My conversation with Dr Marian Alonzo, Medical Chief at The Farm at San Benito, raised a powerful question: if minerals are so vital to our health, why aren’t more people actively using them to feel better? The answer may lie in a lack of awareness and motivation. This article aims to bridge that gap—highlighting the essential role minerals play in our physical and emotional well-being and encouraging readers to explore a more mineral-conscious lifestyle.
Many of us strive to live healthily—eating balanced meals, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest. Yet, despite doing all the “right” things, we may still experience fatigue, anxiety, or a lingering sense of imbalance. One possible reason? Mineral deficiencies. Often overlooked, these imbalances can quietly undermine our efforts toward optimal health.
My conversation with Dr Marian Alonzo, Medical Chief at The Farm at San Benito, raised a powerful question: if minerals are so vital to our health, why aren’t more people actively using them to feel better? The answer may lie in a lack of awareness and motivation. This article aims to bridge that gap—highlighting the essential role minerals play in our physical and emotional well-being and encouraging readers to explore a more mineral-conscious lifestyle.
Many of us strive to live healthily—eating balanced meals, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest. Yet, despite doing all the “right” things, we may still experience fatigue, anxiety, or a lingering sense of imbalance. One possible reason? Mineral deficiencies. Often overlooked, these imbalances can quietly undermine our efforts toward optimal health.
Minerals are fundamental to the body’s ability to function, supporting everything from muscle activity and nerve communication to bone health and immune defence. Dr Jeffrey Bland puts it clearly: “Minerals are the building blocks of life that help control every aspect of biochemistry in the body.” Even slight deficiencies can lead to symptoms such as low energy, digestive discomfort, or mood swings—often misattributed to stress, ageing, or overwork.
Key minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and selenium are essential to maintaining balance. Magnesium in particular is a standout. It supports over 300 biochemical processes and regulates everything from muscle contraction to heart rhythm. Beyond its physical roles, magnesium is vital for mental health—helping to stabilise mood, reduce stress, and support the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter linked to feelings of well-being.
Despite the growing popularity of health supplements, mineral deficiencies remain surprisingly common. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 60% of people fall short of the recommended magnesium intake. Iron deficiency affects up to 30% of the global population, particularly women and children, and zinc deficiency impacts around 2 billion people worldwide. These figures are especially concerning given that even the most nutrient-aware individuals may be vulnerable due to factors such as soil depletion, food processing, and individual absorption challenges.
“Minerals are not just supplements,” says Dr Alonzo. “They’re vital messengers that support energy production, cellular repair, and detoxification.” Her insights are echoed by functional medicine expert Dr Mark Hyman, who explains, “If you’re not taking the right minerals, you could be missing the foundational elements that fuel your body’s healing systems.” Physician associate Karisma Melwani, MSHS, PA-C, also reinforces the idea: “Adding minerals to our daily regime can help support the foundation and add to the bigger picture.”
Dr Alonzo also emphasises the importance of listening to the body’s subtle cues. “Maybe you can’t quite articulate what’s wrong, but you have a sense that you’re not quite yourself. If you take a moment to pause and truly listen, the body recognises that—and then it begins to self-regulate.” This gentle self-awareness doesn’t replace nutritional support, but it does lay the foundation. When we acknowledge what our body is trying to communicate, we make space for healing—and are more likely to take intuitive action, like investigating possible deficiencies.
Scientific research continues to support the case for mineral therapy. A 2022 study in Nutrients found that magnesium supplementation significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in individuals with low magnesium levels. Research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms that zinc improves immune function, shortens the duration of colds, and aids wound healing. A 2021 study in The Lancet found that iron deficiency in children was linked to cognitive delays and impaired brain development—highlighting the mineral’s critical neurological role.
These findings reaffirm that minerals are not just protective—they’re foundational to thriving. Addressing deficiencies can mean the difference between functioning and flourishing.
If you’re wondering where to start, consider evaluating your intake of mineral-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, and seafood. However, given the limitations of modern agriculture and individual absorption, even the most well-intentioned diet may need a boost. In such cases, targeted supplementation—guided by a healthcare provider—can make a world of difference.
Dr Alonzo also emphasises the importance of listening to the body’s subtle cues. “Maybe you can’t quite articulate what’s wrong, but you have a sense that you’re not quite yourself. If you take a moment to pause and truly listen, the body recognises that—and then it begins to self-regulate.” This gentle self-awareness doesn’t replace nutritional support, but it does lay the foundation. When we acknowledge what our body is trying to communicate, we make space for healing—and are more likely to take intuitive action, like investigating possible deficiencies.
Scientific research continues to support the case for mineral therapy. A 2022 study in Nutrients found that magnesium supplementation significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in individuals with low magnesium levels. Research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms that zinc improves immune function, shortens the duration of colds, and aids wound healing. A 2021 study in The Lancet found that iron deficiency in children was linked to cognitive delays and impaired brain development—highlighting the mineral’s critical neurological role.
These findings reaffirm that minerals are not just protective—they’re foundational to thriving. Addressing deficiencies can mean the difference between functioning and flourishing.
If you’re wondering where to start, consider evaluating your intake of mineral-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, and seafood. However, given the limitations of modern agriculture and individual absorption, even the most well-intentioned diet may need a boost. In such cases, targeted supplementation—guided by a healthcare provider—can make a world of difference.
Mineral therapy isn’t about chasing trends or quick fixes. It’s about returning to the basics: restoring the nutrients that fuel every system in the body. As Dr Alonzo puts it, “The right minerals can act as the missing link, helping to heal your body from the inside out.” If you’ve been doing all the right things and still don’t feel like yourself, perhaps it’s time to ask—what are you missing?
The answer could be simpler than you think. It might just be a mineral away.
