Some minerals are needed by your nervous system in order for it to function properly. A deficiency in minerals that support nerve function can lead to potentially severe neurological side effects and disorders. As with all nutritional supplements, talk with your doctor or a health care professional before ingesting any mineral nutrient for nerve function.
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and is responsible for many different functions, including nerve function and proper nerve transmission. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, calcium is involved in voltage-dependent channels located inside the cell membranes of nerve and muscle cells and is responsible for the transmission of electrical signals within those cells. In skeletal muscle, calcium is required for muscle contraction. When your muscles are stimulated by an electrical current, the nerve endings along your muscle cells release calcium, which triggers a chain of reactions that results in your muscle contracting.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is present in every cell in your body, and is especially concentrated in your brain. Phosphorus helps maintain brain function and central nervous system health by helping brain and nerve cells communicate with one another and to activate receptor sites that stimulate neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, regulate many body functions, including emotions, energy metabolism, and mood. Low levels of phosphorus in the brain have been linked to anxiety disorders and muscle tremors.
Potassium and Sodium
Potassium and sodium are an electrolytes, meaning they contain free ions that give them the ability to conduct electricity. The potassium-sodium balance, or electrolyte balance, in your body is related to nerve conduction velocity and the ability of your nervous system to activate target cells rapidly. Potassium is primarily located inside of your body's cells while calcium is located outside. This creates a membrane potential, or a balance, between the two minerals, which is essential for nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and heart function.
Copper
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a copper deficiency adversely affects brain function. Copper interacts with enzymes in your brain that regulate proper brain function and coordination between various cells throughout your central nervous system. Copper plays a significant role in the electron transport chain, which is one of the major energy producing pathways in your body. A copper deficiency inhibits energy production and can cause neurological symptoms, such as irregular muscle coordination, peripheral neuropathy, and diseases of the spinal cord.
References
- "Nutrition for Health, Fitness, and Sport"; Melvin H. Williams; 2002
- Linus Pauling Institute; Calcium; Jane Higdon; 2003
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
- Linus Pauling Institute; Potassium; Jane Higdon; 2004
- USDA; Metals Essential to the Brain's Hardwiring; R.M. Bliss
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