subject: 5 Unpleasant Effects Of Macromineral Deficiency [print this page] The macrominerals are seven essential nutrients (calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulphur). They support all round good health in a number of ways with some of their main benefits include keeping your organs healthy, promoting proper metabolism, protecting you from disease, supporting the absorption of various vitamins and minerals and removing waste materials from the body. Failing to eat enough macrominerals can lead to a number of health problems. In this article I will be expanding on this topic and outlining five of the unpleasant effects of macromineral deficiency.
1) CONFUSION:- Becoming deficient in phosphorus, potassium and sodium can lead to mental confusion. This makes it difficult to concentrate and focus on every day tasks.
2) MUSCLE PROBLEMS:- Eating low levels of calcium, chloride and potassium can cause a variety of muscle problems. Not eating enough calcium can cause muscle cramps whilst not eating enough chloride and sodium can lead to muscle twitching. Failing to eat enough potassium can make your muscles weak. Whilst most of the muscle problems listed do not put your health at risk they can cause discomfort and make it very difficult to perform certain types of exercise.
3) INFLAMMATION:- Inflammation is one of your body's natural responses to infection, injury or irritation. In most cases it is a necessary part of your body's healing and protective processes. However, sometimes external factors can cause unnecessary and harmful inflammation. Not eating enough sulphur is one of these external factors. In the short term unnecessary inflammation causes discomfort but in the long term it can cause permanent damage to your body.
4) POOR APPETITE:- Consuming low levels of phosphorus can suppress your appetite. If your appetite stays suppressed for a long period of time it can lead to a calorie deficit meaning that you will lose weight and be unable to perform certain essential functions. It can also lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies as you will not get adequate amounts of these nutrients from your diet.
5) REDUCED ENERGY LEVELS:- Being deficient in chloride, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium can all have an adverse effect on your energy levels making you feel lethargic, tired and weak. Whilst this does not damage your body it can make it difficult to perform daily tasks and exercise consistently.
As you can see from the above list macromineral deficiency is something you want to avoid. Fortunately, the unpleasant conditions discussed above can be averted by sticking to the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for each macromineral listed below:
- Calcium = 1000mg-1200mg for adults.
- Chloride = 750mg for adults.
- Magnesium = 300mg-400mg for adults.
- Phosphorus = 700mg for adults.
- Potassium = 4700mg for adults.
- Sodium = 1600mg for adults.
- Sulphur = No RDA but most sources suggest a daily intake of between 800mg-1000mg.
I hope this article has given you the motivation to eat a healthy, balanced diet that contains adequate amounts of all seven macominerals. If you do this macromineral deficiency should be one problem that you never experience.
