Minerals and Health

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The Importance of Minerals to Healthy Cellular and Organ Function

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Dr. Bernard Jensen and his generation of natural healing practitioners could not overemphasize the importance of minerals in the maintenance and health of the human body. Based on his practice of Iridology (Iris Analysis) (more to come on this incredible science of analysis under Articles on this website) one can determine the inherent weaknesses of any individual. Weak organs, weak systems, areas of the body where the tissue and function need strengthening. The theory of enhancement that Dr. Jensen proposes in all of his teachings is using the application of targeted plant nutrition to build up these weak organs and tissues. Each organ and functional tissue concentrates certain minerals and vitamins to facilitate structure and function, and those minerals must be maintained in adequate amounts in order for that tissue to be healthy. Below are the minerals and which tissues concentrate them. You will find a list of foods that are high in important minerals and vitamins and which foods (and their juices) you can emphasize in your diet and supplement program to optimize health. You will note that some foods contain a wide variety of minerals while others have a narrower nutritional range. It is recommended that you build your diet around higher concentrations of minerals that are critical for your individual health.​

SODIUM

Found and needed most in the digestive system. Gland, ligament and blood builder. Cellular structure.

POTASSIUM

Found and needed most in the digestive system. Builds tissue and Secretions. Cellular structure.

CALCIUM

Found and needed mostly in the structural system. Tooth and Bone.Cellular structure.

PHOSPHORUS

Found and needed most in the nervous system. Brain and bone builder.

SILICON

Found and needed most in the structural system. Nails, skin, teeth and hair.

MAGNESIUM

Found and needed mostly in the digestive system. Natural laxative. Nerves. Bones, muscles blood.

MANGANESE

Found and needed mostly in the nervous system. Tissue strengthener, memory.

CHLORINE

Found and needed mostly in the digestive system. Secretions.

SULFUR

Found and needed mostly in the nervous system. Brain and tissue.

FLUORINE

Found and needed mostly in the structural system. Tooth enamel. Bones.

IRON

Found and needed mostly in the structural system and blood. Red Corpuscles.

IODINE

Found and needed mostly in the nervous system. Glands and Brain. Thyroid gland.

Potassium

Cabbage, kelp, dulse, sunflower seeds, millet, beans, mushrooms, broccoli, winter squash, celery, cauliflower, watercress, potato (especially skins), dill, olives, bananas, goat milk, parsley, nuts, seeds, blueberries, peaches, prunes, coconut, figs, green beans, asparagus, raisins, dates, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, chlorophyll , avocado, yams, soy, garlic, spinach.

Sodium

Celery, carrots, goat milk, alfalfa, Cauliflower, sweet potato, brown rice, lettuce, peanuts, avocado, eggplant, okra, beets, cucumber, string beans, cheese, wheat, asparagus, turnips (and greens), strawberries, oatmeal, Lima beans, coconut, figs, spinach, Swiss chard, tomatoes, radishes, pumpkin, leeks, lettuce, eggs, peas, kelp, dill, whey, lentils, watercress, alfalfa, collard greens, cherries, endive, sesame seeds, parsley, artichoke, sunflower seeds, raisins, garlic, white beans, broccoli, mushrooms, onions.

Calcium

Goat milk and products, figs, dates, cabbage, vegetable tops/greens, nettles, watercress, dill, buckwheat, wheat, blackstrap molasses, sesame seeds, kelp, dulse, carrots, kale, all nuts, banana, sweet potato, blackberry, cauliflower, green pepper, winter squash, cantaloupe, eggs, apricots, raisins, prunes, cranberries, gooseberries, broccoli, spinach, parsnips, lettuce, onions, lentils, dandelion greens, Swiss chard, chives, poppy seeds, lemon, leaf lettuce, peas, chia seeds, green beans avocado, turnip greens, rice, millet, rye, barley, oats, yellow cornmeal, collard greens, beans, parsley, olives, beets, soy milk, cheese, celery, okra, Brussel sprouts, radishes, leeks, asparagus, strawberries, kohlrabi, oranges, corn, cucumbers, sorrel, coconut, seeds, all nuts, chlorophyll, brewers yeast, sunflower seeds, all beans, garlic, potato with skin, SUNSHINE ( to maximize calcium metabolism via the skin).

Iron

Kelp, chlorophyll, prunes, apricots, Lima beans, watermelon, brewers yeast, molasses, wheat, sunflower seeds, millet, all nuts, all berries, dates, peaches, beets, spinach, lettuce, tops of veggies, asparagus, leeks, tomatoes, brown rice and rice bran, radishes, Swiss chard, onions, cabbage, pumpkin, cucumber, sorrel, artichoke, raisins, chives, mushrooms, yellow dock root, watercress, nettles (and tea), all green leafy vegetables, black cherries, potato peeling broth, parsley, parsnips, lambs lettuce, onions, rice, rye, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, all beans, sesame seeds, eggs, lentils, soy, green beans, olives.

