Minerals D'Amour

Without minerals, even $εX is no fun!

Valentine’s day has just come and gone. Around this time, it sometimes seems as though the whole World only has ‘one thing’ on its mind! So let’s look at the role of minerals in creating, sustaining and expressing PASSION! The loving kind for now. Remember though, that although alleviating a mineral deficiency may contribute significantly towards addressing many problems - minerals are BY NO MEANS the only factor influencing passion and sex!

LIBIDO

It all begins with an idea. A longing that instils itself in your head and demands satisfaction. Many relationships suffer from the simple principle:

No longing = no satisfaction

(his AND hers!)

A reduced libido is believed to occur more often in women, but is by no means absent in men. Research shows that a deficiency of the following minerals could play a role:
· Boron – could influence levels of libido in women
· Zinc – Even a marginal deficiency could affect libido in both Tarzan and Jane. Possibly due to its importance in the production of testosterone (which, contrary to popular belief) is as important in women as it is in men, even though there is usually more of it in men. Lost with every ejaculation.

IMPOTENCE and SEXUAL RESPONSE (Frigidity, Orgasm)

Impotence and frigidity do not have to be permanent conditions. If your relationship is suffering in this regard – SEEK HELP!

Some minerals which may help Tarzan to ‘stay up’ and keep swinging, include Molybdenum (cereals meat, legumes, cauliflower, etc), Phosphorous (NUTS) and Zinc (Oysters, liver, nuts, egg yolk, etc).

Jane might also find her ice melting with a little help from Zinc.

Testosterone is a key factor in the sexual experience for both men and women. Formation requires Boron (tomatoes, pears, honey etc), Magnesium (cereals, nuts, seafood, chocolate), Potassium (Fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish), Selenium (seeds and nuts, seafood, shiitake mushrooms) and – you’ve guessed it – ZINC! Making sure you don’t have a shortage of these minerals will certainly ensure BIGGER and BETTER!

And HOTTER and ….. This is definitely where that juicy steak comes in as proteins also play a vital role in ensuring an ‘uninhibited’ supply. Hmmm!

But wait, there’s more! Nitrogen (a gas) is absolutely essential for both men and women in the form of Nitric Oxide (NO). Isn’t it WONDERFUL that potentially romantic things like red wine and cacao help in making NO - Yes? Garlic does too – use that piece of information any way you wish

ENJOYING the Experience

In this case, the ‘bottom’ line is really to enjoy the ‘RIDE’! Many factors including nutrition, ambience, trust, companionship and many more, can and do help.

The Inter-Med VYROX Passion Drink may help too. Packed in sachets containing a raspberry flavoured drink, it has been designed to enhance the experience for both Tarzan AND Jane! Get comfortable, set the scene, dissolve a sachet of VYROX in a glass of wine for yourself and your partner, relax and ENJOY!

 Each sachet of VYROX contains a formulation of Tongat Ali, Panax Ginseng, Catuaba Bark, Muira Puama, Tribulus Terrestris, Epimedium Powder, Maca, Ginko Biloba Leaf, Urtica Duoica, Saw palmetto, Vitafenol, and Hawthorn. Other Vitamins and Nutrients included in Vyrox are: Folic Acid, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Zinc.

Mighty MINERALS!

Stinky feet? Could be a shortage of Magnesium.
Short sighted? You may have a deficiency of Selenium.
Suffering from tooth decay or impotence? How much Molybdenum are you getting?

Supplementing essential Vitamins and Minerals is NOT a waste of money. On the contrary, it is just that: ESSENTIAL!

In earlier times, when hunter-gatherers survived by how good they were at finding and exploiting sources of food, the diet - when there was any - was probably varied and nutritionally rich enough to supply all the body's needs, if it could be found in sufficiently large quantities.

Magnesium 

So what has changed?
The word 'essential' in nutritional terms, means that the body cannot manufacture the nutrient itself from other sources, but has to obtain it from the diet. Some examples of essential nutrients include vitamins, minerals, 9 of the amino acids (building blocks of proteins), and certain fatty acids (e.g. Omega-3, 6 and 9). 

Organic substances – the molecules which make up our bodies, contain mostly Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are all organic substances which are used as building blocks. In addition to the 4 main elements, these building blocks contain minerals in varying quantities.

The term 'minerals' as it is used in nutrition is not a scientifically correct term. What we mean is a biologically usable form of various chemical ELEMENTS. For example, all biological organisms require seven major 'minerals' (or elements) for life, namely calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium.

‘Minerals’ are obtained from the mineral matter – the rocks, sand, silt and clay – and the organic matter (such as compost or manure) which make up the soil in which plants grow.

If it is not in the soil, it is NOT in the plant! 

Plants CANNOT manufacture minerals themselves.

To look green and healthy, plants need sufficient quantities of Nitrogen (nitrates), Phosphorous (phosphates), Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Sulphur. As fertilizers are expensive, these are the minerals which are most commonly used to fertilize crops.

Other elements which plants require in minute, or ‘trace’ quantities include Iron, Manganese, Boron, Zinc and Copper. These may be contained in organic fertilizers such as manure and very occasionally also in chemical (inorganic) fertilizers.

By the way – these chemical or inorganic fertilizers are a by-product of the mining and other large, chemical industries. The first South African fertilizers were produced in 1903 using animal bones, closely followed by fertilizers produced from sulphuric acid waste created when making explosives for the mining industry.

Animals and humans need several other trace elements (minerals) to remain healthy. According to current research these include Iodine, Chromium, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Silicon and Selenium amongst several others.

Ultimately, our ONLY natural source is from plants. After all, even meat can only contain those minerals which the animal was fed! 

