Ionic Minerals and Cancer
IonicTrace
Minerals -
A Simple Solution for a Complex Body
What
is an ion?
An
ion is any atom or group of atoms that holds one or more
positive or negative electrical charges. Positively charged
ions are known as cations while negatively charged ions
are called anions. Ions are formed by the addition of electrons
to, or the removal of electrons from, neutral atoms or molecules
or other ions. Additionally, the splitting of the bond between
two atoms such that a portion of the electrons shared by
the previously joined atoms are split between the two now
individual atoms. Examples of this include the reaction
between a sodium atom and a chlorine atom to form sodium
chloride (NaCl), now comprised of a sodium cation and a
chloride anion. Some important cations for human health
are calcium, hydrogen, magnesium, sodium and potassium,
while the important anions are bicarbonate, chloride and
phosphate, to name a few.
Minerals
are found throughout nature, although oftentimes the forms
they are found in are not well utilized by the human body.
In physiology, it is known that in order for an organism
to properly and completely absorb minerals, they must have
an electrical charge attached in order to penetrate cellular
barriers. This cellular barrier, known as the cellular membrane,
is the ultimate gatekeeper, deciding exactly what enters
and exits the cell. The fluid surrounding our cells is saturated
with both cations and anions, as is the fluid inside of
the cells. Because of this separation of atoms with specific
electrical charges, an electrical gradient, or current,
is formed across the cell membrane. Because of this current,
the movement of the charged mineral particles that the cell
requires tends to flow more easily across the cell membrane.
Ionic
versus Colloidal
The
chemical gradient results in the passive movement of ions
from a region of higher concentration to lesser concentration.
In humans, this process is achieved in the stomach, where
hydrochloric acid assists in splitting apart groups of atoms,
leaving them in an ionic state which allows them to more
easily penetrate the intestinal wall, where a large amount
of absorption takes place. The body preferentially absorbs
minerals in ionic form, while other mineral forms (organic,
colloidal) are not as readily absorbed.
The
term used to describe the condition in which materials are
held in a stable, colloidal suspension is called the ‘dispersed
phase.’ In the dispersed phase they are distributed evenly
and uniformly throughout whatever medium they are suspended.
The problem with this is that the ability of colloids to
be readily absorbed by the body is limited due to their
size and that they are not charged. Without an electrical
charge, minerals are not likely to penetrate the cell membrane.
Minerals
found in the stable colloidal state, are too large and insoluble
to dissolve but are also too small to settle out of the
suspension. This fixed state of suspension occurs regardless
of whether the substances are inorganic (metals) or organic
(plant tissues). Colloids, by definition, cannot penetrate
the semipermeable membranes which line our intestinal tract,
mouth and esophagus. Because of their relatively large particle
size, it is difficult for most living tissues to directly
absorb colloids.
Ionic
minerals are already in a form that the body recognizes
and understands so they can be easily assimilated through
the selectively permeable cell membranes. The colloidal
minerals, on the other hand, must first undergo a process
of conversion within the body prior to being absorbed, and
then only a certain percentage is utilized after the conversion
process. The bioavailablity of a mineral is influenced by
the form in which it is consumed in the diet, and by the
presence of other factors in the food that enhance or depress
mineral absorption and utilization.1
Ions
play an important role in the body. Larger minerals such
as calcium, potassium, sodium, and chloride are some key
ions that participate in the body's electrical conduction
systems. Imbalances of any of these ions or certain trace
ions in the body can negatively affect the transport of
minerals across the cell membranes, leading to dysfunction.
Meanwhile, trace minerals such as chromium, manganese, molybdenum,
selenium, vanadium and copper have very specific effects
in the body, and have far-reaching health effects as evidenced
by current research.
Chromium
Chromium
(Cr) is implicated in maintenance of blood sugar, prevention
of atherosclerosis, and control of cholesterol levels. Human
studies suggest that a particular form of chromium known
as chromium picolinate, enhances insulin sensitivity, glucose
removal, and may improve lipid ratios in obese and type
2 diabetics.2 Additionally, it is suggested that chromium
has a potential beneficial antioxidant effect in patients
with type 2 diabetes when combined with zinc and copper
supplementation.3 Chromium is found in some foods, in small
amounts. Because of this, supplementation with chromium
can have positive health implications.
Manganese
Manganese
(Mn) is a component of several enzyme systems, including
manganese-specific glycosyltransferases and phosphoenolpyruvate
carboxykinase, and is essential for normal bone structure.
