Trace Minerals are the River of Life

What are Trace Minerals?

Does chronic inflammation, anemia, fatigue, or muscle cramps often debilitate you? If so, a trace mineral deficiency might be the problem. Trace minerals, also called micro minerals, are necessary minerals that encompass less than 0.01% of total body weight. Trace mineral deficiency is an increasing nutritional concern in the United States. A 2020 study published by Zeynep Vural examined 9,000 older adults. The research study found largely insufficient proportions of zinc, selenium, and copper in the adult population. This deficiency is likely the cause of various health issues including anemia, fatigue, muscle cramps, chronic inflammation, hormone imbalance, and irregular heartbeat.

Below are four facts about the importance of trace minerals: 

1. The body cannot produce trace minerals—food and water must supply these.

2. To the degree trace minerals are present in the soil, food will include them. Even if you eat organic food, soil is not as well-nourished and rich as it used to be, which causes a decrease in trace minerals. The world has seen a dramatic decrease in nutritional food value over the last 50 years. This is mostly due to weak soil fertility from overproduction.

3. Dr. Forrest Nelson of the USDA explained that the more prevalent minerals are in seawater, the more essential minerals become for human health. Life has always been closely linked to the seas. As water flows downhill, vital nutrients are carried along. Although the most soil is increasingly depleted, ocean-grown plants like Nori or wakame seaweed are an excellent source of trace minerals.

4. Trace minerals serve many functions. Some act as antioxidants, such as copper, selenium, manganese, and zinc to protect the body from long-term damage. These minerals also support the blood system and are necessary for the healthy growth of certain hormones. Trace minerals also ensure the proper development of neurological functions and enzymes throughout the body.

What Trace Elements are Essential? (From the USFDA)

• Iron: Beneficial for red blood cell formation and muscle growth. Red meat, poultry, fish and seafood, and dark, leafy veggies are all good sources of iron.
• Chromium: Helps control glucose levels and metabolic functions. A well-balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry, and grains will ensure necessary chromium levels.
• Copper: Your body’s enzymes need cooper to control energy production, metabolism, and hemoglobin. Organ meats, shellfish, whole-grain cereals, nuts, and seeds are prominent sources of cooper.
• Iodine: An important part of thyroid hormones, iodine can help with weight control, mental development, and brain growth. It’s most often found in eggs, poultry, grains, and dairy products.
• Manganese: Helps with carbohydrate, protein and cholesterol metabolism, cartilage and bone formation, wound healing.
• Molybdenum: Is an essential part of enzyme production.
• Phosphorus: Acid-base balance, bone formation, energy production and storage, hormone activation.
• Selenium: An essential antioxidant that aids with, immune function, reproduction, thyroid function.

What are Trace Elements Not Yet Recognized by the FDA?

• Boron: Important for healthy bone health, brain function, and immune response.
• Lithium: Considered a calming mineral and important for mental health.

Where Can You Get Trace Minerals?

Food is one of the easiest sources for trace elements. However, because the soil in the United States is potentially depleted, you may consider mineral supplementation. I suggest you supplement with a liquid trace mineral formula. You might also consider a separate iodine supplement. Iodine protects your thyroid and can assist in detoxing radiation and electromagnetic fields (EMF).

Introducing: Luke Loggins

One of my teachers about trace minerals, and its connection to the soil and the quality of our food, is my son, Luke Loggins. Luke has been studying food systems and environmental science for years; he studied culinary arts and nutrition at SBCC, graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Sustainable Agriculture, and recently received his M.A. in Ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Luke has worked as a garden teacher in public elementary schools in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and with numerous organizations helping to introduce young children and teens to the grounding experience of feeling the earth beneath their feet. As Luke would explain, communing with the more-than-human world of soil and compost piles is a process that is not only beneficial to our local environment and ecosystems, but to your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. His knowledge of microbiology and soil science lends itself perfectly to helping clients support their gut microbiome through colon cleansing.

Luke Loggins—M.A. in Ecopsychology

During his graduate studies, Luke took several courses in Reiki and Medical Qigong, which also inform his work in Julia Loggins' clinic as a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist. He believes that sustained healing comes from the transformation of old neural pathways and creating new ones within your energetic and nervous systems. Once you become aware of how you hold trauma and energy within your body, you can naturally be able to release it.

“Nature feeds us, and it also feeds on us. We are no more human than we are fungi and bacteria, trillions of which call our colon home. The gut—our inner soil—is the ground of our relationship with the more-than-human world. I encourage folks to support the microbiome with an ecologically minded approach that involves tending a garden or compost pile at home with friends, and regular colon cleansing.” —Luke

Find more writings on various eco-bio-psycho-social topics on Luke’s Substack: substack.com/@lukeloggins. Luke’s offerings are on his website, lukeloggins.com which will be live next week. Reach Luke on Instagram @lukeloggins.bodymind.

It Takes Guts to be Beautiful!

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new book, It Takes Guts to be Beautiful! The online strategies and solutions that will renew your mind and body, the Mastering Menopause Makeover. You will find both on cleansingforenergy.com.

If you are ready to create a whole new you, join me to learn new strategies.

Feeling isolated and alone? Participate in my TikTok live sessions at 5 p.m. PST on Sundays. Join the Happy Gut Tribe for live question-and-answer support and a healing community. See you there!

To your health,
Julia Loggins,
Author & Digestive Health Consultant,
Santa Barbara, California