Minerals

Ayurveda for a healthy life ! – 46/2025 on 16.2.2025

1.  What are the types, functions of minerals and diseases due to their deficiency ?

Minerals constitute about 8% of our total body weight. Some minerals form important constituents of our body, e.g. calcium and phosphorous are important constituents of the bones and teeth whereas iron is an important constituent of the red blood cells.

Minerals like iron, sodium, potassium, chlorine, bicarbonates etc. maintain the acid-base balance in the body fluids, osmotic pressure, water balance and excitability of muscles and nerves. Besides these, some minerals like zinc, cobalt, copper etc. are required by the body in a very small quantity for the regulation of various metabolic processes in the body.

1A.   Iron

1A 1.   What are the functions of iron in our body ? : Iron is an important constituent of haemoglobin present in the red blood cells which helps in transporting oxygen through the blood. In addition, iron is an important constituent of myoglobin present in the muscle cells which is essential for intracellular respiration.

1A 2.   Daily requirement : In children 10 milligrams per day and in adults 18 milligrams per day

1A 3.   What are the dietary sources of iron ? : Liver, meat, egg yolk, legumes, nuts and green leafy vegetables are rich in iron. Among cereals, bajari and ragi (Finger millet) are good sources of iron. Milk is a poor source of iron.

1A 4.   Diseases due to deficiency : Deficiency of iron leads to anaemia characterised by pallor, easy fatiguability etc. It can be confirmed by undergoing a blood test for haemoglobin & observing the shape and size of the red blood cells under a microscope.

1B.   Calcium

1B 1.   What are the functions of calcium in the body ? : Calcium forms an important structural component of bones, teeth and milk. It plays an important role in 1. Contraction of the muscles and heart, 2. Excitability of the nerves and 3. Clotting of blood.

1B 2.   Requirement : Requirement of 500 to 800 milligrams of calcium in children and 1200 milligrams per day in adults

1B 3.   What are the sources of calcium in our diet ?

          Sources of calcium (in mg per 100 gm)

A.   Vegetables : Agathi – 320, curry leaves – 230, amaranth  – 220, neem leaves – 140, drumstick leaves – 120, Bengal gram leaves – 340, carrot leaves – 340, kulattha (Horse gram) – 287, udid (Black gram) – 60, coriander leaves – 40, roasted Bengal gram – 58, chavli (Cow peas) – 79 and dry beans – 20.

B.   Spices : Asafoetida – 190, coriander – 180, chillies – 40 and tamarind – 50.

C.   Meat : Crabs – 1,370 and prawns – 350.

D.   Milk : Cheese – 220, skimmed milk powder – 320, cow’s milk – 120 and buffalo’s milk – 210.

The common practice of chewing pan-supari or tambul (Tobacco) ensures adequate supply of calcium and Vitamin A for the poor. Each betel leaf provides 96 I.U. (International units) of Vitamin A and 0.5 gm. to 1 gm. of calcium taken in the form of chuna, i.e. calcium hydroxide eaten along with the betel leaf.

          Vitamins C and D promote absorption of calcium.

1B 4.   What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency ?

A.   The bones and teeth become soft and curved,

B. Rickets,
C. Retardation of growth.

D. Convulsions due to increased irritability of nerves known as tetany,

E. Severe deficiency of calcium gives rise to bleeding.

1B 5.   What are the sources and functions of other minerals in the body ? : The sources, functions and effect due to deficiency of other minerals are given in the following table.

A.   Aluminium : There is no evidence that aluminium is essential for the human body. Aluminium vessels are used for cooking and there is no evidence that aluminium is harmful to the body even when taken in a moderate quantity.

B.   Arsenic : Arsenic is found in the body in a small quantity but it is not essential. A slightly greater quantity is a deadly poison.

          Nickel, silicon, manganese are present in traces. However, there is no evidence that they are essential.

1B 6.   Harmful effects of some minerals when absorbed into the body in excess

A.   Copper : Copper dust and fumes from crackers cause irritation of the respiratory tract. In Wilson’s disease, copper is deposited in the skin, brain, liver, pancreas and heart and it impairs the functions of these organs.

B.   Zinc : Zinc when absorbed in excess, stimulates the sensation of vomiting. It may cause irritation of the skin and lungs.

C.   Manganese : Manganese toxicity is caused by inhalation of dust and fumes of mines and smoke from crackers. The main symptoms are languor, a sleepy feeling, weakness, emotional disturbances, spastic gait and paralysis.

D.   Lead : Lead is a metabolic poison and an enzyme inhibitor. Young children can suffer from mental retardation and reversible brain damage due to accidental ingestion of lead. It can lead to cancer of the lungs and kidneys and is an experimental teratogen.

E.   Gold : Gold is administered orally in the form of organic compounds by Ayurvedic physicians for various diseases and as tonic. It is used in modern medicine in the form of sodium aurothiomalate injections for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. If taken in excess, gold and other heavy metals get deposited on the bones and can lead to aplastic anaemia.

F.   Cadmium : Cadmium absorption can damage the kidneys and can cause anaemia. It increases the blood pressure and makes the bones brittle. It is a potential human carcinogen. Fumes of crackers and sparklers contain cadmium which is absorbed into the body through the respiratory tract.