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Back by special request we have The Mineral Geek returning today. Caroline Alan is a mineral expert, author, and Co-Founder and CEO of BEAM Minerals. We will cover, The main minerals that affect mental health with a highlight on Plant-Based Minerals.
We tend to think of problems with mental health being solved with therapy. But you are saying that mineral deficiency plays a role. How is it connected?
The main minerals that affect mental health:
Magnesium – energy production. Magnesium blocks NMDA receptors in the brain. This action stops excess nerve excitation. It modulates the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, helping to lower stress hormones like cortisol. Magnesium helps support and balance neurotransmitters like serotonin (for mood), GABA (for calm), and melatonin (for sleep). Mental or physical stress can deplete magnesium levels, and low magnesium can increase feelings of anxiety and depression, creating a continuous cycle
Copper – Works with Magnesium and is key to making dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin in the body. Copper helps regulate stress hormones and your thyroid, which keeps your mood stable
Selenium – The brain needs thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) to control mood. Selenium-dependent enzymes activate these hormones. Selenium may help modulate dopamine and serotonin, the brain chemicals responsible for happiness and emotional stability
Zinc – dopamine, serotonin and Gaba (calming) – important for anxiety. Zinc calms overactive NMDA receptors in brain cells, which protects neurons from toxic stress and damage linked to depression
Iron – Iron acts as an essential helper (cofactor) for enzymes that manufacture key mood chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Low iron can disrupt the body’s stress-response system (the HPA axis), making it harder to calm your nervous system and increasing your sensitivity to anxiety.
Learn more about BEAM Minerals (Use code Forever for 20% OFF)
Learn more about BEAM Minerals (Use code Forever for 20% OFF)