Magnesium

Dandelions, spinach, kelp, wheat, alfalfa, molasses, brewers yeast, buckwheat, all nuts, grapefruit, oranges, figs, barley, corn, wheat, beets, coconut, goats milk, eggs, seeds, raisins, prunes, oatmeal, raspberries, cherries, yellow corn meal, all whole grains, peas, soy, all beans, sunflower seeds, nettle (and tea), dulse, soy, chard, apricots, dates, collard greens, avocado, parsley,.

Chlorine

Goat milk, fish, cheese, coconut, kelp, beets, radishes, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, endive, spinach, alfalfa, figs, watercress, cucumbers, carrots, leeks, Roquefort cheese, blue cheese, Swiss cheese.

Phosphorus

Brewers yeast, pumpkin and squash seeds, sunflower seeds, all nuts, sesame seeds, seafoods, milk products, eggs, parsnips, wheat, cabbage, barley, yellow corn, all seeds, peas, all beans, lentils, vegetables tops, oatmeal, prunes, kelp, soy, rye, millet, dulse, brown rice, eggs, garlic, mushrooms, raisins, artichoke, brussels sprouts. (Note: the calcium/phosphorus ratio in the diet should be approximately 2/1).

Silicon

Especially present in skins and husks. Cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, all whole grains, asparagus, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, figs, strawberries, goat milk, green peppers, shave grass (and tea), sage, thyme, hops, prunes, eggs, pecans, all beans, asparagus, lettuce, seeds, peelings of all vegetables, watermelon rind, coconut, sprouts, alfalfa, soy, flaxseed, oatstraw tea , rice polishing, rice bran syrup.

Manganese

All nuts, barley, rye, buckwheat, spinach, peanuts, raisins, nasturtium leaves, eggs, mint, watercress, parsley, winter greens, endive, pignolia nuts, all beans, peas,lettuce, potatoes, kelp, dulse, oatmeal, whole grains, turnip greens, beets, brussels sprouts, cornmeal, millet, carrots, broccoli, rice.

Sulfur

Cabbage, cauliflower, onions, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, corn, cucumbers, horseradish, chestnuts, mustard greens, protein foods, shrimp, radish, spinach, leeks, garlic, apples, turnips, plums, prunes, apricots, peaches, eggs, melons, watercress.

Fluorine

(destroyed by heat so only present in raw foods) Cauliflower, cabbage, cheese, raw goat milk, eggs, brussels sprouts, spinach, tomatoes, watercress.

Iodine

Dulse, kelp, pineapple, all seafood, carrots, pears, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, mushrooms, rice, Irish moss, garlic, watercress, asparagus, cabbage, leeks, nettle tea, eggs, peanuts, wheat, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, raisins, garlic.

Copper

Millet, wheat, eggs, chicken, ginger root, molasses, turnips, green peas, papaya, apple, yellow dock root, watercress, all nuts, mushrooms, avocado, soy, buckwheat, sunflower seeds and oil, rye, barley, olive oil, carrots, coconut, garlic, cucumbers, parsley. Note: sufficient copper is necessary for the proper use of iron in the body.

Selenium

Whole grains, brewers yeast, red Swiss chard, sea food, turnips, molasses, garlic, oranges, eggs, mushrooms, chicken, radishes, grapes, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, green beans, kidney beans, onions, carrots, cabbage.

Chromium

Brewers yeast, wheat, greens beans, cabbage, mushrooms, strawberries, rye, chili, potatoes, bell peppers, eggs, chicken, apples, parsnips, corn meal, bananas, spinach, carrots, navy beans, lettuce, oranges, blueberries.

Zinc

Ginger root, eggs, all nuts, wheat, peas, rye, oats, Lima beans, soy, chicken, buckwheat, all seafood, turnips, parsley, potatoes, garlic, carrots, black beans, corn, grapes, olive oil, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, lentils, lettuce, cucumbers, yams, tangerine, string beans.

Vitamin A

Red chili peppers, dandelion greens, carrots, apricots, collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, parsley, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard, chives, butternut squash, watercress, mangoes, sweet red peppers, Hubbard squash, cantaloupe, butter, endive, broccoli, green onions, romaine lettuce, papaya, nectarines, prunes, pumpkin, peaches, acorn squash, eggs, chicken, cherries, butter lettuce, asparagus, ripe tomatoes, green chili peppers, green peas, green beans, elderberries, watermelon, rutabagas, brussels sprouts, okra, yellow corn meal, yellow squash.

Vitamin E

Wheat germ, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, almonds, sesame oil, peanuts and peanut oil, soybean oil, spinach, oatmeal, asparagus, salmon, brown rice, rye, pecans, carrots, peas, walnuts, bananas, eggs, bananas, eggs, tomatoes.

Vitamin D

Fish, sunflower seeds, eggs, mushrooms, natural cheeses.

