Complete List of Essential Trace Minerals: Food Sources & Benefits

All life on Earth (including us) is fueled by chemical reactions between different elements. The chemical elements vital for our survival are more commonly known as trace minerals, which form part of a broader category of essential nutrients.

Without trace minerals and other essential nutrients, our cells would not be able to grow, function or produce any of the enzymes or hormones we need to sustain everyday living. Even creation itself would likely not have been possible!

The planet is a rich source of all these nutrients, being loaded with carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, metals and other life essential mineral ores. Our bodies do not make these minerals, so we have to extract them from our environment.

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made with this website (and any accompanying material) have not been evaluated by FDA and not intended to replace the attention or advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional. Shilajit is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Shilajit does contain trace minerals but due to the small serving size it shall not be used in case of mineral deficiency or any mineral-related health issues. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of minerals in body metabolism.

All the above values approximate a safe range of daily nutrients to meet wellness requirements in 97.5% individuals. 53
Some minerals have no known upper limits and can be eaten in larger amounts, like potassium.
***The tolerable upper limit for magnesium supplements is 350mg but it can be eaten in much larger doses from food sources.
**Estimated Average Daily Intakes (Not necessarily the average wellness requirement)
UL = Upper Limit
ULU = Upper Limit Unknown

However, most minerals come in an inert or inorganic form, which our bodies cannot absorb – such as metal ores.

What is the difference between organic and inorganic trace minerals?

In spite of these facts, no pure trace minerals supplements can ever be labeled as 'certified organic' (unless they contain organic plant additives), as they are not deemed to be organic.

We typically get these trace minerals in the form of food, after plants or other organisms have broken them down, converting them into an organic form.

If this were not the case, survival could be as simple as sucking on some rocks!

The story is more complicated than that however.

Where have all the trace minerals gone?

Many people worldwide are deficient in trace minerals due to poor quality of soils, overexposure to pollution, and an unwellness lifestyle riddled with stress and many other considerations that detract from our body’s nutritional resources.

These are all factors that prevent us from accessing or absorbing the trace minerals we need.

If you feel like you have lost your affinity with the stars, the key lies in consuming a well balance of trace minerals to unlock your inner shine!

How Essential Nutrients Are Classified & Why We Need Them

Macronutrients

We need macronutrients in sizeable amounts for energy.

Basic elements such as oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen also fall under this category. These are often dismissed as they are catered for automatically (through breathing, for example).

However, no matter how much of these you eat, your body cannot absorb, process or metabolize them without adequate micronutrients!

The other macronutrients include fats, proteins and carbs, which constitute primarily what we eat. We use all of these to repair bodily tissues, make hormones and neurotransmitters, form DNA and to promote wellnessy digestion.

Micronutrients

This is the part of our diet that is often neglected the most.

Micronutrients consist of trace minerals and vitamins, and are found in microscopic amounts in a well-balanced diet.

Just because we need these compounds in small amounts does not make them less important.

In fact, the reality is quite the opposite.

Without trace minerals and vitamins, you would not be able to use any macronutrients, and your immune system (plus many bodily functions) would suffer. It’s not news that depriving oneself of nutrition promotes an negative sense of well-being and tends to degrade one’s quality of life. A rainbow diet loaded with nutrients is key to colouring our worlds happy!

Trace Minerals vs Vitamins

Many people focus on getting enough Vitamins in their diet with a multivitamin, while the majority do not know why trace minerals are important. Without trace minerals, multiple vitamins would not be effectively metabolized by our bodies and vice versa. 47 These compounds both work together to achieve a harmonious balance within all our cells.

Moreover, plants and bacteria need trace minerals from the soil in a special form to produce enzymes, DNA and catalyze reactions, which in turn allow them to synthesize vitamins. Animals ingest trace minerals from plant-based sources, also using them to produce certain vitamins in the same fashion. In other words, vitamins could not exist without trace minerals!

What is the difference between trace minerals and vitamins?

