Minerals are very important for the body however, unlike vitamins minerals cannot be made in the body. There are two classifications of minerals major/macrominerals and micro/trace minerals. The body does not produce any minerals therefore they are acquired through outside sources; the much needed inorganic substance comes from the earth's crust; in water, salt, soil, rocks then we eat these absorbed minerals through fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish. You need larger amounts of macrominerals than trace minerals. Most authorities in the field agree that there are about fifteen (15) essential macro and trace minerals (give or take one or two more) that we need.
Vitamins need minerals to function properly throughout the body. Unlike
mineral we need all of the vitamins for optimal health; it is very important to
get real wholefood vitamins in our diet so that the minerals can work properly.
It is not a good idea to take synthetic/isolated/chemical vitamins they do not
work the same in the body with the minerals. Vitamins and mineral work
synergistically they were and are naturally designed to work together
perfectly.
Why are minerals needed? Simply put just as vitamins they help strengthen the body to fight off diseases. Both vitamins and minerals help keep the body balanced and functioning properly; we know a bit more about vitamins than minerals it is important to learn and include minerals in our daily lives as well. When we think of minerals we tend to think rocks or soil but not food or supplements. Mineral benefits and functions are so vast from building and strengthening bones and teeth, maintaining and building connective tissue, building and strengthening the blood, help muscle contraction that surrounds the vagina. Help regulates blood pressure, nerves and muscles. Minerals also help the body's metabolic functions turning food into energy and a whole host of other benefits.
Minerals are inorganic chemical elements/substances made by natural process from the earth‘s crust. Diamond, gold and silver are minerals; minerals are not produced by living or once living things you get them from eating fruits and vegetables that absorb the minerals from nutrient rich soil or by eating meat, poultry or fish and what they eat from the earth or the sea.
Major/macrominerals are calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, chloride, sulfur, potassium these minerals are needed in larger amount in the body to maintain a healthy amount. Minor/trace minerals are greatly needed as well but in smaller amounts in the body iron, selenium, iodine, zinc, copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese, chromium are needed to maintain a healthy body.
Included in the major minerals
are the electrolytes minerals of sodium, bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, calcium,
potassium and phosphates. Electrolytes are special minerals that are located in
all fluids present in the body. They are needed for optimal function of the
muscular system, regulating the body’s water levels as well as other important
body functions.
The role of electrolytes in the body is to help keep the cell membrane strong; electrolytes are the same as Ions just worded differently; Ions are electrically charged atoms that carries specific electrical charges together with the body’s water level. They provide electrical charges on the cellular level to stimulate internal and external body action.
Below are some benefits of each major and minor minerals and how they benefit vaginal health and wellness in no particular order.
Calcium is essential because it support the body's frame, the bones. Weak fragile bones can develop if there isn’t enough calcium stored in the bones. The body will leech calcium from the bones and teeth to help the other uses that calcium provides for the body. Calcium is the most abundant macro-mineral in the body because it is the frame-work of the body. Calcium is needed for proper muscle function in particular, contractions and release.
Calcium is
released triggering contraction which helps vaginal muscle to contract during
intercourse, helps to perform kegal exercise, muscle contraction during delivery;
helps maintain vaginal and pelvic muscle strength as we age. It is also an essential electrolyte an important part of vaginal lubrication. As always it is best to get calcium from food sources and supplement with wholefood vitamins that also contains minerals (not from rocks or shells but rather food).
Magnesium is needed for the production of all hormones it is the fourth most abundant micromineral in the body. Just as all vitamins work together so is the same for minerals; like calcium magnesium supports muscle movement health. Magnesium also help increase blood flow throughout the body as well as through the vagina by decreasing inflammation in the blood vessels. Good blood flow help keep the vagina strong, alert and easily to lubricate; it is getting the nutrient rich blood it needs to feed the vaginal tissue.
Like potassium magnesium deficiency is also closely related to candida. It plays a large part in the removal of the infectious candida's byproduct from the body. Over time as the yeast in the vagina begins to out-grow the good bacteria in the vagina magnesium level decrease due to over-use. So, in other words magnesium deficiency can worsen candida/yeast symptoms and depending on magnesium levels in the body candida/yeast can out produce good bacteria causing magnesium to consistently fight/remove the infection depleting magnesium levels.
Magnesium is not produced in or by the body, we obtain it through food source. The majority of magnesium is stored in the cells of the body organs and tissue and in the bones; a small amount is stored in the blood. When there is a balanced amount magnesium and the other electrolytes together they will help strengthen the vaginal muscle, keeping it flexible and hydrated and able to fight infections before they can take a foothold.
Sodium is needed for optimal health. Too much sodium in the body according to experts is the cause for high blood pressure as well as other issues. The key to sodium health is balance, too much of anything can cause problems. The body itself through the kidneys naturally regulate sodium levels in the body.
Sodium is a salt mineral and one of three major electrolytes; electrolytes are natural chemical substances that carries an electrical charge/signals throughout the cells in the body. The electrical charge flows throughout the body's fluid (blood, urine, sweat); like calcium sodium plays a role in muscle and nerve function. If the body's sodium levels get too low or too high on a consistent bases it can cause weakening/malfunctioning of the cells making them susceptible to diseases.
Unbalanced sodium levels can affect the body's hydration and pH levels as well as the nerves and proper brain function. In turn causing vaginal dryness, infection and muscle weakness. We obtain sodium through proper diet what we eat and drink affect our sodium levels. I personally do not use white table salt instead using pink Himalayan salt (when used properly) gives you a healthier and balanced alternative.
Vaginal lubrication secretes from the vaginal walls and the cervical
glands. A balanced diet and water intake play an important role in healthy body
hydration levels. Upon arousal the vaginal walls fill with blood producing a
nutrient rich secretion (proteins, electrolytes and other body fluids) that lubricates the vagina. Many women who suffer with vaginal dryness or atrophy take medication and such when the issue is probably dietary.
Potassium is also an electrolyte; it is the third most abundant mineral in the body. Balanced amounts of potassium help to level and counter the effect of sodium in the body. It regulates the amount of sodium that stays or leaves the body ( through sweat or urination). All electrolyte minerals work together to conduct electrical charges throughout the body. Potassium cannot be made in or by the body potassium mineral must be eaten through food source or vegetables and fruit based drinks.
A healthy vagina is naturally acidic, this acidic environment ward off bad bacteria and yeast. Through the regulation of the body's water balance potassium assist in vaginal pH too much or too little can affect the balance. A low acidic vagina (3.4 and below) is a breeding ground for disease or infection. Candida a yeast-like fungus is directly related to potassium deficiency and this deficiency is closely related to vaginal yeast infection because it creates an alkaline environment for yeast growth so, in many cases, women who suffer with reoccurring vaginal yeast infection are possibly deficient in electrolytes.
Again potassium along with the other electrolytes help with body muscle conditioning and function; the human body is an intricate biological instrument its muscle content ranges from over 650 to possibly 1000. Low levels or potassium deficiency can lead to vaginal muscle weakness, tension (inflexibility), a lost of vaginal muscle tissue. Some women suffer with vaginal and uterus weakness rendering their reproductive system too weak, impaired and possibly unable to carry or deliver a baby.
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