Vitamin K

Turnip greens, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, watercress, asparagus, cheese, oats, green peas, whole wheat, green beans, eggs, peaches, raisins, tomatoes, potatoes.

Vitamin B Complex

Yeast (brewers and torula), whole grains, sunflower seeds, all nuts, legumes, fish, mushrooms, eggs, soy, molasses, buckwheat, sesame seeds, red chili peppers, cheeses, fresh chestnuts, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, potatoes, cabbage, avocado, asparagus, spinach, figs, green beans, fresh coconut, oranges, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, raisins, cantaloupe, peaches, onion, watermelon,strawberries, tomatoes.

Vitamin C

Acerola, red chili peppers, guavas, red sweet peppers, kale, parsley, collard greens, turnip greens, green peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, mustard greens, watercress, cauliflower, persimmons, red cabbage, strawberries, papaya, spinach, oranges, cabbage, lemons, grapefruit, elderberries, turnips, mangos, asparagus, cantaloupe, Swiss chard, green onions, okra, tangerines, lima beans, black-eyed peas, soy, green peas, radishes, raspberries, Chinese cabbage, yellow summer squash, loganberries, honeydew melon, tomatoes. Note: vitamin C is very easily destroyed by heat and air -- foods should be eaten as fresh and as raw as possible.

Bioflavonoids

Grapes, rose hips, prunes, oranges, lemons, cherries, black currant, plums, parsley, grapefruit, cabbage, apricots, peppers, papaya, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, blackberries.

VITAMIN AND MINERAL CONTENT OF HERBS:

Calcium

Alfalfa, arrowroot, chamomile, chives, yellow dock, cleavers, coltsfoot, dandelion root, flaxseed, horsetail, meadow sweet, nettle, okra pods, plantain, Shepard,s purse, kelp, agar, Irish moss, dulse, parsley, watercress, fennel, red raspberry leaves.

Chlorine

Kelp, parsley, watercress, dandelion, alfalfa

Iodine

Kelp, dulse, Iceland moss, Irish moss, sarsaparilla, agar

Iron

Kelp, parsley, dandelion, wild lettuce, fennel, alfalfa, watercress, yellow dock, burdock root, fo-ti-teng, garlic, meadow sweet, Irish moss, nettles, strawberry leaves, mullein leaves.

Silicon

Horsetail grass, oatstraw, dandelion, carob, alfalfa, kelp.

Sodium

Kelp, Irish moss, dulse, dandelion, watercress, garlic, cleavers, meadow sweet, fennel seeds, parsley, shepherd's purse, alfalfa.

Sulfur

Broom tops, garlic, eyebright, coltsfoot, fennel seeds, meadow sweet, mullein, okra, plantain, calamus, Irish moss, stinging nettle, watercress, nasturtium, sage, shave grass, Shepard's purse, silver weed, sweet flag, thyme, kelp, alfalfa.

Magnesium

Kelp, mullein leaves, carrot leaves, dandelion, alfalfa, fo-ti-teng, dulse, meadow sweet, okra, parsley, peppermint, walnut leaves, toad flax, broom tops, wintergreen, garlic.

Phosphorus

Chamomile, coltsfoot, comfrey, yarrow, mullein, alfalfa, broom tops, calamus, chickweed, meadow sweet, marigold, licorice root, shepherds purse, caraway seeds, okra pods, kelp, Irish moss, dandelion, rose hips, fennel, parsley, garlic, damiana, red raspberry leaves.

Potassium

Kelp, Irish moss, birch bark, calamus, parsley, dandelion, borage, fennel, coltsfoot, comfrey, eyebright, mullein, nettle leaves, peppermint, plantain, summer savory, yarrow, carrot leaves, oak bark, garlic, chamomile.

B-Complex

Alfalfa, blueberry leaves, burdock seed, kelp, fenugreek, parsley, watercress, capsicum, dandelion, okra, garlic, dulse, red raspberry leaves, valerian, catnip, saffron.

B-12

Alfalfa, kelp, dulse, comfrey, catnip.

Vitamin E

Dandelion, alfalfa, watercress, red raspberry, kelp.

Vitamin K

Alfalfa, shepherd's purse.

Vitamin A

Fenugreek, comfrey, fennel, capsicum, alfalfa, annota seed, dandelion, okra pods, parsley.

Vitamin C

Comfrey, fennel, rose hips, wild strawberry leaves, capsicum, coltsfoot, elderberries, marigold, oregano, parsley, watercress, blue violet flowers, catnip, nettles, spearmint, papaya, alfalfa, garlic leaves, wormwood, spruce, horseradish, knotgrass, nasturtium, red raspberry, acerola berries, lobelia. Note: vitamin C is water soluble and sensitive to air, light, and heat.

Source: "The Mineral and Vitamin Content of Herbs" by Myron Keene (1977), House of Quality Herbs , P.O. Box 14, Woodland Hills, Ca. 91365.