The difference is that vitamins are organic compounds, only synthesized by animals and plants. Trace minerals are inorganic elements that are absorbed by living organisms through their diet or environment. 48

Traditionally, vitamins are more sensitive to heat, light or oxygen exposure than minerals. However, trace minerals can lose their high bioavailability if exposed to these factors too due to the destruction of chemical bonds. Plant-based trace minerals that are bound to organic salts or fulvic acid, for example, will have a higher bioavailability which can be destroyed when in contact with heat or exposed to light or air.

A Brief Word on Trace Mineral Absorption

Why is trace mineral absorption so important? If we do not absorb the minerals we ingest, then they do not access the majority of our cells and therefore contribute no benefits to our well-being; aside from possibly aiding digestion, depending on the mineral. Malabsorption of trace minerals results in a body that functions at a much reduced capacity. It is important to opt for trace minerals in an absorbable form that offers a good bioavailability - such as plant-based trace minerals - so that the body can actually benefit.

What is bioavailability?

Bioavailability is the proportion or percentage of a substance that enters bodily circulation from the digestive tract and is therefore the amount of the substance that has an active effect on us.

There are also certain nutrients that either inhibit or enhance the absorption of trace minerals, making it slightly more complicated than simply ingesting plant-based trace minerals. In the sections below, we will elaborate on that under each specific mineral so you can successfully optimize your diet!

Is it easier to absorb plant based minerals?

The answer is yes. We are far more compatible with ingesting our trace minerals from plants and other dietary sources as these forms of minerals are bound to organic acids, salts and other substances that allow for easier absorption. Furthermore, the size of plant-based trace mineral particles are usually much smaller than that of inorganic trace minerals, adding to their high bioavailability.

Let’s take a deeper look at precisely why trace minerals are so important for wellbeing!

Trace Minerals That We Need Every Day & Their Health Benefits

Let’s take a look at what each of these essential minerals does in our bodies, how to keep each of them in balance and where we can get more of them!

Macro Trace Minerals

The first six trace minerals in this list (potassium, chlorine, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) are classified as macro minerals, while the rest are micro minerals.

We need relatively more macro minerals than micro minerals, but the quantities are still thought of as trace amounts when compared to other essential nutrients.

Are trace minerals electrolytes?

Electrolytes are trace minerals that maintain fluid balance and electrochemical status in our bodies and cells. Not all trace minerals can function as electrolytes.

What trace minerals function as electrolytes?

There are five trace minerals that constitute our body's electrolytes: potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium and calcium. Read more about them below!

Potassium

Potassium is one of the trace minerals that your body needs in substantial amounts to maintain optimal wellness and well-being. 1

It is regarded as one of the primary electrolytes. Potassium is used to maintain fluid balance, kidney function, proper nerve function, muscle contraction (including our heart beat), as well as encourage transportation of compounds in and out of cells. 2

This trace mineral is also very important for retaining calcium in bones and for converting blood sugar into glycogen, which is the form we store and use it in.

Did You Know?

Most people do not consume adequate amounts of potassium and consume far too much sodium, promoting elevated blood pressure and erratic spikes in blood sugar levels. One should be eating double the amount of potassium to sodium.

To counter this, a potassium supplement or potassium salt substitute may be effective.

However, we still need some sodium to function and using potassium salts may not be useful for kidney wellness. They may also have unwarranted unpleasant effects such as promoting gut discomfort in sensitive individuals. Ultimately it is still best to get your trace mineral potassium requirements from whole food sources.

• Citrus and vine fruits.
• Root and bulb vegetables.
• Leafy green vegetables.
• Bananas.
• Legumes.
• Nuts.
• Tomatoes.
• Broccoli.

Sodium

Sodium works together with chlorine and potassium to keep fluids, acids, bases and ions balanced in the body. 5

You need some sodium to ensure all cells are performing properly 6, for optimal kidney function, nerve synapses and muscle contractions.

Most people are consuming roughly 30-60% more sodium per day than they ought to be and this may be one reason we are seeing a general rise in blood pressure issues around the globe. Clinical trials have also linked excess sodium with an under-functioning heart and kidneys as it detracts from bodily potassium stores.

