and other chemicals. Can also be found in air, food and water
supplies.
Uses in the body: Required for glucose tolerance factor. Vanadium
forms compounds with other biological substances. The average
human body contains 20 mg. of vanadium, which probably is
involved in cholesterol metabolism and hormone production.
Preliminary reports show that vanadium might protect against the
development of breast cancer and might slow down the growth of
tumors.
Deficiency: Hypoglycemia, diabetes, increased dental cavities, elevated
triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, chest pain, coughing, wheezing,
runny nose and sore throat. In animal studies, a deficiency caused
growth retardation, bone deformities and infertility.
Toxicity: Extremely harmful to lungs, throat and eyes in high levels.
Leads ultimately to death.Zinc (Zn)
Acid/Alkaline: Acid-forming
Food sources: Pumpkin seeds, seaweed (c.a. kelp and dulse, etc.), nuts,
green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, onions, wheat germ.
Uses in the body: Enhances immune system and thymus. Protects
against birth defects. Involved in many enzyme systems and in the
synthesis of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA), so it is directly related to
growth and repair of the body. Brain, genital organs, thyroid, liver
and kidneys. Effects transfer of carbon dioxide from tissue to lungs.
Constituent of digestive enzyme for hydrolysis of proteins. Aids in
healing wounds.
Deficiency: Lack of intestinal absorption. Restrictive growth. Loss of
appetite, poor skin color and appearance, white spots on fingernails,
slow wound healing, infertility, diabetes, loss of taste, poor night
vision, birth defects, stretch marks, behavioral disturbances, failure
of the testes or ovaries to develop, and dwarfism. Chronic diarrhea,
cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes and kidney disease are prone to zinc
deficiency.
Toxicity: High doses can produce liver disease with lethargy, pain in the
stomach and fever. Also, increased colon and breast cancer.