Energy is one of the many! Every cell in the body needs minerals! We all know the Mitochondria, the so-called power house of the cell, what people don't know is that it requires minerals to function properly. If you have daily fatigue and weakness it simply means your cells are not functioning at their highest level due to the lack of vitamins and minerals. Minerals are also protectors of the mitochondria by activating additional antioxidant enzymes to reduce oxidative stress. If the Mitochondria is not functioning properly it can accelerate aging, reduce ATP production, and damage the cells. Minerals are essential to the mitochondria so it can create new cells and also prevent them from malfunctioning. If the mitochondria is healthy, that will increase the health of your immune system, hormones, sleep, mental health, mood and more. Minerals the mitochondria needs to function at its optimal level Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, and Zinc.
Minerals and Their Role in Energy Metabolism
Magnesium: Essential for nerves and muscle function
Co Factor in over 600 enzymatic reactions
Required for ATP production
Calcium: Essential for nerve and muscle function
Initiates Fat oxidation
Carries ATP with magnesium
Phosphorus: Structural component of ATP and creatine phosphate
Apart of energy metabolism and balance
Copper: Essential cofactor for the last stage of mitochondrial electron transport
Involved in iron metabolism and balance
Chromium: Potentiates the actions of insulin and glucose uptake
Needed for glycolysis and ATP production
Iron: Essential part of hemoglobin for oxygen transport
Facilitates transfer of electrons in the respiratory chain
Necessary for red blood cell function
Manganese: Cofactor of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and gluconeogenesis
Zinc: Essential for glycolysis and beta- oxidation
Part of over 100 enzymes involved in energy metabolism
Needed for producing thyroid hormones
Selenium: needed for producing thyroid hormones
Needed for glutathione and antioxidant production
Iodine: Needed for producing thyroid hormones
Affects metabolic rate and energy metabolism
Electrolytes and Minerals
Electrolytes are important to help maintain normal fluid levels in the blood. The body can actually actively adjust fluid and electrolyte levels in and out of cells. For example moving sodium and potassium across cell membranes is called active transport that involves ATP. The sodium potassium pump which moves sodium out and potassium into the cell, this process is powered by magnesium and ATP.
In order to avoid electrolyte imbalances which could be fatal you need to be absorbing enough minerals from foods and liquids. Minerals and vitamins actually work together to maintain optimized function. A lack of sodium, B6, and selenium can lead to magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is extremely important because it protects against potassium loss and regulates its levels. Be mindful of ratios of certain products out there!