Butterbur: Complete Mineral Profile

Butterbur ‐ Mineral Information

Introduction

Butterbur is a perennial plant found mainly in wet, acid soils of Europe and Asia. It has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy to treat various illnesses such as asthma, migraines, colic, ulcers, and more recently allergies. Further examination of this plant has revealed that it contains significant amounts of several minerals essential for normal human physiological functions. This paper examines the types of minerals present in Butterbur and their potential health benefits.

Types of Minerals Found in Butterbur

The major food components in Butterbur consist of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals; among which the minerals are especially notable. Studies have shown that Butterbur is particularly rich in potassium, followed by calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, cobalt, and chromium. Together these mineral components account for 11-19% of the total dry weight of Butterbur - with potassium being the most abundant at 3%. In addition, recent studies have also identified trace amounts of boron and nickel in Butterbur leaves and roots.

Potassium

Among all the minerals found in Butterbur, potassium is the highest constituent at 3%. Potassium helps regulate the body’s fluid balance, pH levels, nerve conduction, and muscle contractions. Deficiency in potassium can impair physical functioning, impede normal brain function, increase blood pressure, and may even cause heart disease if left untreated. Eating butterbur supplies adequate dietary intake of this essential mineral and is necessary for human nutrition.

Calcium

Calcium is commonly considered as a macro nutrient as it constitutes about 1-2% of the active dry weight of Butterbur plants. One hundred grams of Butterbur leaves contains about 40mg of calcium, which is equivalent to 4% of the daily recommended value for adults. Given its significant presence, calcium from eating butterbur could potentially contribute to bone and teeth health. It is noteworthy though that our bodies only absorb 30-40% of calcium consumed; thus making other sources of calcium such as dairy products or fortified foods essential.

Magnesium

The concentration of magnesium in Butterbur ranges between 0.7-1%, generally higher than other wild edible herbs, indicating its great nutritional potential as a source of this essential mineral. Magnesium plays an important role in energy production, enzyme activation, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and neuromuscular transmission and therefore an inadequate supply of this beneficial element may lead to various neurologic symptoms. As such, obtaining enough magnasium through consuming Butterbur is important for overall good health.

Sodium

Sodium is another one of the key minerals found in Butterbur. An average serving (around 100 g) provides around 220 mg of sodium, constituting 9% of the daily recommended value. Although excessive consumption of sodium leads to conditions like hypertension and cardiavascular diseases, moderate supplementation of this mineral is still needed since it helps mobilize small molecules including electrolytes within cells, maintains normal pulse rate and circualtion, stimulates enzymes, and regulates water balance.

Zinc

Zincis one of the micronutrients found in Butterbur and makes up approximately 0.3-0.4% of the plant's dry weight. Consumption of Butterbur comprised of both the leaves and rhizomes provide sufficient levels of zinc for humans, contributing to about 15% of the daily requested Value (DV). Zinc participates in many biochemical reactions such as cell division, glycolysis, nucleic acid metabolism and plays roles in WBC formation and immune system regulation as well. Additionally, it functions as an antioxidant fighting off free radicals which could otherwise damage healthy cells. Obtaining sufficient amount of zinc from Butterbur eliminates the need for taking supplements and allows people to meet their required dietary requirements naturally.

Iron

Iron is one of the parent elements present in Butterbur and roughly accounts for 0.2%-0.5% of the number of parts. Its primary purpose is responsible for forming hemoglobin and myoglobin which affect oxygen carrying capacity of red cells and muscles respectively. Having additional stores of iron obtained from Butterbur could help improve lack of red blood cells' ability to transport other minerals and vitamins throughout the body.

Manganese

Manganese is known to be an important component in building tissues and maintaining nerves. Interestingly, Butterbur harbors relatively high quantities of this micro-mineral when compared to similar wild edibles such as dandelion. By ingesting the oils extracted from boiled Butterbur in combination with those gathered from certain species of cooked onions, you are able to gain 10% – 20% of your DV for manganese. While no disease typically results from consuming too little manganese, ensuring proper dosage is important for the nutrient to effectively perform its role in metabolic reactions.

Copper Copper is yet another metal found in Butterbur. Generally speaking, 0.04%-0.13% of Butterbur comprises of copper. The mainbenefit of having compound containingcu on handwould be to aidthe formation of enzymes, haemoglobin andRNA polymerase which promotesoverallhematologicalfunctioning. With regards to deficiency, research suggestsa linkbetween low levelsof copper and osteoporoisthough itscausal relationship remains unknown to date.

Selenium

Selenium is a mildly toxic microelement but nevertheless indispensibletrace mineral found in Butterbur. Even with its tiny presence of just 0.02%-0.05% in the plant, selenium still holds immense benefitsto provisionof antioxidativepropertiesamongother things.Firstly,this micromineral assistscuperoxide dismutase(Cu/Zn SOD),gluthations peroxidaseenzymeandthesynthesis of iodothyronine hormones.Additionally,itprevietsdamagesbyfighting against cellular damages caused byfree radicles brought upon by oxidative stress.

Cobalt

Cobalt, similar to nickel is a metallic element belonging to Ternary family of transition metals. Like tested commonwildedible plants,Butterbur exhibitslowprecimoncesof cobaltwithtotal contentmeasuring underthan 0.003%.While itisstillinsignificatindailyintakeandabsorptionrequirements,itsinfluenceremainsundoubtedwhendiscussingproteinmetabolism,ERY production,maintainingred bloodcells volume,tomentionjustafew.

Nickel

Lastly, nickel is one of thenumerous elementspresent inButterbur.Itsconcentration liescloseto0.03%,borderingtoalmostnegligiblequantitieswhencompared toothermacroandmicronutrient constituents.Nevertheless,nickelperformsa crucialroleinactivingeveralchemical reactionsthroughout thehumanphysiology–namelyP450enzymesysteminvolveddirectlyin detoxificationandsynthesis ofcholesterol.Apart formthesebiofactors,extensivesurveyshavebelievednickeltobeinvolved insome degree intheprocessof diabetesmitigation–thoughamoredirectcorrelationisspeculativeat best.

Conclusion

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