Chemical substances |
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Sodium (Na) Significance: This mineral is found particularly in salt, smoked meats, cheese, bread, bakery, beetroot, carrot, and baking soda. Recommended daily allowance is up to 500 mg. Since many people add a lot of salt to their food and with a lot of food containing excess salt itself, the population does not suffer from sodium deficiency. Sodium deficiency is very rare, but when it occurs, people can experience hyper-perspiration, dehydration, thirst, flatulence, muscle and weight loss, exhaustion and headaches. The result of sodium overdose is a rise of blood pressure, people can experience dizziness and foot swellings – caused by water retention. High sodium concentration can be caused by a sudden dehydration of the organism - 280 grams of NaCl is a toxic dose for a human. Calcium (Ca) Significance: Calcium is a mineral present in the highest amount in a body. There is more than 1 kg of calcium in an adult organism. Up to 99% of that is found in
bones and teeth. Only a small amount of calcium in a body is found in a free ionised form Ca2+. These ions are important for regulation of various
physiological actions. Recommended daily allowance is up to 1200 mg for people younger than 25 and 800 mg for people older than 25. It is appropriate to
add calcium combined with optimum amount of magnesium. Magnesium (Mg) Significance: Based on its above-mentioned qualities, magnesium is one of the most important minerals. Its deficiency means health problems in many aspects.
Magnesium amounts to around 30g in an average 70 kg human body. Most of it is fixed among calcium in bones. Magnesium is found primarily in vegetal
food. Great source of magnesium is chlorophyll. |
Chlorine (Cl) Significance: The human body contains only about 105 mg of this mineral found particularly in blood, but also in other bodily fluids. Chlorine deficiency can cause tooth and hair loss and cramps. Its overdose can not be identified by any side effects. Its source comes mainly from table salt. Iron (Fe) Significance: Iron belongs to the microelements, which means that only a small amount of iron is required by an organism. Its importance has been overemphasized, which has led to excessive usage. Humans usually do not suffer from an iron shortage shortage, because we consume it in sufficient amounts. People with bleeding conditions, intestinal problems and high class athletes are affected the most by iron deficiency. Iron deficiency causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells, affecting physical performance, and causes frequent feelings of sickness. Iron is a mineral, over consumption of which is not disposed of by an organism; the organism just becomes clogged up. Symptoms of over consumption are often more serious than those of a deficiency. Vitamin E and C efficiency is adversely affected. In serious cases, the heart and liver can be harmed (cirrhosis of the liver), or it can lead to diabetes. It is not advised to consume iron in separate doses, but rather as part of a complex preparation with other minerals. Iron absorption is prevented by drinking beverages such as tee or coffee. Red meat, nuts, beans, green leaf vegetables and eggs are rich sources of this microelement. Iron is the predominant microelement in our body. The recommended daily dose is 6 to 30 mg.
Fluorine (F) Significance: Fluoride is part of the bones, teeth, thyroid gland, and brain. Drinking water contains fluoride in many countries; the concentration of fluoride ions is always less than 1 mg per litre. Excessive fluoride is considered to be toxic. Fluoride is deposited in the bones and causes their weakening and morphological changes. The acknowledged daily dose is 1.5 to 4 mg. Potassium (K) Potassium is rarely found in ordinary food (or then only in small amounts). It is mostly found in powdered milk. It can also be found in milk and
other dairy products, fish, meats, bananas, pulses, soy, and potatoes. It is added to energy bars and because of its effects on the muscles, it is also
in sports drinks. |