The following article is from the Journal of the Institute of Nutritional Science, June, 1996. Further information on the Institute's Journal, services and other publications may be obtained from: The Institute of Nutritional Science, 9528 Miramar Road, Suite 180, San Diego, CA 92126 Tel: 800-454-8464
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Non-Toxicity of True Bio-Electrical Colloidal Trace Minerals
A question of constant concern when discussing liquid trace mineral supplements frequently seems to be the presence of what are viewed as harmful or toxic minerals. Since a natural, unadulterated mineral product would contain the full spectrum of elements found in nature, it would of necessity contain those which we have come to think of as toxic. Minerals such as cadmium, aluminum, arsenic, lead, mercury and others strike terror in our thoughts and we sometimes have difficulty in understanding why they are present in liquid mineral supplements.
Firstly we must go back to the concept that all minerals are not created equal. In their inorganic rock state ALL minerals can be potentially toxic because of the body's inability to utilize and break them down. Something as seemingly beneficial as calcium, if very alkaline, can circulate in the blood stream awaiting acidification and can contribute to the raw material that occludes the arteries. Yet properly acidified calcium is not only welcomed by the body but absolutely necessary for life.
As our knowledge of human biochemistry proceeds, more and more information will come to light regarding the many micro trace elements and their biological role in the human body. Arsenic for example, was always thought of as a deadly poison and indeed in the inorganic form is certainly is, however recent studies have shown that arsenic is an essential mineral and is even being considered for the RDI list!
Many minerals such as molybdenum and even selenium and chromium were, just a few years ago, considered non-essential and even dangerous. The next decade will undoubtedly bring a much greater understanding of the role of the full spectrum of elements naturally present in the human body tissues.
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Fulvic Minerals
All plants convert metallic mineral ions into hydrophilic fulvic colloidal/ionic minerals of extremely small particle sizes. It is this natural chelation process (by fulvic acids, microorganisms and photosynthesis) that creates a fulvic colloidal mineral that is perfectly utilized by other biological systems. All fulvic colloidal minerals from plants are non-toxic in reasonable dosage. If one where to drink even 2 grains of iodine in it's free non-colloidal form, it could end your life. But take that same amount of iodine in its plant-derived, fulvic, colloidal form, and it becomes beneficial to the body, not harmful. This is also true for plant-derived lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, mercury etc.
Fulvic colloidal/ionic minerals contain trace amounts of lead naturally found in the earth's crust at 15 ppm. Ground-water commonly consumed as drinking water also contains minute levels of lead. All mineral tablets, including amino acid chelates, are derived from hydrophobic rock minerals such as calcium carbonate or zinc oxide. These minerals are ionized and then chemically bound to an amino acid molecule. Most consumers are unaware that all limestone and other rock minerals contain trace amounts of lead and other heavy metals and no fulvic acids!
Mineral analyses are expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/l) which is equivalent to parts per million (ppm). Note that virtually all mineral products contain aluminum, lead, and arsenic. Plants have been absorbing these elements for millions of years with no apparent negative outcome. For example: According to the Agronomy Handbook, bananas, beans, and many other plant foods contain over 100 ppm (approximately 100 mg/l) aluminum per serving. Humans have also been ingesting minute quantities of these same elements since the earliest time of existence. The average diet contains 35 mcg cadmium, 40 mcg of arsenic, 150 mcg of lead, and over 100 mg (ppm) of aluminum daily. There is also evidence to suggest that these elements may actually be essential for cellular function, provided that they are bound to fulvic acids. For example: when goats where completely deprived of arsenic they where no longer able to lactate. Studies have also been conducted with other elements with similar results.
Understand that safe ingestion of any mineral depends on dosage and form. Therefore, when using any trace mineral product, the consumer should remember that these are "trace mineral" supplements, not macro-mineral supplements. Only small quantities are needed by the body on a daily basis. Taking a few drops of any fulvic concentrate, or an ounce of fulvic colloidal mineral water, presents no danger of heavy metal poisoning. All naturally derived fulvic colloidal/ionic minerals have trace amounts of minerals and elements, exceeding those of products claiming to be very low in, or free of, aluminum, arsenic, lead, etc., Those products tend to be more diluted, using various chemical methods for removal of "undesirable" elements, with virtually no mineral or trace element content! Using chemicals to remove these elements from fulvic shale breaks down the delicate fulvic acid bonds creating an inferior product!