Why Are the Chemicals and Nutrients in The Body Essential?

In this article, you’ll learn and discover why chemicals and nutrients are essential in the body.

You are what you eat. But do you recall munching some molybdenum or snacking on selenium? Some 60 chemical elements are found in the body, but what all of them are doing there is still unknown.

The rest of the human body is made mostly of hydrocarbons and proteins, which adds the elements carbon and nitrogen. Our bones add calcium to the mix. Those are some of the major chemicals in the human body. In all, however, in varying trace amounts, there are 60 chemical elements in the human body.

Almost 99% of the mass of the human body is made up of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. Only about 0.85% is composed of another five elements: potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium.

The function of the human body depends upon a lot of chemicals and nutrients that comes from diet. Here’s a look at what they and and the functions they perform in the human body.

Chemicals and Nutrients

Calcium

Function

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the human body. It helps to form and maintain healthy teeth and bones. A proper level of calcium in the body over a lifetime can help prevent osteoporosis.

Calcium helps your body with:

• Building strong bones and teeth
• Clotting blood
• Sending and receiving nerve signals
• Squeezing and relaxing muscles
• Releasing hormones and other chemicals
• Keeping a normal heartbeat

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of a person’s total body weight. It is the second most abundant mineral in the body. It is present in every cell of the body. Most of the phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth.

Function

The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth.

It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. Phosphorus also helps the body make ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy.

Phosphorus works with the B vitamins. It also helps with the following:

• Kidney function
• Muscle contractions
• Normal heartbeat
• Nerve signaling

Magnesium

Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aid in the production of energy and protein. There is ongoing research into the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. However, taking magnesium supplements is not currently recommended. Diets high in protein, calcium, or vitamin D will increase the need for magnesium.

Potassium

Potassium(0.25%) is an important electrolyte (meaning it carries a charge in solution). It helps regulate the heartbeat and is vital for electrical signaling in nerves.  Potassium is also responsible for the proper functioning of the blood vessels in the body. It helps in ensuring that the supply of blood and oxygen is adequate to all the vital organs of the body. Thus it is very potent and essential.

Silicon

Silica is responsible for cross-linking collagen strands which contribute to the strength, integrity, and flexibility of connective tissues such as those found in skin, bones, nails, and arteries. Silicon is also important for the growth of hair, skin, and fingernails.

Sodium

Sodium(0.15%) is another electrolyte that is vital for electrical signaling in nerves. It also regulates the amount of water in the body.  Sodium is also responsible for performing all the functions well in the body. It helps in the prevention of a lot of problems occurring in the body too. It enables you to get rid of the heat stroke, improves brain functions and helps prevent premature aging signs.

Iron

Iron (0.006%) is a key element in the metabolism of almost all living organisms. It is also found in hemoglobin, which is the oxygen carrier in red blood cells. Half of the women don’t get enough iron in their diet.

Fluorine

Fluorine(0.0037%) is found in teeth and bones. Outside of preventing tooth decay, it does not appear to have any importance to bodily health.

Zinc 

Zinc (0.0032%) is an essential trace element for all forms of life. Several proteins contain structures called “zinc fingers” help to regulate genes. Zinc deficiency has lead to dwarfism in developing countries.

Copper

Copper (0.0001%) is important as an electron donor in various biological reactions. Without enough copper, iron won’t work properly in the body.

Iodine

Iodine (0.000016%) is required for the making of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolic rate and other cellular functions.  Deficiency, which can lead to goiter and brain damage, is an important health problem throughout much of the world.

Selenium

Selenium (0.000019%) is essential for certain enzymes, including several anti-oxidants. Unlike animals, plants do not appear to require selenium for survival, but they do absorb it, so there are several cases of selenium poisoning from eating plants grown in selenium-rich soils.

The human body is a finely tuned mechanism.  It relies on chemical components to maintain a constant state of balance.  This state of being in balance is called homeostasis. If one or more of these chemicals fall out of balance from either an increase or a decrease in their levels, this may cause the systems of the body to work less efficiently. Chemical imbalances can occur for a number of reasons and may affect the body in a variety of ways.

If you want to get a better understanding of how your body is currently functioning,  you should have a blood test prescribed by a homeopathic doctor. Then will help the doctor see what parts are deficient and need a little tweaking.  Your doctor will begin to work with you to balance your levels to help you improve your overall health.