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Vitamin Antioxidants with selenium have a high potency of minerals.
* * Vitamin antioxidants such as vitamin C E and selenium exist naturally on and in the earth and many are critical parts of human tissue and are called “essential” nutrients and have good potency with lots of minerals and antioxidants. There are 14 minerals that are essential to human health, and they are: calcium, chromium, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc; there are 92 naturally occurring elements, so in order to keep ourselves healthy we need to get some! Essential macrominerals are those we need in greater quantities, such as calcium, and essential trace minerals are those we need in minute quantities, such as selenium.
These 14 essential minerals are vital for bones, teeth, hair, blood, nerves, skin, vitamins, enzymes and hormones! We also need them for healthy functioning of our nerves, blood circulation, fluid regulation, cellular integrity, energy production and muscle contraction. We need balance, as minerals work in combination with each other and with other nutrients, so too much, or too little of any essential mineral can lead to deficiency diseases, and too much can be toxic. Good sources of essential minerals and vitamin antioxidants include fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, beans and dairy products all have potent antioxidants. Unfortunately, much of the soil in which food is grown has been depleted of these nutritive minerals, therefore the mineral content in our food is reduced, but there is no practical way to determine just what the food on our plate does contain. We get some minerals from the water we drink, but the amounts vary widely, as does the contamination level!
Information on Essential nutrient When we cook, processing and refining our foods we can destroy naturally occurring minerals, vitamin antioxidants; the least amount of storage, and cooking the better! Although there is always an exception to the rule; more calcium is available from broccoli when it is cooked than raw!
This powerful vitamin antioxidant works closely with vitamin E and supports critical antioxidant enzyme functions. As an antioxidant, selenium may reduce the risk of abnormal cell growth, and supports heart and blood vessels. Seafood and organ meats such as liver and kidney are high in selenium, whereas selenium levels in grains and vegetables vary widely, depending on local soil content. No more than 200 mcg of selenium daily is recommended for general use, because of possible toxicity. In milligram amounts (75 mg/day), selenium can cause nausea, loss of hair and nails, skin abnormalities and nerve damage. Selenium toxicity is characterized by dermatologic lesions, brittle hair, fragile or black fingernails, metallic taste, dizziness, and nausea. Chromium Chromium functions as part of several enzyme systems, including the glucose tolerance factor which works with insulin in the metabolism of glucose (blood sugar). Insulin helps to control metabolism of triglycerides (the main form of fat in the body), therefore chromium has a positive effect on triglycerides, of interest to diabetics. Chromium deficiency has been linked to improper metabolism and imbalances of blood sugar, in that while our food may be deficient in chromium, we can also cause a deficiency by having too much sugar!
The only common food source is brewer’s yeast. There have been reported cases of toxicity when used in high doses (>800 mcg/day). 
Zinc Zinc supports the health of the immune system, normal synthesis of protein, and the health of reproductive organs especially in men. Zinc deficiency is common, and can affect normal physical growth, skin and nerve health, natural healing ability, and immune function, especially in babies. Smoking and excessive alcohol also adversely affect zinc levels. Meats, fish, beans, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms and brewer’s yeast are good food sources of zinc.
Too much zinc can lower copper retention, lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and impair immune function at dosages of 100 mg/day or more.
More on Dietary minerals and vitamin antioxidants in Wikipedia Phosphorus Most phosphorus in the body is found in bone, and in soft tissue and cells phosphorus is needed for many natural chemical body processes, and provides the energy for metabolism. Food sources of phosphorus include protein-rich foods such as meats and dairy products, although some is present in almost all foods.
People taking aluminum hydroxide as an antacid for extended periods of time may develop a phosphorus deficiency since the aluminum prevents phosphorus absorption. 
Dietary minerals play important role in body processes Magnesium Magnesium is essential to maintain both the acid-alkaline balance in the body and healthy functioning of nerves and muscles including the heart, as well as to activate enzymes to metabolize blood sugars, proteins and carbohydrates. Magnesium is vital for proper bone growth and is indirectly related to adequate calcium absorption. Magnesium deficiency may be seen in muscle twitches, nervousness, abnormal heart beat and disorientation. Good food sources of magnesium include seeds, unrefined grains, beans and other vegetables.
Iron Iron carries oxygen to the cells and is necessary for energy, collagen, and the immune system. Iron deficiency is usually common only among children and pre-menopausal women. We don't need much, as excess amounts are stored in the body’s tissues and adversely affect the body’s immune function, cell growth and heart health. A blood test is the most effective way to determine needs, and consultation with a trained health professional is strongly recommended. Iron absorption can be blocked by calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, antacids and tetracycline (a common antibiotic). Iron is found in meat, fish, beans, spinach, molasses, kelp, brewer’s yeast, broccoli and seeds. Because iron from plant sources is not as well absorbed as that from animal sources, some experts recommend that vegetarians supplement with, or eat foods high in vitamin C as it enhances iron absorption.
Calcium It is said that Calcium is the most important, and most common, mineral we need. Eating a diet rich in nutrients that help your bones stay strong should be the first step in stopping or slowing the process of osteoporosis. Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, phosphorus, are the major nutrients that strengthen bone. 98 percent of your body's calcium is in our bones, the rest circulates in the blood, taking part in metabolic functions. When the diet lacks sufficient calcium and vitamin antioxidants to replace the amount that is excreted, the body begins to break down bone for the calcium necessary for metabolic processes. Calcium in the diet can generally slow calcium loss from bones, but it usually doesn't seem to replace the calcium already gone. A daily mineral supplement is not a substitute for a healthy diet, but it can ensure we get the minerals we need for good health. 
The National Institutes of Health recommend 1000-1200 milligrams of dietary calcium per day for pre menopausal women and 1200-1500 milligrams for menopausal and post menopausal women.
Good sources of calcium include milk and milk products, yogurt, ricotta, cheese, oysters, salmon, collard greens, spinach, ice cream, cottage cheese, kale, broccoli and oranges vitamin antioxidants as well.
Vitamin antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can decrease the risk of many types of cancer. Studies also found that cancer patients have lower levels of antioxidants in their blood. Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin antioxidants and evidence continues to support the role of vitamins C, E, and A, as well as lycopene and beta-carotene in helping to prevent cancer. Rather than isolated antioxidants found in supplements, it may be the combination of antioxidants found in foods that are responsible for decreasing the risk of cancer. The American Institute of Cancer Research warns that antioxidant supplements cannot substitute for whole foods.
With the wealth of information available on what we need as far as vitamin antioxidants in our diets on a daily basis in order to stay healthy; and the caution that high doses of some elements can be toxic; and imbalances can cause more problems, it can be tempting to put it all in the "too hard basket" and do nothing! Rather than that, we have found that natural whole food supplements are available that supply a broad range of essential nutrients that eliminate the need for an armload of vitamin and mineral bottles from the health shop!
How to grow your own vitamin antioxidants The Columbia Encyclopedia! Antioxidants at Answers More information at bounties-of-nature; Super Foods bounties-of-nature Home Page Go to top
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