Potassium appears to block the absorption of sodium, along with acids or a decrease in pH. 8 Corticosteroids and antidiuretic hormone appear to enhance sodium absorption 9, which probably explains why stress can elevate blood pressure!

• Dietary salts (all salt contains sodium or it can’t be defined as a salt).
• Seafood.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a substance that is present in all fluids the body makes, such as stomach acid (hydrochloric acid). Like sodium and potassium, chlorine is also responsible for fluid balance, electrical neutrality and balancing acids and bases. 10

Did You Know?

Chlorine (in the form of chloride) is a negatively charged ion which is used by the body to balance potassium and sodium, both of which have a positive charge. The three work together to pump fluids in and out of cells (the ‘sodium-potassium pump’) and this motion is also largely involved in muscle contractions.

Absorption & Bioavailability

Similarly to sodium, and slightly counterintuitive, eating acidic foods appears to inhibit the absorption of chlorine.

Dietary Sources

• Table Salt.
• Seaweed.
• Olives.
• Tomatoes.
• Celery.
• Lettuce.

Calcium

Calcium is required for bones, teeth and nails. This is hence the “trace mineral” that constitutes the largest percentage of your body weight.

It is also used by muscles, blood vessels, nerve cells, and in glands to make enzymes and hormones. 12

Having moderate amounts of calcium on a daily basis encourages the thyroid to increase parathyroid hormone. This in turn heightens the body’s production of Vitamin D3, which allows for more calcium to be absorbed through the intestinal tract.

Absorption & Bioavailability

Calcium absorption 13 is impaired through oxalates, phytates, troubles absorbing fats, and ingesting too much calcium on a daily basis.

Vitamin D3 (which is generally converted from D2 through sunlight) is necessary for the absorption of calcium. Additionally, Vitamin K2 is required to ensure our bones retain calcium and a lack thereof results in calcium loss.

Many people are calcium deficient as a result of over-consumption as well as Vitamin D3 and K2 deficiencies.

Magnesium and phosphorus are also required to effectively absorb calcium, other trace minerals we need to ensure we get enough of to maintain our inner radiance!

Aluminium prevents the absorption of calcium. 14

Dietary Sources

• Organic natural dairy products, particularly natural yoghurts and those cultured with whey proteins for easy digestion.
• Fish such as sardines and salmon.
• Leafy green vegetables low in oxalates such as cooked kale, spinach and watercress.
• Avoid “calcium-enriched” foods as these will likely be enriched with a form of calcium that is not bioavailable (inorganic).

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the trace minerals we need in the largest quantities for nearly every bodily process. 15

We use it mainly for muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure and glucose levels, and for maintaining protein, bones and DNA.

Magnesium in combination with Vitamin C, acts as an effective natural laxative and often provides immediate relief. Consuming adequate amounts of each on a daily basis helps to maintain regularity.

This trace mineral also facilitates muscle relaxation, which may be helpful for lessening the intensity of stress.

While calcium requires magnesium for absorption, if the intake of calcium is too high, one will absorb neither calcium or magnesium!

Boron is another essential trace mineral that appears to enhance magnesium absorption.

Alcohol, diuretics and contraceptives all hinder the absorption of magnesium from our diets.

• Green leafy vegetables.
• Cacao (dark chocolate).
• Nuts and seeds.
• Legumes.
• Cereals.
• Natural organic yoghurt, whey and similar dairy products.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is another acidic trace mineral that the body needs for bones, nerve cells, muscles, DNA production, and fat metabolism.

It is the main component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy storage molecule and is thus important for energy production and a working immune system.

It comes second to calcium in terms of total body mass, making up a large portion of the nucleus and cytoplasm of most cells in the body. 16

Soft drinks contain about 500 milligrams of phosphorus per serving without any calcium, making this one of the leading contributors to poor wellness worldwide.

Phytates found in grains, nuts and seeds tends to bind to phosphorus, preventing us from absorbing up to 50%. Fermenting these foods or cooking them can enhance bioavailability.

