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Selenium is an essential trace element that plays an important role in a number of physiological processes in humans.  It is a key element in spermatogenesis (the production or development of mature spermatozoa) and male fertility.  Selenium has also been shown to support the immune system by promoting the production of killer T-cells (a type of white blood cell), which engulf and destroy harmful foreign substances that enter the body and could otherwise cause disease and infection.  Selenium works in close conjunction with vitamin E as an antioxidant to prevent the formation of free radicals which can weaken and damage cells in every organ system. 

In addition, research has shown that selenium is an essential component of the thyroid gland’s functions, helping to regulate the amount of the thyroid hormone T3 that is produced within the body – without selenium the T3 hormone cannot be produced which can be catastrophic to a wide variety of your body’s systems.  It is believed that good selenium intake can help to prevent hair loss and promote shiny hair and healthy nail growth.  Brazil nuts are the richest source of selenium discovered so far, also found in mushrooms, shellfish, garlic, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, selenium is destroyed when foods are refined or processed so eating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods is the best way to get selenium into your diet.

Selenium contributes to:

·         normal spermatogenesis

·         the maintenance of normal hair

·         the maintenance of normal nails

·         the normal function of the immune system

·         normal thyroid function

·         the protection of cells from oxidative stress

Chromium is an essential trace mineral required in the diet for proper protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.  Essential for glucose metabolism, chromium also helps the hormone insulin to function properly thereby maintaining normal glucose levels in the blood.  The best food source of chromium is broccoli closely followed by grape juice.  Other sources include whole grains, nuts and molasses.

Chromium contributes to:

·         Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism

·         Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels

Molybdenum is an essential trace element for virtually all life forms.  It functions as a cofactor for a number of enzymes that catalyse important chemical transformations in the global carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles.  Molybdenum dependant enzymes are not only required for human health but the health of our eco-system! 

In humans, molybdenum helps to jumpstart a number of the body’s important enzymes, one being sulphite oxidase which catalyses the transformation of sulphite to sulphate – a reaction that is necessary for the metabolism of sulphur containing amino acids - it also helps the body detoxify sulphites which are found in protein rich foods.  Dietary concentration of molybdenum may vary according to the status of the soil in which vegetables and grains are raised but is usually found in dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Molybdenum contributes to:

·      normal sulphur amino acid metabolism

The importance of magnesium ions for all life itself, as well as for overall vibrant health, is hard to overstate.  Frequently referred to as the “miracle mineral”, magnesium is required to give the “spark of life” to metabolic functions involving the creation of energy and its transport, the creation and synthesis of proteins and is involved in literally hundreds of enzymatic reactions - it activates the enzymes that make copies of DNA and RNA making it essential in the process of cell division. 

Roughly half of your body’s magnesium is stored in your bones and acts as a cofactor with calcium and vitamin D to maintain and strengthen the bone structure and teeth (your teeth can only form hard enamel from calcium if magnesium is available).  It also works, again in concert with calcium, to regulate electrical impulses in the cells.  Cellular calcium channels allow the mineral to enter the cell only as long as needed to conduct an impulse, it is ushered out immediately by magnesium once its task is fulfilled, operating as a natural calcium channel blocker and responsible for relaxation, magnesium is pivotally important to the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system.  Both magnesium and calcium are intimately involved with muscle function (magnesium relaxes, calcium contracts) with frequent muscle cramps being a symptom of a deficiency in magnesium.  If magnesium is severely deficient, the brain is particularly affected as magnesium is crucial to the production of neurotransmitters and the integrity of the blood brain barrier and therefore is needed to maintain normal psychological function.  The best food sources of magnesium include; avocados, chia and hemp seeds, sesame seeds, raw cacao and raw chocolate, sprouted nuts/seeds, sea vegetables (such as kelp and nori), raw green vegetables and grass fed dairy products.

Magnesium contributes to:

·         a reduction of tiredness and fatigue

·         electrolyte balance

·         normal energy yielding metabolism

·         normal functioning of the nervous system

·         normal muscle function

·         normal protein synthesis

·         normal psychological function

·         the maintenance of normal bones

·         the maintenance of normal teeth

·         Magnesium has a role in the process of cell division