Unrefined cereals, green leafy vegetables, and black tea
are the richest dietary sources of manganese. Unfortunately,
the refinement of grains has lead to widespread inadequacies
in the daily intake of manganese from our diet. Manganese
deficiency can manifest as transient dermatitis, hypocholesterolemia,
and an increased liver enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) levels.
Selenium
Selenium
(Se) is a part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which
metabolizes free radicals formed from the oxidation of polyunsaturated
fatty acids. Selenium is also a part of the enzymes that
deiodinate thyroid hormones, assisting the body’s use of
this hormone. Selenium functions as an antioxidant that
works in conjunction with vitamin E. One study determined
that head and neck cancer patients had serum selenium levels
that were significantly lower compared with controls, and
these levels decreased further as their tumor burden increased.4
Molybdenum
Molybdenum
(Mo) is a transition metal that forms oxides and is a component
of a coenzyme that is essential for the activity of xanthine
oxidase, sulfite oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase.5 Molybdenum
is derived principally from organ meats, whole-grain cereals,
and legumes. Molybdenum may possibly retard degenerative
diseases, cancer and aging. Molybdenum acts as a detoxification
agent in the liver as a part of the sulfite oxidase enzyme,
which destroys sulfite, a common preservative in foods and
drugs.
Vanadium
Vanadium
(V) has a significant role in inducing the production of
reduced glutathione content in the liver and specific extrahepatic
tissues.6 Additionally, vanadium increases the activity
of the detoxifying enzyme system glutathione S-transferase
in liver and in several extrahepatic tissues.7 Because of
vanadium’s ability to induce an increase of detoxifying
enzyme activity, vanadium might be considered a potential
cancer chemopreventive agent. Vanadium appears to function
like insulin by altering cell membrane function for ion
transport processes, increasing insulin receptor sensitivity.8
Vanadium may also inhibit cholesterol synthesis in animals
and humans resulting in decreased plasma levels.
Copper
Copper
(Cu) is a universally important cofactor for many hundreds
of enzymes. Copper functions as a co-factor and activator
of numerous enzymes that are involved in the development
and maintenance of the cardiovascular system. Copper is
essential for the function of reduced lysyl oxidase activity,
which causes a conversion of the connective tissue element
pro-elastin to elastin. A copper deficiency can result in
a decrease in the tinsel strength of arterial walls, leading
to aneurysm formation and skeletal maldevelopment.9 Other
effects of copper deficiency are anemia (iron storage disease
can result from chronic copper deficiency), poor hair keratinization
and hypopigmentation.10
Summary
From
the examples above, it is clear that maintaining a balance
of ionic minerals in the body is essential to our health.
Minerals provide much of the basic framework from which
health is built and maintained, and mineral supplementation
is an obvious choice for people who are interested in being
proactive in their health. As pointed out in the June 2002
edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association,
everyone needs to supplement with extra nutrients beyond
those found in their daily diets. This is not surprising
since over the last 200 years, the average amount of top
soil in the US has dramatically declined from 21 inches
to a mere 6 inches. Fueling your body with the sources of
minerals and nutrients is essential to help maintain vibrant
health.
1 Dreosti IE. Recommended dietary intakes of iron, zinc,
and other inorganic nutrients and their chemical form and
bioavailability. Nutrition 1993 Nov-Dec;9(6):542-5.
2 Cefalu WT, Wang ZQ, Zhang XH, Baldor LC, Russell JC. Oral
chromium picolinate improves carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
and enhances skeletal muscle Glut-4 translocation in obese,
hyperinsulinemic (JCR-LA corpulent) rats. J Nutr 2002 Jun;132(6):1107-14
3 Anderson RA, Roussel AM, Zouari N, Mahjoub S, Matheau
JM, Kerkeni A. Potential antioxidant effects of zinc and
chromium supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes
mellitus. J Am Coll Nutr 2001 Jun;20(3):212-8
4
Yadav SP, Gera A, Singh I, Chanda R. Serum selenium levels
in patients with head and neck cancer. J Otolaryngol 2002
Aug;31(4):216-9
5
Nielsen, Forrest H. Ultratrace Elements of Possible Importance
for Human Health: An Update Essential and Toxic Tace Elements
in Human Health: An Update, pages 355-376, 1993.
Angstrom Minerals Product And Price List
The information on this page has been extracted from http://www.traceminerals.com/research/ionictrace.html