• Eggs.
• Natural Milk and dairy.
• Legumes.
• Nuts and seeds.
• Whole grains.
• Meat.

Micro Trace Minerals

While the following trace minerals are needed in relatively smaller amounts, they more than make up for quantity in terms of the diversity required!

Iron

Iron is primarily needed for transporting oxygen around the body (in the form of blood) and making red blood cells. Many important proteins and enzymes are created from iron too.

Our required daily iron intake is almost insignificant, as 95% of the iron used to create hemoglobin actually comes from recycling dead red blood cells. The last 5% should come from dietary sources in trace amounts or one could contract iron poisoning.

Absorption & Bioavailability

Phytic acid found in cereal bran and plant polyphenols, such as tannins, block the uptake of iron. Other substances that hamper iron absorption include calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin C enhances iron absorption.

Dietary Sources

• Vegetables.
• Meat, especially red meat and organ meats.
• Fermented grains and cereals (which have reduced phytic acid).

Zinc

Another “universal” trace mineral, Zinc is found literally everywhere in the human body. 18

It plays a huge role in maintaining your immune system, facilitating toxin elimination, and providing antioxidant protection. The body uses zinc to make DNA and other proteins, to grow, develop and repair tissues.

Zinc lozenges exist because the mineral is known to potentially soothe a sore throat and give our immunes a boost.

Phytates, iron, and tin tend to negatively intervene with zinc absorption, while animal proteins increase it’s uptake.

• Oysters.
• Legumes.
• Lean red meat.
• Natural dairy products and whey.
• Wholegrains.

Manganese

Manganese is a trace mineral that is intimately involved with how enzymes interact in the body.

Other roles of Manganese include energy metabolism, thyroid hormone potency, blood sugar regulation, cerebral performance, and keeping free radicals in check.

Manganese supplementation has been used by athletes to help with protein and amino acid digestion and utilization. It directly interacts with the immune system and boosts the level of bodily antioxidants.

Teas have the best form of Manganese for absorption.

High amounts of iron, calcium, phosphorus, phytate and insoluble fiber appear to inhibit absorption.

• Cereals and wholegrains.
• Nuts.
• Ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and other spices.
• Tea.

Copper

Copper is used in many bodily processes, but it is most important in blood where it works with iron to bind to oxygen.

This trace mineral is also used to move chemical components around the body 19, catalyze reactions 20, create enzymes and hormones, as well as promote organ and nerve wellness.

Even though severe copper deficiency is rare, studies reveal that the majority of individuals do not meet their daily dietary needs for copper consumption. 24

Absorption & Bioavailability

Fruit sugars appear to enhance the absorption of copper more than starch, along with iron, manganese, zinc, calcium and magnesium.

Overdosing on zinc supplements may cause a serious copper deficiency.

Cadmium and other heavy metals inhibit the absorption of copper.

Dietary Sources

Copper is found in most fruits and vegetables in trace amounts. Foods with high levels of copper include:

• Liver, Kidney and other organ meats.
• Green, leafy vegetables (copper is a main component of Chlorophyll).
• Shellfish.
• Nuts.
• Unrefined wholegrain cereals.

Iodine

Iodine is primarily used to create thyroid hormones, which in turn regulates metabolism and overall homeostasis in the body. 25

Iodine is also used by the body to combat the effects of radiation. In this day and age, electronic devices, cellphone masts and gaping holes in the ozone layer have contributed to an increased level of planetary radiation.

Eating too many brassica vegetables can deplete iodine as they contain ‘goitrogens’. High levels of dietary arsenic, potassium, bromine, fluorine and calcium can also lower iodine absorption, as can low levels of manganese and selenium.

Dietary Sources

• Seafood such as fish, cod liver oil, seaweed, sea salt and algae.
• Eggs.
• Many vegetables contain trace amounts of iodine from the soil.
• Ordinary table salt is iodized to combat deficiency. However, it is also bleached and often contains Aluminium-based additives, which can interfere with trace mineral absorption.

