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The 17 Microminerals Explained

October 25, 2010 By 2 Comments
A basket of nuts next to a pile of fruit on a white background.

In my latest selection of articles I have been covering the microminerals individually.  Today I will be bringing all the information from these articles together and summarising the 17 microminerals, the ways they benefit your health, the richest food sources and the adverse effects of both deficiency and overdose. WHAT ARE MICROMINERALS? The microminerals are 17 minerals that your body requires in very small quantities (hence the term 'micro').  They are part of the micronutrient family (a group of nutrients which includes minerals and vitamins).  Micronutrients are different to … [Read more...]

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Lithium Explained

October 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A selection of cheeses.

WHAT IS LITHIUM? Lithium is a micromineral or trace element that promotes good mental health.  In this article I discuss the role of lithium in the body in greater detail. WHEN WAS LITHIUM DISCOVERED? The first records of lithium date back to 1800 when the Brazilian scientist Jozée Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva discovered the mineral petalite (which contains lithium) in Switzerland.  In 1817 Johan August Arfwedson started to study petalite and realised he could not identify 10% of the mineral.  He concluded that this 10% was a new element which he named lithium.  Arfwedson was … [Read more...]

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Germanium Explained

October 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Two button mushrooms on a white background.

WHAT IS GERMANIUM? Germanium is a micromineral (or trace element) that has received a great amount of publicity for its cancer fighting properties.  It comes in two forms; organic germanium (which has a variety of nutritional benefits and will be focussed upon in this article) and inorganic germanium (which has no nutritional benefits and is mainly used in the creation of computer chips).  In this article I will be discussing germanium and its benefits in greater detail. WHEN WAS GERMANIUM DISCOVERED? The existence of germanium was first predicted by the Russian chemist Dmitri … [Read more...]

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Tin Explained

October 5, 2010 By 2 Comments
A can of tinned tuna on a white background.

WHAT IS TIN? Tin is a micromineral (or trace element) that is thought to support healthy growth and prevent cancer.  In this article I will be discussing this nutrient in more detail. WHEN WAS TIN DISCOVERED? Awareness of tin alloys dates back to biblical times with a number of references to this element in the Old Testament.  Early alchemists (an ancient practice concerned with the transformation of other metals into gold) were also aware of tin and gave the element an alchemical symbol.  It is thought to have first been extracted and used at the beginning of the Bronze Age around … [Read more...]

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Vanadium Explained

September 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A selection of black and green olives on a white plate.

WHAT IS VANADIUM? Vanadium is a micromineral (or trace element) that has a number of roles in the body which include supporting proper metabolism and promoting the development of strong bones and teeth.  In this article I will be discussing the roles of vanadium in the body, the amount you need to consume, the best food sources and more. WHEN WAS VANADIUM DISCOVERED? Vanadium was discovered as the compound venadium pentoxide in 1801 by Spanish-Mexican metallurgist Andrés Manuel del Río.  He made the discovery whilst studying minerals at the School of Mines.  Manuel del Rio sent … [Read more...]

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Arsenic Explained

September 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A bowl of prawns.

WHAT IS ARSENIC? Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally as both an organic (coming from plants and animals) and inorganic (coming from the soil and water) compound.  It is most famous for being poisonous in large doses but recent research suggests that it is an essential micromineral (or trace element) in humans when taken in smaller amounts.  However, its exact role in the body is unclear.  In this article I will be discussing arsenic in greater detail. WHEN WAS ARSENIC DISCOVERED? Awareness of arsenic dates back to ancient times where the Chinese, Greeks, Egyptians and … [Read more...]

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Zinc Explained

September 19, 2010 By 2 Comments
Cubes of beef with two bell peppers.

WHAT IS ZINC? Zinc is a micromineral (or trace element) that is found mainly in high protein foods.  It has a number of important roles in the body supporting proper metabolism and a strong immune system.  In this article I will be providing you with a  full breakdown of this important nutrient. WHEN WAS ZINC DISCOVERED? Awareness of zinc ores dates back many years.  In Transylvania an alloy containing 87% zinc was found in prehistoric ruins.  Objects made of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) have also been discovered in Palestine and are thought to date back to around 1300 … [Read more...]

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Silicon Explained

September 15, 2010 By 4 Comments
Two whole onions and a chopped onion on a white background.

WHAT IS SILICON? Silicon is a micromineral (or trace element) that supports the development and maintenance of the connective tissues and skeletal system.  In this article I will be discussing silicon, its role in the body, the best food sources and much more. WHEN WAS SILICON DISCOVERED? Silicon was first recognised as an element in 1787 by the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier.  He identified silicon as part of the compound silicate but was unable to isolate it.  In 1800 Sir Humphry followed up on this work and mistakenly concluded that silicon was a compound.  However, in 1823 … [Read more...]

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Selenium Explained

September 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A selection of brazil nuts in front of a green leaf.

WHAT IS SELENIUM? Selenium is a micromineral (or trace element) that protects your body from damaging free radicals (a harmful by-product of oxygen related reactions in the body) and reduces inflammation in the body.  In this article I will be providing you with an in-depth look at this important nutrient. WHEN WAS SELENIUM DISCOVERED? Selenium was discovered by the two Swedish chemists Jons Jakob Berzelius and J. G. Gahn in 1818.  They were studying the chemicals within sulphuric acid and found a material that they thought was the rare element tellurium.  Berzellius studied this … [Read more...]

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Nickel Explained

August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Two and a half hazelnuts on a white background.

WHAT IS NICKEL? Nickel is a micromineral (or trace element) that assists in the absorption of iron and the production of red blood cells.  Today I am going to be discussing this nutrient in greater detail. WHEN WAS NICKEL DISCOVERED? When early miners first came across nickel they were confused as to what it actually was because it acted in a similar way to many existing metals.  For example, both copper and nickel were found in ores with a green tint.  However, both ores reacted in different ways to heat.  In 1751 Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt made the breakthrough … [Read more...]

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