Even when minerals are present in the soil many factors may cause them to be ‘blocked’ from being used by plants. For example the acidity of the soil, the amount of water in the soil, other minerals present, absence of the correct microbes (bacteria and other organisms) in the soil and so on – can all lead to minerals not being absorbed. In addition, crops today are grown in vast monocultures – planted in the same fields year after year with little or no rest or change in between.


The amounts of minerals actually contained in raw food is therefore often so low as to be negligible.

Add to this equation not only WHAT we eat, but also the processes we typically apply when we prepare our food: soaking, boiling, canning, preserving, etc. By the time we eat it, there are virtually NO minerals left!

Why MUST we supplement? Because minerals are needed to keep our cells, organs and systems working.

SO, before you emulate those critics who ‘pooh-pooh’ the idea of supplementing essential vitamins and minerals, do your research, check your diet and consider your health!

Check our products page for a range of TOP QUALITY, innovative 

multi-vitamin and mineral supplements!

MIND Diet

The MIND Diet has hit the news again, as the #2 most healthy diet selected by a panel of experts. That is quite an achievement for a relatively new diet, and worth looking at in more detail.

So what is the MIND Diet? 'MIND' stands for 'Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay'. It sounds a bit forced but the idea is clear - to try and stop the onset and/or progression of such diseases as Alzheimer's and Dementia through diet. Both the Mediterranean Diet (which is believed to aid in weight loss as well as the control of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc) and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets appeared to have brain health benefits as well.

The design of this diet was the result of a study commissioned by the National Institute on Ageing (USA) to investigate the possible benefits of diet for neurodegenerative conditions. The overall results were positive, leading the researchers to design the MIND Diet (Reference: https://www.rush.edu/news/diet-may-help-prevent-alzheimers).,

The MIND Diet is effectively a combination of the Mediterranean and the DASH diets. It divides foods into 15 food groups, 10 healthy and 5 unhealthy (to be avoided). To quote the researchers: "Dieters must limit eating the designated unhealthy foods ...to have a real shot at avoiding the devastating effects of Alzheimer's"

One of the most positive points to emerge from the research is that every little bit helps. If it is not possible or practical to adhere to the diet strictly at all times, even moderate compliance bears measurable benefits.

The researchers are the first to admit that a lot of further research is required (possibly including several changes to the diet as we learn more) before any real claims can be made about the MIND Diet. Nevertheless, we sincerely hope that the MIND Diet fires up people's hope, grabs their imaginations and obtains a huge following. For, even though we have a lot more to learn, if truth be told, the knowledge that our diet has a direct correlation with our brain function is not new. (See http://www.foodforthebrain.org/nutrition-solutions/dementia-and-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease/about-dementiaalzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease.aspx amongst many others). Sadly, for many years this was not acknowledged by main-stream health care providers (and in many instances still is not to this day) causing untold, unnecessary suffering.

Let us start with the 'bad' news.
The 5 unhealthy food groups identified in the MIND diet are:

·         Fried or fast food: Less than one serving a week

·         Cheese: Less than one serving a week

·         Butter and margarine: Less than a tablespoon daily

·         Red meat: Less than four servings a week

·         Pastries and sweets: Less than five servings a week

       

The healthy food groups are:

·         Green leafy vegetables (Spinach, kale, cabbage, salad leaves, etc): At least six servings a week

·         Other vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower, etc): At least one a day

·         Nuts: As a snack 4 - 5 times a week

·         Berries: At least two servings a week

·         Beans: At least three servings a week

·         Whole grains: Three or more servings a day

·         Fish: At least once a week

·         Poultry (like chicken or turkey): At least twice a week

·         Olive oil

·         Wine: One glass a day

In the meantime, allow us to point out a few factors we (in South Africa) should bear in mind:

• Fish is the main source of Omega-3 (EHA/DPA) which most of the fish available in our supermarkets, does NOT contain. The exceptions include fresh tuna, sardines (NOT those in vegetable oil!), mackerel, salmon or other cold water, oily fish. Watch this space for further discussions on this topic!  
• The researchers specify blueberries which are super-scarce and expensive to come by in SA, for their brain-protecting properties. Strawberries are also mentioned. Clearly we need to supplement our anthocyanins from other sources.   
• Nuts (also expensive) contain many valuable fats and minerals which may be damaged or destroyed in our favourite, roasted versions.
• There are many other dietary factors required for good mental health. Some general tips:
• Use your common sense. Maintain a good balance and eat healthy to stay healthy.
• Eat a generous 'rainbow' of fruit in addition to the vegetables and the berries
• Sauces, condiments, convenience foods and processed foods contain many hidden chemicals and ingredients which are not beneficial and should be avoided.
• If you can't go organic, choose local, fresh and in season for the highest nutritional value
• Remember to drink a lot of good quality, fresh water every day
• Use a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement such as the Inter-Med Absolut or I-Strength products and an Omega-3 (fish oil) supplement daily to ensure that the basics are covered.    
• Other factors that are critical to maintain good mental health include:
• Activity (hobbies, friendships, pets, crafts, 'brain training', etc)
• Exercise
• Daily doses of sunshine for vitamin D (go for a walk with a friend and get all three in one!)
• and many more

There are many reasons why it is not always possible or feasible to obtain all the nutrients we require, from our diet.

Staywell Brain Health was specifically designed to assist in providing your brain with 

ALL the nutrients it requires to function at its best.

If you are struggling to fulfil your daily nutrient quota's and are beginning to feel stressed and run down, feel free to contact us on 012 804 7918 for more information on Staywell Brain Health and other products