Mineral Imbalance Effects

By SWA

Minerals play critical roles in maintaining physiological functions and overall health. Both deficiencies and excesses can lead to various health issues, each with distinct symptoms and potential consequences. Below is a detailed overview of the effects of imbalances for each listed mineral:

Iron

Calcium

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Osteoporosis, rickets (in children), muscle spasms, numbness, tingling in fingers, lethargy.
    • Causes: Inadequate dietary intake, vitamin D deficiency, hypoparathyroidism.

    • Note update:

      "... the most common test, which measures vitamin D stores and deficiencies, and the 1,25-dihydroxy test, which should be used only if a patient has hypercalcemia, granulomatous diseases, chronic kidney failure, or hyperparathyroidism."
      "...Serum levels of 1,25-dihyroxy vitamin D have little or no relationship to vitamin D stores but rather are regulated primarily by parathyroid hormone levels, which in turn are regulated by calcium and/or vitamin D. In vitamin D deficiency, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels go up, not down.” https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/orders-wrong-vitamin-d-test-rising-2025a1000o2b?ecd=WNL_conf_CAP-path-NON-SPON_250927_MSCPEDIT_etid7746019&uac=427271HY&impID=7746019

  • Excess:
    • Effects: Hypercalcemia, kidney stones, cardiovascular issues, impaired absorption of other minerals.
    • Causes: Hyperparathyroidism, excessive supplementation, certain cancers.

Magnesium

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Muscle cramps, mental disorders, osteoporosis, fatigue, high blood pressure, asthma.
    • Causes: Poor diet, chronic diseases, alcoholism, certain medications.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, cardiac arrest (in severe cases).
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, kidney failure.

Zinc

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Growth retardation, hair loss, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, eye and skin lesions, impaired immune function.
    • Causes: Poor dietary intake, malabsorption, chronic illnesses.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, headaches, reduced immune function.
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, consumption of foods/drinks stored in zinc containers.

Potassium

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Hypokalemia, muscle weakness, cramping, fatigue, arrhythmias, constipation.
    • Causes: Poor dietary intake, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, use of diuretics.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Hyperkalemia, muscle fatigue, weakness, paralysis, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest.
    • Causes: Kidney failure, excessive supplementation, certain medications.

Phosphorus

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Weakness, bone pain, rickets (in children), osteomalacia (in adults), irritability, confusion.
    • Causes: Poor diet, alcoholism, diabetic ketoacidosis, certain medications.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Hyperphosphatemia, calcification of non-skeletal tissues, kidney damage.
    • Causes: Kidney failure, excessive supplementation, overconsumption of phosphorus-rich foods.

Copper

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Anemia, bone abnormalities, decreased immune function, cardiovascular problems.
    • Causes: Poor dietary intake, malabsorption, genetic disorders.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Liver damage, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, neurological symptoms.
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, exposure to high levels in drinking water.

Iodine

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Goiter, hypothyroidism, mental retardation (in severe cases), cretinism (in infants).
    • Causes: Inadequate dietary intake, certain foods (goitrogens), pregnancy.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism), goiter.
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, excessive consumption of iodine-rich foods.

Selenium

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Keshan disease (cardiomyopathy), Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthropathy), hypothyroidism, weakened immune function.
    • Causes: Poor dietary intake, soil deficiency.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Selenosis, gastrointestinal disturbances, hair loss, white blotchy nails, garlic breath odor, nervous system abnormalities.
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, consuming selenium-rich foods.

Molybdenum

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Rare; may cause neurological symptoms, mental changes, night blindness.
    • Causes: Genetic disorders, poor diet.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Rare; may cause joint pain, gout-like symptoms.
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, excessive dietary intake.

Chloride

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Hypochloremia, metabolic alkalosis, dehydration, weakness, difficulty breathing.
    • Causes: Prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, certain medications.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Hyperchloremia, fluid retention, high blood pressure, kidney stones.
    • Causes: Dehydration, high salt intake, kidney dysfunction.

Fluoride

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Increased risk of dental cavities.
    • Causes: Poor dietary intake, low fluoride in water.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis.
    • Causes: High fluoride in water, over-supplementation.

Sulfur

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Rare; may cause joint pain, poor hair and nail growth.
    • Causes: Poor diet, certain medical conditions.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Rare; may cause digestive upset.
    • Causes: Excessive dietary intake.

Cobalt

  • Deficiency:
    • Effects: Linked with vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia, neurological symptoms).
    • Causes: Poor diet, malabsorption.
  • Excess:
    • Effects: Cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism.
    • Causes: Over-supplementation, exposure in industrial settings.

Maintaining a balanced intake of these minerals through a well-rounded diet is crucial for preventing these adverse effects. If you suspect a mineral imbalance, it is advisable to consult a health professionals who are experts in nutrition for proper testing and food guidance.

 

Disclaimer: By accessing and reading this blog, you acknowledge that the information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is intended to address commonly asked questions and is derived from reputable scientific literature. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns or conditions.

 
 © 2000-2025 Sieglinde W. Alexander. All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fife year copy right.
Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742
ISBN: 0-9703195-0-9

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