Cell Salts for Digestion Part III: Using cell salts to support nutrient absorption

 Every person and constitution is different and you should always consult with your health care practitioner about your health complaints and when starting a new regimen. This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

For many people with digestive problems, adequate nutrient absorption is a top concern. Proper absorption is often compromised when there is inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Cell salts have a long history of being used to support nutrient absorption, especially in those with sensitive constitutions or digestive issues. Since they're absorbed through the mouth, not the stomach, they can be easier to process for those with sensitive constitutions or digestive concerns.

Table of common minerals and associated cell salts

Consider taking 1-3 times per day and see if it makes a difference for you and your nutrient absorption.

The rest of the article discusses the functions of each mineral in the body. 

Calcium

Calcium is one of the major minerals in the body and almost every cell uses calcium in some way. It helps muscles relax and contract. It's a key mineral for health cell function, and the body tightly regulates its levels. 

Calcium is a cellular cement for bones and contributes to healthy blood clotting. A decrease in calcium can lead to muscle cramps. As well, muscle twitches are due to insufficient calcium that helps with normal impulses (the messages between nerve fibers).⁠ ⁠

As we age we absorb less and less calcium from our diet and thus require more from our stores in our bones. Certain medicines, like antacids, also decrease calcium absorption⁠ and therefore more has to come from our bone stores. Too much calcium depletion in bones leads to osteoporosis and osteopenia.⁠ ⁠

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral that we often hear about due to its importance in maintaining the right levels in our body. It's typically checked during blood tests to make sure we're not anemic. While it's a trace mineral, it plays a crucial role in our health.

The body uses iron to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen to our tissues. It also helps keep hair, skin and nails healthy, regulates body temperature, and plays a key role in the digestive and immune systems.⁠ ⁠

The body uses iron in gene regulation, detoxification, DNA production, energy production, and fighting free radicals that can cause aging and disease.⁠

Magnesium

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and is involved in over 300 biochemical processes as well as over 600 chemical reactions. The majority of it is found in bone and the rest in muscles, soft tissues and fluids, including blood⁠. It's in every cell; your cells can't function without it.⁠ ⁠

Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm.⁠

You may have heard of people using magnesium to boost exercise performance, to recover from intense exercise, or to help with restless leg symptoms at night. But did you know it also plays a critical role in brain function and mood? It does it all: energy production, oxidizing nutrients with enzymes, and glycolysis (the breakdown of glucose). It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. You can see why it is important to have enough of this mineral and have it functioning properly in the body.⁠

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is one of the major minerals in the body making up 1-1.4% of fat free mass and found in every cell in the body. It is a major component of bones and teeth as well as genetic material (DNA & RNA). In cell salts, it is found in its phosphate format.

The two main roles of phosphorus are: 1) assisting calcium in the formation of healthy, strong teeth and bones, and 2) maintaining the pH balance in the blood and the fluid between cells. It helps nerves and muscles do their job, and it is instrumental in the processes that turns fat, sugar and protein into usable cellular energy—ATP. ATP is the source of energy used and stored in cells.

Fortunately, diet provides a lot of phosphorus and tends to be available in excess. The small intestine absorbs it, the bone and teeth exchange it, and the kidneys eliminate the excess.

People with chronic kidney disease have difficulty eliminating enough phosphorus, which can negatively impact calcium levels. Additionally, long-term antacid usage can negatively affect the body's ability to metabolize phosphorus.

Potassium

Potassium is necessary for normal cell function, playing a key role in both cellular and electrical activity. As one of the body's main electrolytes (along with sodium and chloride), it carries a tiny electrical charge which is why its symbol is K+. On a side note, in homeopathy all remedies made with potassium have ‘Kali’ in their name.⁠ ⁠

It regulates the heartbeat, ensures proper function of the muscles and nerves, and is vital for synthesizing protein and metabolizing carbohydrates. It is the primary positive ion (cation) found within the cells, where 98 percent of the 120 grams of potassium contained in the body is found.⁠ ⁠

Most potassium is stored inside the cells (intracellular), and magnesium plays a key role in helping to keep it there. The balance between sodium and potassium is as carefully regulated as the balance between calcium and phosphorus or calcium and magnesium.

Silica

Silica is a major (naturally occurring) trace element in the human body derived predominantly from diet. The intake and metabolism of which has only recently been determined. It provides strength and flexibility to connective tissue — cartilage, tendons, skin, bone, teeth, hair, and blood vessels, and it is essential in the formation of collagens. Silica aids in the repair and maintenance of vital lung tissues while defending them from pollution and assists in skin regeneration.⁠ ⁠

The main route of entry of silicon in to the body is from the gastrointestinal tract. However, the gastrointestinal absorption, metabolism and excretion of silicon is still poorly understood.⁠ ⁠

There are many forms of silica and a lot of them are not water soluble. Orthosilicic acid is the form of silica predominantly absorbed by humans and is found in numerous tissues including bone, tendons, aorta, liver and kidney.⁠ It is thought that since Silica has been shown to transfer calcium and other essential micronutrients necessary for proper bone formation, and bones need it to calcify, silica may play a role in stopping osteoporosis.⁠ ⁠

Interestingly, although science knows silica plays an integral role in collagen and bone formation, it is not clear how it all fits together with cell biology. It's definitely not as clear as the processes for calcium, potassium or magnesium. Silica is one of the minerals that  decrease as we age. Luckily, only a very small amount is needed to stay healthy.⁠ 

Sodium

Sodium is one of the body's electrolytes (minerals that the body needs in relatively large amounts). It helps maintain the body's water balance along with chloride and potassium. Additionally, it contributes to proper muscle contraction and nerve impulse conduction.

A majority of sodium in the body is found in the blood and the fluid around cells and therefore plays a major role in maintaining blood pressure. The body gets sodium through food and drink and loses it primarily through sweat and urine. The kidneys play a key role in sodium balance.⁠ ⁠

As people age, the body becomes less efficient at maintaining fluid and sodium balance. This can result from changes associated with aging, such as reduced thirst, decreased kidney function, and lower overall fluid levels. Physical or cognitive issues like immobility or dementia, as well as certain medications, can also contribute. Additionally, older adults may experience fluid buildup due to conditions like heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or the use of diuretics (water pills).⁠ ⁠

Read more about using cell salts for digestion:

Cell Salts for Digestion Part I: Simple protocols to improve digestion

Cell Salts for Digestion Part II: Top gastric indications for each cell salt