Mineral Toxicity

Minerals are micronutrients that we get from food and are required for many bodily functions. There are broadly two types of minerals – Macro & Micro Minerals –

Macro Minerals – are seen in larger amounts in our body and hence need to be given in larger quantities through the diet. Eg – Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorous, Sulphur, Magnesium etc
Micro Minerals – on the other hand, are required only in slight quantities. Eg – chromium, iron, cobalt, fluorine, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc etc. Micro Minerals are also known as trace minerals

All these minerals help us in maintaining the blood pressure, healthy bones, proper fluid & electrolyte balance, making new cells, transporting oxygen across the body and also for the proper functioning of muscle & nerves

While all these minerals are required in its ideal quantities, an excessive amount if provided through diet or supplementation, can be toxic for the body. Mineral toxicity is more common because of excessive supplementation (vitamin+minerals tablets) than through eating whole food.

Depending upon the kind of minerals toxicity, the side effects can range from nausea, blood pressure variation, fluid retention/edema. Some times it can lead to more severe problems such as heart attack, liver/kidney failure etc.

Micro Minerals (Trace minerals) are often added in many weight loss shakes, as they suppress hunger. This is one of the reasons why, such weight loss shakes and medicines cause liver or kidney damages.

Published : [email protected] - 02/19/2020