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Institute of Nutritional Science June 1993
Whiting, S
Trace Mineral Supplementation and
The Effect On Total Nutrient Serum Levels
STEVEN E WHITING, Ph.D.
Department of Research and Product Evaluation, The Institute of Nutritional
Science, San Diego, CA, USA 92103 April - September, 1993
ABSTRACT. The action of trace minerals as catalysts in
a plethora of biochemical bodily functions has long been known. Our goal
was to determine the effect of a rapidly absorbed trace mineral source
on the serum levels of the full spectrum of known nutrients. Our testing
program employed the use of 96 volunteers ranging in age from 23 to 81
years. Some of these individuals were of general good health while others
indicated physical problems which ranged from minor to major chronic disease
conditions. The only common criteria was that all participants had to
have been taking some form of vitamin / mineral supplementation on a regular
basis prior to beginning this study. Samples of nutrient serum levels
were taken at the outset as well as several times throughout the day,
each day of the program. We found that even though all participants
had been taking nutrients, the addition of trace mineral supplementation
provided a marked increase in nutrition retention and availability. This
was determined by observing a measurable increase in nutrient level in
the blood for a greater period of time. Overall, an 86% increase in nutrient
availability was demonstrated with the use of trace mineral supplementation
as opposed to when the same nutrients were given without the trace minerals.
The role of trace minerals in human biochemistry is well documented.
The trace minerals germanium, chromium, iron, iodine, selenium, zinc and
even lithium, have received much public attention through the works of
leading nutritionists and medical researchers The trace mineral spectrum
however, is much wider than these better known minerals. In fact it encompasses
over 50 individual minerals.
It is established that these trace minerals mentioned above act as catalysts
for a wide variety of biochemical activities necessary in the sustaining
of human life. Protein metabolism, glucose metabolism, oxygen uptake,
immune functions, sexual functions, growth and even metabolic rate are
all governed by the proper amounts of trace minerals
Nutrient dependency, the concept that vitamins and minerals do not work
in isolation but rather are dependent upon each other for their actions,
lead us to question if the presence of certain nutrients could enhance
the retention of some or all of the others. Since trace minerals provide
the foundation for countless biochemical functions and hence are the basis
of human nutrition, upon which all other nutrients are based, we elected
to determine the effects of adequate, broad spectrum trace mineral supplementation
on the serum levels of all nutrients.
For testing we used a liquid trace mineral formula derived exclusively
from colloidal sources. To this we supplemented a customized vitamin /
mineral formula best suited to the need of each individual participant.
No dietary restrictions were imposed, rather each participant was instructed
to continue with the same eating habits as they were accustomed.
The test program consisted of 96 participants. Age of participants ranged
from 23 to 81 years of age with the mean age being 42 A broad cross section
of individuals participated in this testing; some had no physical complaints
whatsoever, while others suffered from minor complaints.. Still others
indicated that they are or had been suffering from a variety of chronic
conditions
After a physical and dietary profile was taken on each participant they
were instructed to make no changes in their dietary intake and that they
were to stop taking any and all nutrient supplementation for three days
prior to the testing. Further, they were to make no changes in their physical
activities.
Each participant was given a customized vitamin mineral formula in tablet
form and instructed to take two tablets with each of three meals daily.
Blood samples were drawn and serum nutrient levels for 43 nutrients were
measured at varying times throughout the day to determine the serum nutrient
levels from the vitamin mineral source. These levels were measured for
ten consecutive days to establish a mean level for each of 7 specific
times during the 24 hour day.
With this pattern established for each participant, we added one ounce
of a liquid colloidal trace mineral supplement to the nutrient supplement
program of each participant. Again we measured the levels of serum nutrients
at the same times during the 24 hour day.
Every 10 days we added another ounce of the concentrated colloidal mineral
supplement and continued to measure the serum levels of the 43 individual
nutrients. This pattern was continued until we reached the level of 6
ounces of the trace mineral supplement.
The results of this controlled study clearly indicated that the
presence of broad spectrum trace minerals together with proper nutrient
supplementation provides a marked increase in the overall nutrient retention
of all nutrients tested..
The most dramatic increase in retention was observed in the B-complex
group and in Ascorbic Acid, water soluble nutrients that are typically
lost rather rapidly via the urine. As we increased the level of trace
mineral supplement, the time between ingestion and dissipation of these
water soluble nutrients increase proportionately. This was observed up
to the level of 4 ounces a day of the colloidal mineral base, after which
higher doses did not seem to make any marked difference.
While further testing is necessary, it would seem that trace
mineral supplementation not only provides the human biochemistry with
the catalysts of life but somehow assists the body in regulating the nutrient
levels of all essential vitamins and minerals.
Further we feel that by using specialized nutrient formulas for
each of the individual participants, we were able to increase the initial
availability of those nutrients specifically needed by that participant.
Physiological effects observed by a majority of the participants
included increased energy, lack of fatigue at typical hours during the
day, sharper cognitive response later in the day than typical, and in
some cases, an improvement or cessation of some or all of their physical
complaints.
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