Chromium

Chromium is a trace mineral widely found in both plant and animal dietary sources.

This trace mineral is primarily used to maintain blood sugar levels and it is noted that less insulin is needed by the body when higher levels of Chromium are present. 26 It’s also needed in tiny amounts for the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. 27

A recent study has shown that Chromium is found in the bone of hip joints, but was reported to be significantly lower in those with frail bones. 28 This suggests that it may play a role in maintaining bone vitality as well!

Chromium is commonly added to diabetic drips in hospitals to aid sugar metabolism. It does this by enhancing the action of insulin.

Antacid and phytates can prevent the absorption of Chromium. Excessive amounts of Zinc or Iron may deplete Chromium as they compete during metabolism.

Vitamin C and certain organic acids enhance the absorption of Chromium.

Many grains, fruits and vegetables contain Chromium in trace amounts. The below foods have higher amounts.

• Black Pepper and other spices.
• Broccoli.
• Brewer’s Yeast.
• Meat.
• Mushrooms.
• Asparagus.
• Nuts.
• Raisins (grapes).
• Prunes (Plums).
• Stainless Steel cooking equipment and containers may provide extra dietary Chromium when in contact with acidic substances.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a crucial component of enzymes that the body needs to metabolize chemical compounds with.

For example, this trace mineral forms a part of sulfite oxidase, which is necessary to break down all sulfur containing components within the body.

Ingesting too much molybdenum results in highly acidic joints and muscles, but has no other known toxic side effects. 29

There is little information on Molybdenum’s absorption as it’s required in microscopic amounts. Most people receive adequate doses from their diets.

Dietary Sources

Many foods contain this trace element, however these foods are some of the richest sources:

• Legumes.
• Wholegrains.
• Cauliflower.
• Spinach.
• Garlic.

Selenium

Selenium is required by our bodies for reproduction, DNA production, thyroid function, bone wellness and reducing free radical activity 30. 30

Selenium appears to play a key role in sustaining our overall youth and vitality. Given that it decreases as we grow older and the body needs it to protect against free radical damage; maintaining adequate levels of Selenium may be a requirement for graceful aging!

Consuming lower amounts of Selenium daily results in better absorption of this trace mineral. In a diet rich in the amino acid Methionine, less Selenium is required and thus less is absorbed.

Vitamin C tends to enhance it’s absorption when Selenium is consumed in an organic form.

Heavy metals reduce it’s bioavailability by binding to Selenium before the body can absorb it. Soluble fiber also inhibits the absorption of Selenium.

Most foods contain Selenium, but the amounts vary depending on the quality of the soil. The below foods are rich in Selenium:

• Brazil nuts.
• Mushrooms.
• Seafood.
• Specific Selenium-containing Yeasts.
• Meat, poultry and natural dairy products.
• Cereals and wholegrains.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a trace mineral that forms a part of vitamin B-12 after being digested by organisms.

Our bodies need it for making red blood cells, maintaining neuronal wellness, metabolizing sugar and activating enzymes. It can be used to replace zinc or manganese in certain chemical reactions. 31

Vegetarians may be deficient in B12 as animal products appear to be the only food source for it.

However this is not necessarily the case. Recent research on the gut microbiome has revealed that our friendly probiotic bacteria are also capable of producing this vitamin, if fed with enough soluble fiber and nutrients to sustain a beneficial colony in there!

Although cobalt is found in many foods, we can only absorb it in the form of B-12. Some probiotic bacteria convert it into B-12 in our guts, which means that probiotics enhance absorption of cobalt from foods.

Impaired thyroid function, a lack of saliva or ‘R Protein’ can result in malabsorption of B12. 32

Dietary Sources

• Natural dairy products.
• Eggs.
• Whey protein.
• Red meat.
• Root and bulb vegetables (taken with probiotics).
• Algae.

Bromine

Bromine was originally considered non-essential, but it was recently discovered to have an important function.

