Health Benefits and Harms of Natural Minerals, Their Importance in Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Minerals and clays have an important place in the life of all living things and human beings. In parallel with the development of technology and modern life, mineral production and consumption are increasing day by day, and while benefiting from its blessings, it is also exposed to many harmful effects. At the same time, the use of minerals in pharmacy and in the diagnosis and treatment of some diseases is gradually increasing, especially studies on the causes of cancer, prevention and treatment of cancer have begun. In this review, first of all, the importance of minerals in human and living life, general information about beneficial minerals and harmful minerals are given. Then, the potential of boron and kaolin minerals in cancer prevention and treatment is mentioned. The potential applications of kaolinite group minerals (kaolinite, stalagmite, nacrite and halloysite) in cancer diagnosis and follow-up, cancer treatment, prevention of metastasis and relief of cancer pain are mentioned. Montmorillonite is a useful clay mineral in a variety of pharmaceutical applications. It has been determined in research that this clay contributes to the improvement and / or modification of drug delivery systems due to its properties such as swelling and adsorption. It is stated that it forms composites with various polymers such as montmorillonite, chitosan, alginate and polyacrylic acid, thus changing the properties, release patterns and mechanical properties of polymers. Research and development studies should be conducted on the effect of montmorillonite clay mineral, which has a very high cation exchange capacity and swelling capacity, in preventing the spread of cancer cells.