A Complete Guide to Fulvic Minerals, Benefits, and Uses
Fulvic minerals have been used for millennia to aid a variety of ailments and promote wellness. For thousands of years, traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, used fulvic minerals from the Himalayas for gut health, energy, stamina, and more.
Now scientists are recognizing the benefits of this ancient remedy. Recent research points to benefits including fulvic acid’s potential for supporting hormone health, promoting healthy cholesterol levels, bolstering muscle strength, as well as supporting the immune system.
There’s another reason why fulvic minerals are gaining attention: detoxification. Today, we live in an environment that is riddled with toxins in the air, food, water, and consumer products we use. To counteract the negative side effects of environmental toxicants, many people are turning to natural remedies to help support detoxification.
While natural zeolite is the most effective way to detoxify the body of heavy metals and other toxins, fulvic minerals are emerging as a powerful way to aid detoxification in the body, while providing a range of nutrients that benefit health and well-being.
In this guide, we will explore all you need to know about fulvic acid benefits.
What are Fulvic Minerals?
Fulvic minerals are complex compounds derived from humic matter, which forms organically from the natural breakdown of plant materials. Fulvic acid is essential for the growth and nutrition of plants, helping to create higher yields and resistance to harsh conditions.
These same substances are essential for humans, helping us on a cellular level to attain whole-body wellness. The composition of fulvic acid includes (1):
- Amino Acids
- Antioxidants
- Macro Minerals
- Nucleic Acids
- Peptides
- Trace Minerals
- Vitamins
Fulvic minerals offer a broad range of bioavailable ionic trace minerals, which are often missing from food today. When introduced into the body, fulvic minerals go to work dissolving nutrients into their simplest form, ready to be absorbed and used by the body.
Due to fulvic acid having ionic minerals, they can easily pass through the cell membrane, where they can provide vital nutrients that cells need to function. This same mechanism allows toxins to pass through the cells to leave the body via the excretory system.
Where do Fulvic Minerals Come From?
Humic deposits containing fulvic minerals are found in peat bogs, marine sediments, and even in coal (lignite). This humic matter is created by plants and organic matter over millions of years through micro-organisms and Earth’s geological events.
These fulvic minerals are deposited in the soil, and plants grown in healthy soil typically have some fulvic acid within them, especially root vegetables such as beetroot, radish, and parsnip.
Another source of fulvic minerals is Shilajit, which is used in Ayurveda medicine and contains both fulvic and humic minerals. However, tests on Shilajit revealed it can also contain toxic heavy metals (2). Since most benefits of Shilajit are believed to be due to its fulvic minerals, it’s preferable to look for a fulvic mineral supplement instead of Shilajit.
The Detoxification Power of Fulvic Minerals
When fulvic minerals from these humic deposits are consumed by animals or humans, they not only provide a slew of beneficial natural minerals but can also act as a natural detoxifier, with research showing fulvic acid may bind to lead, a toxic heavy metal (3).
Additional research on animals (rats) showed that fulvic minerals can bind to cadmium in the digestive system, preventing the uptake of this toxic heavy metal in the bloodstream (4).
The charged ions in fulvic minerals also have the capacity to bind to harmful chemicals such as the toxic herbicide glyphosate (5). Once fulvic acid binds with toxins in the digestive tract, the problematic chemicals are expelled from the body.
Chemically, humic acid is a mixture of acids that bind with charged ions. This charge also makes these acids powerful antioxidants that can target free radicals, an underlying source of many health issues (1).
Additionally, fulvic acid contains nutrients that are beneficial to our immune system, so when ingested, these compounds support our immune response while simultaneously removing harmful materials.
The Benefits of Fulvic Minerals for Whole Body Wellness
The benefits of fulvic minerals impact our entire body, from fatigue reduction to supporting the health of our gut and immune function. Research shows fulvic acid and trace minerals are essential to our well-being.
- Supports Immune Function
Over 70% of our immune function happens in the gut (6). Fulvic minerals provide essential nutrients to our digestive tract. Fulvic compounds support the health of good microbes, allowing the immune system to function optimally.
- Energy Boost and Fatigue Reduction
There are several minerals in fulvic acid that act as natural electrolytes, helping our bodies activate biological processes that give us sustained energy throughout the day. Fulvic minerals can energize the body on cellular level without the crash from stimulants like caffeine.
- Supports Gut Health
Fulvic acid supports a healthy gut microbiome with minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Together, these minerals help to support digestion and decrease bloat, optimizing our natural digestive tract function.
- Optimizes Cellular Function
Since fulvic minerals can effectively pass through cellular membranes, they can easily facilitate the delivery of nutrients to the body while also removing toxins.
- Fights Free Radicals
Fulvic acid and trace minerals help to neutralize damaging free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that are created in the body due to stress, toxins, processed foods, and even strenuous exercise. Research in animals (fish), showed significantly increased antioxidant activity with the addition of fulvic acid (7).
Ways to Incorporate Fulvic Minerals for Wellness and Detox
Before the development of commercial agriculture and monocropping, nutrient-rich soils produced foods that were naturally full of fulvic minerals. Today, eating certified organic fruits and vegetables can help to ensure you are getting some fulvic minerals in your diet.
Although modern farming practices allow for the mass production of food, they also mean more pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, toxins which are passed onto our food.
Conventional agriculture also means that soils are no longer as rich in humic matter as they once were so it’s become increasingly important to supplement with fulvic acid.
To increase your intake of fulvic minerals, a fulvic acid supplement is generally recommended. Fulvic acid is usually sold in liquid form, which is more bioavailable than a solid form, which must be broken down by the digestive system before absorption can occur. These liquid supplements are dropped into filtered water and consumed before or after a meal.
How to Choose the Best Fulvic Mineral Supplements
One of the first criteria to consider when selecting a fulvic acid supplement is its source. While some fulvic minerals are derived from coal, it’s best to source supplements from plants such as peat bogs for a higher level of purity.
To ensure the product you are purchasing is of a high standard, verify it is tested for heavy metals and other contaminants. This information should be posted on the product website.
Another factor to consider is whether or not the particular fulvic supplement contains added minerals. While fulvic acid includes naturally occurring minerals, added plant-based minerals optimize micronutrient support and cellular health.
Fulvic Minerals+ contains fulvic acid plus an additional trace mineral complex sourced from seaweed that is sustainably harvested from the North Atlantic Ocean. This supplement also includes natural zeolite to provide greater levels of heavy metal detoxification.
The Takeaway
Fulvic acid and fulvic minerals are essential nutrients for humans and animals. This natural compound has been used in traditional medicine systems for centuries. Most recently, fulvic acid has been incorporated into many holistic wellness regimens.
Fulvic minerals offer a variety of natural benefits including heavy metal and chemical detox, immune and gut microbiome support, increased energy, antioxidant support and more. If you are dedicated to living a balanced lifestyle with health and wellness at the center, it may be wise to consider a fulvic acid detox supplement. Fulvic minerals is a nutrient booster that can help aid your body’s natural processes and work to reduce the toxin build up in your body.