It’s needed in microscopic amounts for the utilization of collagen and for enhancing the integrity of specific cellular membranes in the body. 33

Many are exposed to toxic levels of Bromine in their drinking water and ought to filter their water to ensure optimal well-being.

Bromine is readily absorbed through inhalation, the skin and the gut. Iodine appears to replace bromine in the body and promotes better excretion of excess bromine. 35

• Fish.
• Nuts.
• Drinking water.

Nickel

Nickel is another new essential trace mineral discovery in the human body. We use it in minute quantities for hormonal activity, urea production and metabolism of fats. 36

Some electronic devices are coated with nickel, which may be absorbed through the skin. Exposure to large amounts of this mineral should be taken into consideration, as it is known to accumulate in bodily tissues, theoretically capable of inducing toxicity and potential liver damage when concentrations reach a high enough level.

Nickel is readily absorbed through respiration, the skin and gut. Not much is known on what inhibits or enhances it’s uptake, although in large doses it appears to interfere with the uptake of Magnesium and Zinc. 37

All wholefoods contain trace amounts of nickel in enough quantities that satisfy daily needs.

Boron

Boron is necessary for wellnessy bones and plays an important role in bone tissue regeneration. It is also utilized by the body for hormone activation and regulation, such as estrogen and vitamin D.

Other bodily functions that make use of Boron include nutrient absorption, antioxidant production. 38

Boron is one of the main reasons why those who eat a plant-based diet appear to have stronger bones than those who don’t. A lack of green foods in your diet will increase your risk for boron deficiency.

Absorption & Bioavailability

Little is known about Boron absorption, although Boron appears to enhance the absorption of Magnesium. Current research reveals that it may enhance the uptake of several other trace minerals too 39!

Dietary Sources

• Legumes.
• Most Fruits and Vegetables.
• Tubers.

Silicon

Silicon is needed in trace amounts by the body to cross-link collagen, which in turn makes for firmly toned skin and muscles, as well as for bone formation. 40

Silicon happens to be the main component of clays and sands!

However, we cannot eat sand or absorb silicon from it in this form. Instead, the body readily absorbs silicon in it’s organic form, known as silicic acid.

Little has been investigated regarding silicon absorption, aside from the fact that it cannot be absorbed in its inorganic form. Interestingly, it seems that men absorb more of it than women. 42

Many foods are high in silicon as it is so abundant in nature. The below foods contained higher amounts of silicon when tested:

• Unrefined wholegrains.
• Bananas and fiber-rich foods.
• Legumes.
• Beetroot.

Vanadium

Little is known about vanadium as a trace mineral. Researchers believe that it plays a role in hormonal function, cholesterol regulation, and sugar metabolism, but are still in two minds about whether it is essential or not.

Vanadium was actually named after the Scandinavian Goddess of beauty, youth and luster. Since it is speculated to be linked to hormone function and sugar metabolism, this may hold a gem of truth to it!

Very little vanadium is absorbed through our diet and not much research has gone into what enhances or inhibits it.

• Nuts and seeds.
• Wholegrains.
• Parsley.
• Olives.
• Legumes.
• Root vegetables.

Possibly Essential (& Highly Controversial) Trace Minerals

The following trace minerals have a high affinity within our bodies, but their essentiality has not been confirmed.

• Lithium
• Aluminum
• Arsenic
• Strontium
• Germanium
• Lead
• Rubidium
• Tin

Most of them are capable of interacting in chemical processes or are found to accumulate in our bones and muscles. However, since no side effects of deficiency have been observed, researchers are uncertain about whether we need them or not.

In some cases, deficiencies in these trace minerals have correlated with growth abnormalities and weaknesses in animals, such as goats, cows and chickens. This has made scientists hesitant to classify them as non-essential to humans.

In spite of that, all of them are toxic in large quantities and tend to accumulate in our systems over time, acquiring the status of being known as a ‘heavy metals’.

Are trace minerals safe?

