Minerals supplements are usually considered by nutritionists and the medical community as “non-essential”, since minerals have no significant effects on health. However, in recent years, a growing body of evidence indicates that these supplements may have some therapeutic benefits. These supplements can be used by people from all walks of life who want to improve their health. They are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
The most commonly sold mineral contents in dietary supplements are calcium and magnesium. These minerals are often included in nutritional health plans, because they are known to help maintain a healthy bone mass and to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. They are also said to prevent cancer, as well as to slow the aging process. In addition to these claims, however, there is increasing evidence that these dietary supplements may have some other health benefits.
One of the first health claims associated with the use of minerals was the prevention of osteoporosis. Research studies had shown that the addition of calcium and magnesium to the diet reduced the risk of developing osteoporosis by almost 50%. Other research had indicated that the addition of these two minerals made women more resistant to osteoporosis-related fractures. This benefit could therefore help target groups of people who are at high risk for fracture. Some research suggested that the risk of mortality was reduced by almost 11% in women who took calcium and magnesium supplements.
While the findings of the research studies examining the effects of the two minerals on the osteoporotic risk factor were encouraging, researchers did not conclude that the supplements were beneficial for osteoporosis prevention. They noted that the study did not take into consideration several important variables. First, the study did not focus on the effects of calcium and magnesium on non-osteoporotic fractures. Second, the subjects were from a large, elite group of individuals who were already at higher risk of fracture when they entered the study. Because osteoporosis is usually caused by low activity or poor nutrition, the ability of these minerals to reduce the risk may not be as effective for people from this group.
The next study, which was published in the June 8 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine, compared the levels of calcium and magnesium in four different types of dietary supplements: enriched grain cereals, enriched breads, egg whites, and nuts. The analysis found that the mean standard deviation of the magnesium and calcium contents in the four types of dietary supplements was similar. The difference in mean standard deviation was not significant. In previous studies, magnesium and calcium had been found to have similar effects on osteoporosis incidence. However, these previous studies did not analyze the mineral contents of the individual ingredients of dietary supplements.
The analysis found that there were only minor differences in the mean mineral intakes of the four groups. The mean magnesium content was greater in egg whites than in nuts, and the mean calcium content was greater in enriched wheat breads than in the enriched cereals. It is important to remember that when comparing one nutrient with another, such as with vitamins, minerals, and supplements, it is important to consider the amount of each ingredient used in the typical supplement. Some commonly sold supplements contain several similar ingredients. For example, the mineral zinc is often included along with other common nutrients such as protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamins.
Because nutritional supplementation is a highly debated topic, many companies tend to avoid making any type of claims regarding the strength of their minerals and vitamins in their products. This can lead to confusion about the safety and effectiveness of various supplements. For this reason, it is extremely important to read the nutrient label of supplements that you purchase. The label claims should provide accurate information about the percentage and amounts of the above-listed minerals. If there are multiple sources for the same minerals, the percentage values should be listed in order of their percentage in the total.
Calcium, magnesium, and zinc should form the basis of all mineral supplements. Additionally, you should choose a multivitamin formula that contains the vitamins A, C, D, E, and K in addition to the minerals. The main nutrients to look for in vitamin and mineral supplements are those which are necessary to maintain healthy bones and muscles. Keep in mind that a multivitamin formula should contain enough vitamins and minerals to meet the needs of children, women, and men of all ages, and should be taken regularly.
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