When reading an article today on health and wellness for women, it emphasised the need for trace minerals in our diets.

Minerals are extremely important in women (and men as well, but we’re focusing on women) during specific times of life.  We know that calcium is needed to build strong bones, iodine helps the thyroid, iron is in the blood, etc. If not eaten properly, then a deficiency can occur and health problems begin to show up.  Mineral deficiency can mask as several different other conditions. Below is brief information with some foods on how to get these items in your diet.

Calcium is found fortified in several foods, as well as, in dairy products. However, the best way to get calcium is through natural foods including broccoli and kale.  Calcium from dairy sources does not come with the required magnesium needed for absorption and is high in phosphorous, which can actually have a reverse effect on bone building. 1,000 mg of calcium are needed daily (with more needed for medical purposes) and is best in calcium citrate, malate, chelate, and orotate forms which are more easily absorbed by the body.

During menstruation, women lose red blood cells and specifically, the mineral iron that carries oxygen in the body.  Depletes in iron and in the iron stores can cause fatigue and unnecessary wait gain as well as a variety of other issues associated with Iron Deficiency Anemia. Heme (blood) iron can be found in animal products, while, Non-Heme iron is found in plant foods such as lentils, beans, black-strap molasses, dried apricots, and raisins

Magnesium is vital in several ways. Deficiencies in magnesium have been shown to cause headaches, irritability, muscles spasms or twitches, insomnia, and irregular heartbeats. Magnesium is also needed with calcium because without it, calcium can not get into the body.Magnesium foods include: Leafy green vegetables, seaweed or green algae, avocados, nuts, beans, raw chocolate, and grains such as brown rice and millet.

Iodine is needed for thyroid function, as well as, several other functions such as liver function, nerve and muscle function and nutrient metabolism.  Your multi-vitamin should have iodine in it. Iodine foods include: Seafood, seaweeds such as kelp, clams, lobsters, oysters, and sardines.

Several other trace minerals are necessary and important to life. Read the article below for a few more.

HealthSource vitamins provide these in a daily multi-vitamin to ensure daily health and wellness.

Information for this article was taken from Dynamic Chiroprctic Newspaper and can be found at: http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=55618

Dr. Mitchell Vance, DC and Dr. Jennie Hersey, DC are Chiropractors at HealthSource of Portland in Portland, ME.  For more information contact them at 207-780-1070, write us on facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthSourceofPortland or fill out the contact form at www.healthsourceofportland.com.

The death toll in America due to Prescription Medication has outnumbered traffic fatalities in America according to a Los Angelas Times article:

In 2009, traffic fatalities in America totaled 36,284 in 2009.

In 2009, Prescription Drug associated deaths totaled 37,485 people.

According to the authors of the Times article, between 2000 and 2008:

• “(Prescription) drug fatalities more than doubled among teens and young adults”
• “Deaths more than tripled among people aged 50 to 69″
• “(T)he death toll is highest among people in their 40s.”

The most common drugs associated with these deaths are pain medications and anit-anxiety drugs.  Conditions that can be treated through Chiropractic with the most common being Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, and headaches.  If you are someone you know is in the Portland, ME area, it is time to look for alternative ways to heal, through natural healing in chiropractic.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/17/local/la-me-drugs-epidemic-20110918

In 2008, 5% of Americans over the age of 12 claimed to have abused pain medications.

In Maine, 386 out of 100,000 over the age of 12 were treated for abuse.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/our-view/2011/11/09/brutal-cost-prescription-drug-problem/1112809

This all means we need an answer!  We need a solution.  Chiropractic is the answer and the solution.  Only 10% of Maine actively goes to a Chiropractic Doctor.  To decrease pain medication abuse, we need this number to rise to 50 or 70%!

For more information about this or to schedule a Free Consultation please contact HealthSource of Portland West Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab at 207-780-1070 or by filling out the contact information of this website.

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