If taken in the right form and in balanced amounts, the answer is yes. Too little or too much of any essential trace mineral can significantly hamper our well-being and is even potentially fatal, depending on the severity! Trace minerals that are not essential tend to be dangerous in large amounts, however in ultra trace amounts, none of them appear to be harmful. For example, minute quantities of these trace minerals are floating around in the dust we breathe, in the oceans and other areas, yet they do not have harmful side effects. These minerals are also in a chelated form, rendering them more or less inert.

9 Strategies For Improving Your Trace Mineral Balance & Fighting Off Poor Nutrition

Eating a highly refined diet with excessive amounts of sodium, transfats, sugar and starch will often result in nutritional deficiencies, a lesser quality of life and reduced overall well-being.

Even just small lifestyle changes can result in better nutrition, enhanced absorption and less trace mineral loss. Get back in touch with your inner star stuff by implementing the strategies below!

#1 Eat More Raw Wholefoods

Over-cooking many kinds of food tends to deplete the nutritional value, particularly the trace mineral content.

Not all foods should be consumed raw, but many foods could be to increase the level of nutrition in one’s diet.

Include a larger variety of raw foods into your diet, such as salads, whole fruits, smoothies, sprouted nuts and seeds to boost your trace mineral count. Get creative with carrot tops, beet greens, olives, berries, unusually colored fruits, onions, leeks, cabbage, cauliflower and more, as these are all viable sources of raw food goodness!

Leafy, green vegetables such as kale and spinach should also be ingested raw from time to time. These contain some of the highest sources of trace minerals and yet heating them depletes this.

On the other hand, leafy greens are also high in oxalic acid which can deplete calcium stores from your body. One should consume a balance of both raw and cooked leafy green vegetables to reap the full benefits.

#2 Focus On How You Eat (Literally!)

Interestingly, some studies have confirmed that what you eat is not the full story – how you eat is also important for better digestion and absorption of nutrients!

People who take more time chewing their foods and who chew foods with a tougher texture (like raw foods) proved to extract more from their meals than those who didn’t.

Many people in today’s world eat on the go, not taking the time to sit down and enjoy a proper meal.

Science proves that this does impact our nutritional status. Sitting down at a table has shown to be better for digestion, than standing or walking around.

In both instances, more attention is given to the food. The body pays attention and signals for more stomach acids to be released to digest tougher foods. If one is busy with other things or on the go, less energy is expended on digestion.

#3 A Paleo ‘Hunter Gatherer’ Diet

In response to nutritional deficiency and the emerging unwellnessy modern lifestyle, the Paleo Movement was started. 43

The paleo diet focuses on consuming foods that were common to Paleolithic man. It’s high in wellnessy proteins and fats, while being low in refined carbohydrates with a much larger variety of natural fruits and vegetables.

This diet contains far more trace minerals and nutrients than what the average American eats. It also includes a far more balanced fat profile, which allows for a much larger intake of these valuable nutrients.

#4 Super Foods

Super foods are highly effective when in need of a quick trace mineral boost!

These are natural foods that contain ridiculously large amounts of vitamins, antioxidants and trace minerals, such as raw pure cacao. Other examples include:

• Camu-camu
• Blue-green algae
• Chlorophyll
• Ecklonia Cava
• Acai Berries
• Lucuma
• Chia Seeds
• Maca

One can usually purchase them in powdered form and add them to smoothies and other raw foods with ease.

#5 Intensive Supplementation

Consult a healthcare practitioner before going on any intensive supplementation.

Another way to go about boosting trace minerals is by taking supplements. Most supplements offer trace minerals in a synthetic inorganic form as opposed to an organic plant-based form.

It's not recommended to take trace minerals in a synthetic form, as in most cases more is absorbed from natural sources. Not to mention, synthetic minerals are known to generate free radicals in the gut, potentially promoting discomfort and bowel issues.

Does food cover our daily requirements for trace minerals or do we need a trace minerals supplement?

It depends on the source of your food, however most research in the last couple of decades is pointing to the fact that the modern diet does not adequately cover our needs.

Most foods are not sufficient to cover our trace mineral requirements due to poor farming practices and other modern lifestyle choices which inhibit absorption of nutrients, like pharmaceuticals and lots of coffee. Processed food is often stripped of minerals too and does little for our trace mineral count.

