Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Macrominerals play an important role in maintaining the health of musculoskeletal system, brain function, cardiovascular system, and reproductive function. They are found in the body in abundance. Macrominerals are those for which the daily requirement is more than 100mg. They include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. About 98% of the calcium is deposited in the bones, while remaining 2% is present in the intracellular fluids and soft tissues. Calcium plays a vital role in maintaining the health and strength of bones. It is required for the storage of important minerals in the bones. It assists in the secretion of hormones and helps prevent accumulation of too much acid in the body. It supports the process of blood clotting and affects muscle contraction, nerve transmission, neurotransmitters and muscle growth.

The rich dietary sources of calcium include broccoli, spinach, peas, kale, mustard greens, salmon, sardines, tofu, yoghurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, milk, baked beans, blackstrap molasses and sesame seeds.

A regular intake of calcium is recommended in ailments like backache, rickets, osteopenia, osteoporosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, constipation, cataracts, mental illness, insomnia, nail problems, acne and colon cancer. People suffering from these medical conditions are often advised to take a dietary supplement that contains calcium in its formulation.

Natures Aid Calcium 400mg (Chewable) is a popular brand on the market that promotes strong bones and healthy teeth. It makes a great gift for children, pregnant women and elderly. It is suitable for people who are allergic to milk and vegetarians.

Renal Osteodystrophy is a medical condition that is characterized by the inability of kidneys to maintain the proper levels of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and calcium in the blood. Renal Osteodystrophy is common among people with kidney disease and dialysis patients. In children, this condition slows bone remodelling and causes bone deformities such as renal rickets and short stature. Adults do not develop symptoms until they have been on dialysis for several years. Post menopausal women and elderly people are more likely to develop this disease due to the low bone mineral density.

The typical symptoms of renal osteodystrophy include joint pain, fatigue and bone fractures .It can be diagnosed with blood tests and a bone biopsy. Treatment options include changes in diet, controlling PTH levels, medications that help bind phosphorus in the bowel, performing a regular physical activity and taking a calcium supplement on a regular basis.

Bio Health EXTRA CALCIUM is a popular brand on the market that aids the replacement of used calcium reserves throughout the body. It helps support and maintains healthy teeth and bones and reduces the symptoms of numerous bone diseases including renal osteodystrophy. Calcium capsules also contain vitamin D to ensure full utilization of the calcium. These bone strengthening nutrients make bones healthier and stronger. This supplement dissolves within 5 minutes on ingestion and is totally additive-free. Moreover, Bio Health EXTRA CALCIUM does not make use of synthetic preservatives, artificial colours, chemical excipients, fillers, binders, sugar, salt, gluten, starch or lactose in its formulation.

A regular consumption of macro- as well as micro-minerals is essential to maintain your health and well-being. They are important for hormone development, metabolic and cellular processes, healthy musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and brain health. Macro-minerals include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, while micro-minerals include selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum and boron. There are numerous mineral-deficiency diseases that can occur if you are consistently short on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and legumes.

Calcium is a very important macro-mineral that helps maintain the health of your bones and teeth. It can be obtained from cheese, milk, green-leafy vegetables, turnip, broccoli and sardines. The recommended daily allowance for calcium is about 800 mg. A calcium deficiency can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia, osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults.

Selenium is a micro-mineral that plays an important role in the breakdown of body chemicals. Lean meats, seafood, seeds and grains make rich dietary sources of selenium. A deficiency of selenium may lead to excess fat deposits in the body.

Make sure that you regularly use a dietary supplement to provide your body with important minerals. Natures Own Wholefood MinsMultiminerals is a unique and revolutionary brand that makes the most natural source of minerals available. It contains naturally occurring phytonutrients and essential minerals that promote brain health, improve immune function and destroy free radicals in the body. The research evidence on this product indicates that it is far better absorbed and utilised than any other product on the market. Take one capsule daily as a food supplement.

The sea-buckthorn is a shrubby tree that belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family of plants. Not only is it a popular ornamental and landscaping shrub, but its fruit (berry) is also very nutritious and oily. The juice of berries is further processed to produce skin creams, lotions and liniments.

Sea-buckthorn berries make a rich dietary source of vitamins especially vitamins C and E. Moreover, they also contain amino acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytochemicals, β-sitosterol, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, phosphorus and molybdenum. A regular consumption of sea-buckthorn berries helps maintain the health of skin and reduces the symptoms of eczema, dermatitis and acne. A recent research has revealed that they help reduce CRP (C-reactive protein), a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes. Vitamin E in berries acts as an antioxidant and it helps destroy free radicals that produce tumour cells and cause premature aging. Sea-buckthorn berries also help maintain a healthy immune function and good digestive health.

Despite the health benefits that berries have to offer to their consumers, they are quite hard to be found on the market. However, a very successful brand known as Weleda Sea Buckthorn Juice 200ml has solved this problem. It is a revitalising natural juice made with organic sea buckthorn berries without added sugar or honey. It makes a rich natural source of vitamin C, together with provitamin A and vitamin E that help maintain the body’ natural defences and fight free radicals. Weleda Sea Buckthorn Juice helps maintain a healthy immune system and great cardiovascular health.

Macrominerals, also known as “Bulk Minerals”, are very important for maintaining a good health and overall well-being. Many of those play their role as electrolytes, while some help maintain the structural characteristics as well. Organic elements with a recommended daily allowance (RDA) greater than 200mg/day are classified as macrominerals and should be consumed on a daily basis to help your body perform metabolic, physiological, and psychological processes at a normal pace.

Among macrominerals, calcium is a common electrolyte which also exhibits structural characteristics. It makes an important constituent of the teeth and bones in the body and helps in the muscle contractions. It is required for the transmission of the signals in nerve cells and is important for the skeletal as well as digestive system health. Moreover, it aids in the normal functioning of membranes and helps clear toxins. Higher calcium intake slows down the osteoporosis process and protects against cardiovascular problems. The rich food sources of calcium include milk, spinach, canned salmon, and soy products such as tofu.

Sodium is a common electrolyte which is sufficiently supplied to your body through the consumption of cooked and processed foods because most of them make use of common salt or sodium chloride in their preparation. Excessive sodium consumption can lead to the depletion of magnesium and calcium, and diseases such as osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Chlorine as chloride ions acts as an electrolyte and is consumed along with sodium as common salt.

Magnesium is an important macronutrient which helps in the secretion of insulin. Not only it helps balance calcium in the body, but is also required for processing ATP. Other functions of magnesium include formation of fatty acids, activation of B vitamins, and formation of new cells. The important food sources of magnesium include seeds, whole grains, beans, dark green vegetables, fish and soybeans.

Potassium is a very common electrolyte which reacts with sodium to maintain a perfect osmotic environment around each cell. It helps in the transmission of nerve impulses and regulates levels of acidity in one’s body. It is also required for the protein and carbohydrate metabolism and is important for your heart health because it helps maintain normal heart rhythms. Some important food resources of potassium include banana, figs, apricot, pumpkin seeds, potato, green leafy vegetables, milk, fish, avocados and beans.

Other important macrominerals include sulphur and phosphorus. Sulphur is needed for the formation of amino acids and proteins. Phosphorus is essential for the energy processing and production of red blood cells. It is found in fish, meat, whole grains and beans.

In order to supply your body with the important macronutrients on a regular basis, make sure that you use a supplement such as Maximuscle Protrient Sports Multivitamins on a daily basis. One capsule will provide you with calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamins B-complex and C. It makes a high potency formula that reduces diet deficiencies and provides maximum support to your health and immune system. It is suitable for the men and women of all ages as well.