The Mineral Wheel

The mineral wheel illustrates how different minerals in your body interact with one another-either through mineral antagonism, where one mineral interferes with the absorption, use, or balance of another, or through mineral synergy, where two or more minerals work together to enhance absorption, support vital functions, or balance each other’s effects.

Some important pairs to know:

-Calcium and magnesium balance each other out, but too much of one can “push down” the other

-Zinc and copper compete; high zinc lowers coppe,r and vice versa

-Iron and manganese compete for absorption

-Sodium and potassium affect each other; too much salt can lower potassium

To read the wheel: If mineral A points to mineral B, it means that a lack of A or an interference with its metabolism (problem with how your body processes or body uses that mineral) can lead to problems with B.