Organic vs. Inorganic Minerals in Vitamins and Supplements

Many people get confused or worried when they see things like copper, arsenic or lithium in their vitamin supplements. Haven't we always been told by our mothers never to eat metal? Well, the difference with the elements shown in your supplement is that these are ORGANIC (living) minerals versus INORGANIC forms of minerals such as metals.

When a mineral is inorganic, it means that it is without any carbon-based molecules. Plants, through the process of photosynthesis, take these inorganic minerals from the soil and turn them into organic minerals that our bodies need to function. Organic minerals are the only minerals which can be truly used by the body and are not toxic. Because of their properties (they contain carbon) they are absorbed easily into our systems and they can also help detoxify the body from inorganic forms of minerals.

Minerals, which our bodies cannot product on its own, are necessary for our bodies to function. They are crucial to the growth and production of bones, teeth, blood, nerves, skin, enzymes and hormones; and the healthy functioning of nerve transmission, blood circulation, fluid regulation, cellular integrity, energy production and muscle contraction.

Many minerals are needed in larger quantities such as Calcium (bone health), Potassium & Magnesium (electrolyte balance and muscle function) and Iron (energy production). But other minerals are called "trace" minerals and are needed in much smaller amounts - usually measured in micrograms (mcg). These trace minerals also play a vital role in our health.

Unfortunately, much of the soil has been depleted of these essential minerals due to over-farming in the last 100 years and the mineral content in food we eat is reduced. Also, organic minerals can not be stored in the body longer than 6 to 8 hours so it is essential that we are getting our daily doses of these trace minerals. Since many of us are not getting our daily doses of minerals, due to lack of minerals in our foods or just lack of a varied diet, a good option is to find a supplement that contains a good variety of the minerals.