*All information shared herein is cited and sourced from UNDA resources via Seroyal.*
The function of Trace Minerals
Over a century ago, French chemist and biologist Gabriel Bertrand discovered that trace
minerals (mineral salts) are naturally present within the body. These minerals play an
extremely important biological role as key components in the control of cellular metabolism in homeostatic regulation. At the cellular level, trace minerals are used at minute intracellular dilutions, released in ionized form for immediate transportation and utilized throughout the body. Trace minerals function as:
Enzymatic co-factors. Enzymes are the biological catalysts required in most chemical
reactions that occur in biological systems. Enzymes allow the body to perform metabolic functions at rates in excess of a million times greater than would be possible without them. Formed out of protein molecules, most enzymes depend on specific, low-concentration trace minerals to provide metal ions as either stabilizers or activators, as well as help determine the enzyme’s specificity for a given substrate. Trace minerals become the co-factors to help normalize enzymatic function.
- Example: As a stabilizer, the trace mineral metal ion combines with the protein
molecule in a permanent structure. Cytochrome C, an enzyme involved
in oxidation-reduction processes, contains iron as an integral part of
its structure.
- Example: As an activator, the protein forms a bond with the trace mineral-metal only during the reaction itself, so that the metal ion acts as an enzyme catalyst.
Alkaline Phosphatase, an enzyme essential for bone formation, functions only
in the presence of zinc ions.
- Example: Trace minerals affect the molecular configuration of enzymes, and can also induce distortions in the substrate, rendering it more susceptible to enzyme
modification. Carboxypeptidase, a proteolytic enzyme, contains a zinc
stabilizer that alters peptide configuration allowing hydrolysis at the
carboxy-terminal.
Hormone modulators: Trace minerals are essential in the production of hormones and
vitamins in the body.
- Example: iodine is essential in the production of T3 and 14
- Example: cobalt is essential in the existence of Vitamin B12
- Example: Iron {s essential in the composition of hemoglobin
Structural components: Minerals possess either a quantitative or qualitative effect,
depending on whether they work at the macro (quantitative) level of structural formation and functional processes, or at the micro (qualitative) level of cellular enzyme activation. Trace minerals work at a micro level (qualitative in action) but may have additional roles and work at a macro (or quantitative) level.
- Example: fluoride aids in the normal growth of teeth and bone
- Example: silica aids in the growth of the connective tissue
What are Oligo Elements?
“Oligo elements” or “oligotherapy” are trace minerals in a highly bioavailable form, administered in small doses and at low concentrations, providing ions the body cannot synthesize and which are indispensable for cellular enzymatic functions. With a good safety profile, oligo elements have: no known side effects; no known drug to drug interaction; and will not cause any pharmaco-dependency. Oligotherapy can be well integrated with other modalities.
Oligo Elements and Physiological Disorders
Oligo elements are suited to treating functional pathologies and bringing the body back to homeostasis. It is a holistic approach that takes not just the physical but also the constitution of the individual into account. By regulating a particular constitution, practitioners are able to diminish or modulate reactivity in relation to a specific pathological predisposition. Metabolic disorders involving Oligo elements can be divided into two main groups: disorders of overload and disorders of deficiency.
Disorders of Overload
Overload disorders are due primarily to accidental intoxication from adulterated foods and environmental pollutants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or element disequilibrium.
Metal toxicity has become a major contributing factor in many metabolic disorders and
functional diseases. For example, aluminum, a common contaminant in soft drink cans and some cookware, is known to induce neurofribillary formations in the brains of higher animals and has been found in significant concentrations in the brains of individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.
Toxic metals directly interfere with specific enzyme functions. Zinc-dependent enzymes are a prime example. In the presence of even low levels of lead, a close neighbor of zinc in the periodic table, these enzymes can bind to lead and thus be inactivated. Mercury and cadmium are also known toxic enzyme inhibitors. The toxic effect of these heavy metals stems from their ability to distort the substrate binding site of the enzyme rendering it useless. Targeted doses of oligo elements displace toxic inhibitors and reactivate enzyme functions.
An Imbalance in the intracellular oligo element equilibrium can cause a build-up of one
element at the expense of the other, thus leading to a qualitative insufficiency. This
disequilibrium toxicity will respond to oligatherapy. For example, Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme activated by zinc, but the complex is highly changeable. Other divalent cations, such as magnesium or cobalt, if present in excessive levels, can bind to the enzyme and deactivate it. Large doses of zinc will only contribute to disequilibrium and are unable to reactivate the enzymes. Only direct administration of targeted doses of oligo elements will reactivate these enzymes.
As therapeutic enzymatic regulators, oligo elements aid in the treatment of biochemical
dysfunctions without disturbing the existing equilibrium. Supplying these needed mineral co-factors at precise concentrations unblocks diseased metabolic pathways, allowing healing mechanisms to operate and prepare the patient to respond more readily and successfully to other modalities.
Disorders of Deficiencies
Quantitative mineral deficiencies are the result of either a decrease of absorption or increased excretion. Absorption may be affected by alimentary supply. Deficient foods as a result of mineral depleted agricultural soils can deprive the body of essential metal cofactors. As a result, vegetarians have been determined at risk for mineral deficiencies in manganese, zinc, chromium, magnesium, copper and iron. Frequently, absorption is affected by decreased bioavailability of foods due to chelation with inassimilable compounds, such as phytates, phosphates, and antibiotics, or intestinal pathology (malabsorption syndromes), including dysbiosis of the microflora and other diseases.
Deficiencies may also be the result of increased excretion. For example, infants exposed to intrauterine alcohol have decreased plasma zinc levels and increased urinary excretion, resulting in decreased protein synthesis. There is a tight relationship between element equilibrium and metabolism. For example, zinc plays an important role in the synthesis of amino acids as a cofactor for Glutamate Dehydrogenase, magnesium is necessary for digestion as a primary cofactor for protein Peptidase, copper helps prevent free radical pathology as a part of Superoxide Dismutase, and manganese {s essential for DNA synthesis and repair in DNA Polymerase. The scientific literature contains volumes of examples of minerals and their affect on the body’s metabolism. The proper functioning of each of these processes is dependent on a highly integrated and balanced relationship of one mineral to another. As indicated above, a toxicity, deficiency or imbalance in any one mineral can be at the expense of another, resulting
in metabolic disorder.
Oligo elements administered in the precise form and concentrations capable of rapid
absorption quickly provide essential metals to reactivate cofactor-deprived or -inhibited
enzymes. These reactivated enzymes are then capable of returning the cell to normal
functioning capacity where they can then utilize other nutrients to promote normal
metabolism and cellular homeostasis.
Used as supplementation, oligo elements are suited to treating functional pathologies
stemming from trace mineral deficiencies caused by: nutritional imbalances, increased
requirements; or insufficient absorption.
The Law of Arndt-Schultz
Conventional pharmacology dictates that a certain amount of an active substance is required in order for it to act upon receptors, enzymatic reactions or any other mechanism, and have an effect. This implies a linear dose-related effect relationship: the higher the dose, the stronger the action and the increased toxicity.
Oligo elements dosage is different. Its effectiveness is based more upon the Law of
Amdt-Schultz: low doses stimulate, medium doses regulate and high doses depress.
Concentrations higher than those required to maintain essential functions may have a
secondary or pharmacological effect.
How to Take Gammadyns
Take one ampoule one to two times daily on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner. Squeeze contents directly into mouth. Hold under tongue for about 20 seconds and swallow.