Resources

Magnesium

What is Magnesium? Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bone. The other half is found predominantly inside cells of body tissues and organs. Only 1% of magnesium is found in blood, but the body works very hard to keep blood levels of magnesium constant. How could Magnesium help my body? Magnesium helps to keep normal muscle and nerve function, in addition it helps steady your heart’s rhythm and supports a healthy immune system.

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Potassium

## What is Potassium? Potassium is a necessary mineral in daily nutrition; it assists in muscle contraction and helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in your body's cells. Potassium is also important in sending nerve impulses as well as releasing energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism. Eating a variety of foods that contain potassium is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements.

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Selenium

## What is Selenium? Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. Selenium generates important antioxidant enzymes in the body. These antioxidant properties of Selenium help to prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. How could Selenium help my body?

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Sodium (salt)

## What is Sodium? Our bodies use sodium to regulate blood pressure and muscle function. However, if we eat too much sodium it can increase our blood pressure. Over time, one thing is sure, nearly all bodies representing health professionals recommend keeping intake low. ## Do I get enough Sodium? For the vast majority of people, it is unlikely that you need to increase your sodium intake. Most people in the west actually consume too much Sodium, because of the amounts in processed and pre-prepared food.

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Zinc

## What is zinc? The mineral zinc is present in every part of the body and has a wide range of functions. It helps with the healing of wounds and is a vital component of many enzyme reactions. Zinc is vital for the healthy working of many of the body’s systems. It is particularly important for healthy skin and is essential for a healthy immune system and resistance to infection. Various chemicals added to many processed foods can also reduce zinc absorption How could zinc help my body?

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BMI testing with our BMI Calculator

BMI testing is used to check if your weight is within range for your height. Although this test is often used to check if you are within the commonly accepted ranges of weight, it's not perfect. This is due to differences in body frames, metabolic rates, age groups, and a lifestyles. Most importantly, we should be healthy, full of energy and happy no matter what our current BMI reading. It can be equally bad to have too low a BMI reading as a high reading.

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Portion Sizes and Weight Conversions

On this page we provide portion sizes for some common foods. Although currently we only have portion sizes for a small number of foods, we give the following guidance. A fresh fruit or veg portion is normally about 80-100g and this would normally count as one of your daily intake. A single glass of fruit juice such as orange is also considered as one portion, but only one glass as there is no fibre in juice and a lot of sugar.

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