MINERALS

                                                - IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER -

BORON

Only a trace mineral? So to speak!

But playing an important role in protecting men against prostate cancer. It’s a potent inhibitor of cancer cells and their metastases, substantially decreasing their numbers. It also lowers the levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen) which is a protein synthesized in the prostate gland seeing as a blood indicator of prostate cancer, infection or inflammation. Having therefore both a preventive and therapeutic effects.

Studies on this precious mineral began 20 years ago, there are plenty of statistics: men with the biggest boron intake show up to a 54% lower risk of cancer, thanks to induced apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells and its ability to selectively inhibit the tumor growth, while allowing normal cells to grow.

Unfortunately it’s not abundantly found in food, anyway can be found in: apples, plums, grapes, avocados, nuts and legumes. Supplementing with this mineral may be the little known missing link for those seeking a mechanism of defense against prostate cancer.

My personal final hint is to look for a supplement of boron combined WITH: vitamin D3, magnesium, manganese, zinc and silicon for a boosted efficacy.

….Always humble,

Angiolino

SELENIUM

We all (think to) know it. We should ask the elderly: what do the “oldest old” have in common? The oldest have the highest levels of selenium (and other minerals like zinc). Surprised?

Here’s the trick: DNA damage is a major promoter of accelerated aging in the human body and one essential protective system is the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which depends on selenium for its actions against oxidative damage because it has….. a selenium atom at its core, hence indispensable for functioning. Besides, by preventing damage to DNA it also helps reduce the risk of cancers.

Moreover, after just one year of supplementation, it leads to increased expression of genes associated with our natural killer cells.

Two words about other benefits: it facilitates removal of dangerous toxins from the body, supports optimal thyroid function, decreases risk of cardiovascular and cognitive dysfunctions (up to 58% less).

This is my personal hint: not all forms of selenium are the same. Concentrate of these three:

Sodium selenite (boosts the body’s natural immune system responsiveness).

L-Selenomethionine (stops cancers at the earliest stages of development)

Selenium-methyl L-selenocysteine (induces apoptosis in cancer cells that have lost the suicide gene).

Needless to say the three forms should be combined together.

Now that you have a better reference, watch out: regular commercial multivitamins usually contains only ONE form of selenium. If on the package it’s NOT spicified which form: do NOT buy it. You look for a quality product, not the illusion of it.

….Always humble,

Angiolino

Shilajit

It’s a nutrient-rich biomass-phytocomplex/resin-mineral/herb deposit, found mostly in the Himalayas and possess the ability to carry nutrition into our body. Its Indian word means “rock-invincible” and was renowned for its remarkable health benefits. As a matter of fact it’s a rock-like substance when dried,  and is found in mountainous regions in Asia. In Ayurveda, it’s regarded as the strongest age fighting and rejuvenating component of the earth.

This material has great detoxification and energy producing benefits. So it can be used with any other kind of supplement to enhance potency and efficacy. It has of course properties of its own: restore energy, increase fertility, enhance immunity, reduce inflammation, improve cognitive decline and memory. Besides being an adaptogen (a substance that helps the body adapt to stressors), if you prefer a natural stress-fighting. It’s a sticky, tar-like resin and takes thousands of years to form.

Here are the facts: it’s consumed in Nepal (best quality), Northern India and Pakistan, in various forms. ALL people using it are renowned for extremely old age and great health: they have remarkable mental function as they age compared to Western countries and rarely have age-related disease in these regions. Think that Sherpan regions are located right in those areas, not by accident! It actually formed millions of years ago in the Australian mountains as well, although that quality is lower (anyway it must be said there are no official classifications). It contains 85 minerals. Most of them contain 60-80% fulvic acid. The greater the content of fulvic acid, the more anti-aging properties the compound contains. Fulvic acid is water soluble, moves through our system very quickly and acts as a very powerful antioxidant, more than noni or blueberries (ORAC reference: almost 500 Trolox units/g of organic material).

How does it work exactly? Shilajit restores the production of the body primary source of energy: ATP (adenosine triphosphate), our usable energy which is formed when mitochondria convert energy from the food we eat. Mitochondria are organelles responsible for such conversion of food into chemical energy. They are our power plants, which gradually function less efficiently with time, working harder and harder to produce the same amount of energy our body needs. Deteriorating, they lead to a decrease in vitality (less production of ATP). Our bodies face an energy crisis as we age: Shilajit helps by enhancing mitochondrial health with an administration of nutrients (that boost ATP production and reduces mitochondrial damage). Aging mitochondria and low energy are associated with accelerated aging of the brain and heart mainly, plus all other organs.

Mitochondrial aging deteriorates our nervous system. Its low energy production is both a cause and a consequence of memory loss and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the main substances in shilajit, the fulvic acid, appears to inhibits the evolution of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Other nutritive substances are triterpenes and humic acid. It might not be a cure for all weaknesses from skin problems to aging problems, as stated in many websites, but is certainly recommended by everyone who personally tried it.

….Always humble,

Angiolino