|
|
| Learn More about Minerals |
| Key Features of These Important Nutrients |
|
Chromium
Chromium is a trace mineral found throughout the body that is closely related to glucose metabolism. This mineral works with insulin to help regulate blood sugar.
Eating too much refined carbohydrates may lead to chromium deficiency, because chromium is stripped away from products during the refining process. For example, up to 75% of natural chromium is removed when brown rice is turned into white rice. Chromium deficiencies may result in cloudy eye corneas, sugar in the urine, and other similar problems.
Natural food sources for chromium are brewer's yeast, whole grains, beef, chicken, fresh fruits, and such.
Cobalt
Cobalt promotes normal red blood cell formation, and with the production of Vitamin B12 in the body. Cobalt may also help with nerve function.
Cobalt deficiencies may result in anemia, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, as well as bowel and nerve problems.
Natural food sources for cobalt are liver, milk, spinach, green vegetables, eggs, kidney, and buck wheat, among others.
Copper
Copper is important in the function of red blood cells. Copper helps in the absorption, storage, and metabolism of iron, and is an antioxidant that protects cells from the harm caused by free radicals. Copper also aids in the production of melanin - the natural pigment of hair and skin.
Problems caused by copper deficiencies include anemia, poor absorption of food, hair loss, and bone disease.
You can find natural copper many places, including mushrooms, oats, wheat germ, salmon, lentils, and nuts.
Iodine
Iodine is related to thyroid function and is important for controlling carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Also, iodine keeps skin and hair healthy in your pets.
Deficiencies in iodine can cause fatigue, poor body growth, sparseness in the coat, and other problems.
Iodine can be found in salmon, kelp, cod, and herring. Common table salt often includes iodine to ensure humans get a proper dosage, though this source is not ideal for your pets as it would also boost their sodium levels.
Iron
Iron is important to ward off anemia and poor body growth. Iron is used in hemoglobin formation in red blood cells - without enough iron, the blood cannot transport enough oxygen for the cells. Note that red meat is a good source of iron because iron from this source is easily absorbed.
Iron deficiencies may result in fatigue, a weakened immune system, anemia, listlessness, and related problems.
Aside from red meats, natural food sources for iron include liver, egg yolks, wheat germ, whole grains, cheese, green leafy vegetables, fish, and so on.
Magnesium
Magnesium supports the bones. After calcium and phosphorus, magnesium is the next major mineral component of bones. Also, magnesium helps to activate Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B complex. Magnesium relaxes muscles and calms the nervous system.
Magnesium deficiencies can result in a lack of appetite, poor body growth, a lack of muscle coordination, and similar problems.
Natural food sources for magnesium are kelp, wheat bran, nuts, brewer's yeast, whole grains, shrimp, and fruits and vegetables.
Manganes
Manganese helps Vitamin C work correctly and is an important antioxidant that fights against excessive free radicals.
Manganese is important for bone and cartilage developments, leading to its use in supplements for pets with arthritis. Manganese is absent from refined carbohydrates.
Insufficient manganese can lead to poor body growth and joint and disk problems.
Natural food sources for manganese are whole grains, fiber, legumes, avocados, egg yolks, nuts and seeds, spinach, green vegetables, seaweed, peas, and some other foods.
Selenium
Selenium works hand in hand with Vitamin E to fight against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. This mineral is also helpful for the immune system and protects white blood cells (the cells that eat foreign substances like viruses and bacteria). Selenium is important for maintaining a healthy skin and coat.
Evidence supports the theory that taking an increased amount of selenium can help reduce the risk of cancer in humans, leading to the prescription of selenium for pets with cancer, too.
A deficiency of selenium may produce weight loss, poor skin and coat, tooth decay, and other problems.
You will find selenium naturally in wheat germ, nuts, fish, eggs, liver, chicken, garlic, brown rice, lobster, clams, as well as other sources.
Zinc
Zinc is important for normal growth and for normal immune system function. Zinc also helps burned skin heal faster. Zinc aids in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and is also used in the production of sex hormones.
Zinc deficiencies can cause poor body growth, decrease wound healing, reduce appetite, and other problems. Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, and Bull Terriers often suffer zinc deficiencies because of genetic defect inherent in these animals.
Just some of the natural food sources for Zinc are whole grains, egg yolks, wheat germs, garlic, fish, turkey, lamb, and oysters.
Calcium
99% of the body's calcium is found within the skeletal system. Calcium and phosphorus are usually considered together because the body utilizes them as a pair; the body absorbs calcium with phosphorus together, in balanced amounts. Good ratios for calcium to phosphorus are about 1.3 to 1.4 calcium to 1 phosphorus. Note that too much phosphorus in the diet can take calcium away from the bones.
Besides strengthening bones and teeth, calcium also helps the nerves relax. Taking adequate amounts of proteins is important for calcium to be absorbed properly in the body.
Calcium deficiencies may result in brittle bones, painful joints, weak teeth, and similar problems. However, eating calcium in excessive amounts has been linked to skeletal problems in large breed growing puppies.
Calcium is found naturally in milk, cheese, canned fish (where bones are present), dark green vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Phosphorus
About 80% of all the phosphorus in the body is found in the bones and teeth. Phosphorus promotes the healthy growth of these body parts. Phosphorus also aids in transporting fatty acids throughout the body, and is also needed for proper use of fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E, and K. This mineral helps maintain a proper pH level in blood, and is important for muscle contraction.
Phosphorus is usually considered in combination with calcium because their functions are so inter-dependent.
Phosphorus deficiencies can cause rickets, fragile bones, and so on.
Phosphorus is found in milk, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, whole grains, seeds, and nuts, as well as other food sources.
Potassium
Much like calcium and phosphorus, potassium and sodium work very closely together.
Potassium is important for keeping the heart healthy, and aids in muscle contraction. Potassium and sodium together keep blood pressure constant. Each cell of the body receives nutrients and removes wastes by using potassium and sodium together.
A deficiency of potassium can cause weakness, irregular heart beat, dehydration, and so on.
Natural food sources for potassium include bananas, potatoes, lima beans, cantaloupes, fish, and nuts.
Sodium
Sodium maintains the fluid balance in the body, and is important for keeping a healthy blood pressure. Sodium also keeps calcium evenly distributed throughout the blood. As stated earlier, sodium is very closely tied with potassium.
Sodium is plentiful in nature - pets usually do not need additional sodium, as they get quite enough through their diets.
Sodium deficiencies may result in muscle cramps, fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, and slow body growth.
Natural food sources for sodium include table, sea, and other mineral salts, milk, beets, celery, spinach, and even drinking water.
Chloride
Common table salt is a combination of sodium and chloride. The second part of this combination, chloride, regulates fluid balance in the body. Also, chloride aids in digestion within the stomach - it is an important part of the stomach's digestive acid. Chloride also improves potassium absorption.
Chloride deficiencies may result in poor growth, a lack of appetite, muscle cramps, and other problems.
Chloride can be found naturally in the same salts that provide sodium, seaweed, rye, tomatoes, celery, lettuce, and so on.
Click here to read about vitamins.
Return to "Health Issues" section.
 | |  |
|
Special Note: Although every effort has been made to present healthy products and useful information to support your pets' health, the products and information contained within this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The contents of this site are not meant as a substitute for consultation with a trained veterinarian. If you are concerned about the health of your pets, you should ask your veterinarian for proper guidance suited to the specific condition of your pets. The owners of this website accept no liability for any consequences resulting from the use of products and/or information provided through this site. Please use your discretion when attending to your pets' health. |
|
 | |  |
|
|
|
|
|