If you have a very clean diet of only non-GMO, organic and free range foods with a larger emphasis on greens, then you will likely fulfill your nutritional requirements better. However, this kind of food is pricey and access is limited for the majority of people. So for the most part, neither a trace minerals supplement or a good diet alone is enough to cover nutritional requirements, and as such the two should be done together for the best results.

What is the difference between ionic trace minerals, colloidal trace minerals, chelated trace minerals and angstroms?

• Ionic trace minerals are minerals in the form of ions, which means that they carry an electric charge. 49 Ions can be the size of either atoms or molecules.
• Colloids are substances that are substantially larger than atoms or molecules in size, yet still too small to see with the naked eye. 50 Colloidal trace minerals are larger sized particles than ionic trace minerals, which are typically harder to absorb.
• Chelated trace minerals are minerals which have undergone chelation. This means that ions form bonds around a central atom, which is usually an elemental metal ion. 51 Chelated trace minerals can also be referred to as trace mineral complexes. 52 This is a very stable form of minerals found throughout nature (in soil, clays, peat, etc), with heavy metals or destructive ions being rendered inert.
• Angstroms are units of atomic measurement used to describe wavelengths, atomic particles or distances between atoms.

Are water-soluble minerals better than pill, tablet or capsule forms?

Water-soluble minerals are easier for the body to absorb as pills, tablets and capsules require further digestion to break them down into their trace mineral components. These other forms also tend to include additives, binders, and fillers which can inhibit absorption or cause bowel upsets.

#6 Probiotics

Numerous essential short-chain fatty acids are manufactured by the probiotic bacteria in the gut.

These bacteria break down the contents of our food to extract more trace minerals and nutrients, synergistically converting them to a bioavailable form for both themselves and us.

Through the use of antibiotics, disinfectants, consuming too many refined foods and not enough prebiotic fibers, the integrity of our microbiome is often compromised, resulting in less nutritional absorption.

You can bolster your gut wellness by increasing your fiber and probiotic food intake, which our gut bugs need to flourish. Probiotic supplements and foods such as sauerkraut, whey and other natural fermented foods are good places to start.

#7 Mindfulness Meditation

You’re probably wondering what meditation has to do at all with nutrition. You would be surprised.

When we get stressed, the body depletes its stores of trace minerals at a much faster rate to produce stress hormones and to give us enough energy for a fight-or-flight response. Free radicals are also often released. These tend to have negative effect on wellness, which also causes the body to use more of it’s trace minerals in order to protect itself.

Stress also inhibits the absorption of trace minerals. So on top of depleting them rapidly, we are impaired in our ability to absorb more of them from our food precisely when we need them the most!

Mindfulness meditation comes in handy as a technique to lower our overall stress levels. This in turn keeps our trace mineral levels balanced, optimizing their absorption and preventing their rapid depletion.

#8 Regular Exercise

Exercising regularly helps in many of the same ways that mindfulness meditation does, by protecting against free radicals and lowering stress.

Certain weight-bearing exercise can help to increase bone strength and integrity. The research suggests that it does not build bone, but helps maintain balanced bone mineral levels. 44

Studies show that frequent exercise yields more wellness benefits than irregular or intensive exercise. The latter tends to have a negative impact on nutrition as it suppresses the immune system, resulting in free radical release.

#9 Naturall Fulvic Acid

Fulvic acids form a group of natural by-products from a soil ecology, produced by billions of bacteria.

These by-products are extracted from humus (decomposing organic soil matter) along with humic acids. It’s also found in natural bodies of water, rock sediments and in trace amounts on root and bulb vegetables.

Fulvic acid has a high affinity for trace minerals and supplementing with fulvic acid can enhance the absorption of these minerals in the gut. It also encourages a wellnessy microbiome for intestinal flora to flourish by setting the right pH.

Fulvic acid may also be able to enhance our cognition, which is not surprising if it helps boost our nutrient intake 45!

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