein metabolism, glucose metabolism, oxygen uptake, immune functions, sexual functions, growth and even metabolic rate are all governed by the proper amounts of trace minerals Nutrient dependency, the concept that vitamins and minerals do not work in isolation but rather are dependent upon each other for their actions, lead us to question if the presence of certain nutrients could enhance the retention of some or all of the others.
Since trace minerals provide the foundation for countless biochemical functions and hence are the basis of human nutrition, upon which all other nutrients are based, we elected to determine the effects of adequate, broad spectrum trace mineral supplementation on the serum levels of all nutrients. For testing we used a liquid trace mineral formula derived exclusively from colloidal sources. To this we supplemented a customized vitamin / mineral formula best suited to the need of each individual participant. No dietary restrictions were imposed, rather each participant was instructed to continue with the same eating habits as they were accustomed. The test program consisted of 96 participants. Age of participants ranged from 23 to 81 years of age with the mean age being 42 A broad cross section of individuals participated in this testing; some had no physical complaints whatsoever, while others suffered from minor complaints. Still others indicated that they are or had been suffering from a variety of chronic conditions After a physical and dietary profile was taken on each participant they were instructed to make no changes in their dietary intake and that they were to stop taking any and all nutrient supplementation for three days prior to the testing. Further, they were to make no changes in their physical activities. Each participant was given a customized vitamin mineral formula in tablet form and instructed to take two tablets with each of three meals daily. Blood samples were drawn and serum nutrient levels for 43 nutrients were measured at varying times throughout the day to determine the serum nutrient levels from the vitamin mineral source. These levels were measured for ten consecutive days to establish a mean level for each of 7 specific times during the 24 hour day. With this pattern established for each participant, we added one ounce of a liquid colloidal trace mineral supplement to the nutrient supplement program of each participant. Again we measured the levels of serum nutrients at the same times during the 24 hour day. Every 10 days we added another ounce of the concentrated colloidal mineral supplement and continued to measure the serum levels of the 43 individual nutrients. This pattern was continued until we reached the level of 6 ounces of the trace mineral supplement. The results of this controlled study clearly indicated that the presence of broad spectrum trace minerals together with proper nutrient supplementation provides a marked increase in the overall nutrient retention of all nutrients tested.
The most dramatic increase in retention was observed in the B-complex group and in Ascorbic Acid, water soluble nutrients that are typically lost rather rapidly via the urine. As we increased the level of trace mineral supplement, the time between ingestion and dissipation of these water soluble nutrients increase proportionately. This was observed up to the level of 4 ounces a day of the colloidal mineral base, after which higher doses did not seem to make any marked difference. While further testing is necessary, it would seem that trace mineral supplementation not only provides the human biochemistry with the catalysts of life but somehow assists the body in regulating the nutrient levels of all essential vitamins and minerals. Further we feel that by using specialized nutrient formulas for each of the individual participants, we were able to increase the initial availability of those nutrients specifically needed by that participant. Physiological effects observed by a majority of the participants included increased energy, lack of fatigue at typical hours during the day, sharper cognitive response later in the day than typical, and in some cases, an improvement or cessation of some or all of their physical complaints.
What the Vitamin Crowd Never Tells You About Their Supplements
When you take a vitamin-mineral tablet, you are taking what is called “metallic minerals” You only absorb 8-12% of these metallic minerals, the rest passes through you. If you talk to a chiropractor who x-rays patients, he’ll tell you what he sometimes sees lined up in the small intestines: WHOLE vitamin & mineral tablets, like little boxcars, taking a long ride through the intestines. Before you can use even the normal 8-12% of a metallic mineral, the WHOLE mineral must be broken down by your body. That’s asking a lot of a body unless it’s already in top shape. The health food industry had a problem. Then in the late ‘ 70′s, they developed chelated minerals: wrapping amino acids or protein around the minerals helps the body metabolize them. This results in slightly over 50% absorption at best. Keep in mind … metallic minerals (also known as elemental minerals or salts) come from oyster shell, calcium carbonate, limestone, clay, sea salts. Supposedly, too much of some of these elements can have toxic effects on your body. Human beings are NOT able to efficiently absorb them or to use them. Certain animals are, but we are not. Nevertheless, that’s where the minerals in most mineral tablets come from.
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