Your body needs minerals in two broad groups. Major minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, are needed in relatively large amounts. Trace minerals are needed in tiny amounts but are just as essential. Fulvic acid is often mentioned alongside them. Here's what both terms mean.
What are trace minerals?
Trace minerals are elements your body needs in milligram or microgram amounts each day. The essential ones include:
- Iron: part of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in your blood.
- Zinc: involved in immune function, wound healing and hundreds of enzymes.
- Copper: helps form red blood cells and supports iron use.
- Selenium: part of antioxidant enzymes and important for thyroid function.
- Iodine: needed to make thyroid hormones.
- Manganese, chromium and molybdenum: each supports specific enzymes and normal metabolism.
Most people get trace minerals from a varied diet of whole foods. Intake can fall short with restrictive diets, very small meals, heavy processing of foods, or increased needs (for example, iron during pregnancy or heavy periods).
What is fulvic acid?
Fulvic acid is a natural compound formed over very long periods as plant matter breaks down. It is part of a family called humic substances, found in soil, peat, and ancient mineral-rich deposits of decomposed plant material sometimes called humate or shale. Fulvic acid has a small molecular size and dissolves in water, and in nature it binds with minerals, which is why fulvic extracts naturally contain a broad mix of trace elements.
What does the science say?
Fulvic acid has been used in traditional preparations such as shilajit for centuries, and it is an active area of laboratory research, particularly around its antioxidant properties and how it interacts with minerals. Human clinical research is still limited, so be cautious of any product that promises dramatic results. The more solid ground is the trace minerals themselves, which are well established as essential nutrients.
How to fit trace minerals into your routine
- Start with food. Leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, seafood and eggs are all good mineral sources.
- Drink enough water. A liquid mineral supplement is usually added to water or juice.
- Mind your iron. Iron is beneficial when you need it but can be harmful in excess. Check your total iron intake from all supplements, and keep iron-containing products away from children.
- Be consistent. Minerals are part of daily nutrition, so a daily routine works better than occasional use.
About CLE Mineral Drops. CLE Mineral Drops is a concentrated liquid fulvic mineral supplement from a prehistoric mineral source, with 70+ naturally occurring trace minerals. Each 10-drop serving (0.5 mL) provides 8 mg of iron, 33% of the Daily Value, and each bottle holds 60 servings. Add the drops to water or juice once a day.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medication or have a medical condition. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6; keep out of reach of children.