Minerals

It has been proven that the brains of Alzheimer's patients have a deficit of magnesium and toxic levels of calcium. It has been theorized that, in healthy brains, magnesium helps to avert the deadly consequences of calcium deficiency. So much for theory, now the facts in practice. Have you ever asked yourself why you need to sleep? Why do you sleep six to eight hours per day, on average? Why, if you go without sleep for a long time, your brain seems to turn to slush? Why some people, like me, function on 3 to four hours of sleep and can easily cut down to one to two hours, daily? The short answer magnesium/calcium balance. You need adequate sleep so that your brain can have time to remove the day's accumulated calcium load. This is why some people ensure a good night's sleep by drinking a warm glass of milk before going to bed. The brain wants to go into deep sleep after that toxic shock. Magnesium mitigates the effects of calcium. Yes, calcium is needed for healthy bones, exactly as the dairy industry says. As usual, industry tells you only part truths.

Magnesium helps to maintain the metabolic vitality of neurons and helps to minimize brain damage resulting from lack of blood flow. Magnesium is also a powerful free radical scavenger and promotes blood circulation by deterring blood clotting and decreasing blood pressure.

Getting the correct balance of magnesium in your body is quite simple. If you take in too much, you'll get diarrhea.

Selenium may be the most effective mineral antioxidant. It is particularly effective in preventing oxidation of fat. Remember, 60% of the brain is fat.

Selenium levels in the blood reduce as we age, but slowly. Selenium boosts immunity and improves blood circulation. At high doses, it is more effective than Xanax for treating anxiety.

Zinc has powerful anti-aging properties. However, zinc deficiency is common in 33% of people older than 50. Most factory foods are devoid of any traces of zinc and you'd need 3000 calories per day to get adequate supplies from such food.

Zinc's role in brain metabolism is as part of an antioxidant chain reaction that destroys many of the free radical molecules in the brain. It also strengthens neuronal cell membranes, which protects neurons from damage. It helps the brain rid itself of lead from auto exhaust, boosts immunity, promotes sexual function, and potentiates the actions ovf vitamin A.

Tomorrow, I wish to cover the essential amino acids and I hope I can finish this section on Saturday with a page on who should take supplements in pill form.

Any questions??