Trace minerals in nutrition

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Trace minerals in nutrition, by acting synergically, help in the maintenance of dynamic equilibrium of our health by altering the physiological variables.

What are trace minerals?

We are aware of essential elements like calcium and sodium required in nutrition in greater quantities for our body's health and maintenance.

But there are a number of essential elements required by our body in very minute doses for its health function, and these elements are categorized as trace minerals.

Like macro-elements, these minerals are also equally important in nutrition for the proper functioning of our body and have various functions in osmoregulation, mineralization of bones and excretion.

Nutrition benefits of trace minerals for health

The presence of these elements in our nutrition is very important for the cellular function.

They are required in minute quantities and excess of them can create health problems and toxicity.

These elements boost our immune system and make it strong.

Magnesium is important for the proper absorption of calcium by our body.

Minerals like selenium are potent antioxidants getting rid off the free radicals.

Along with calcium, boron, nickel, selenium, vanadium, manganese and zinc are required for the bone mineralization and growth.

Many micro-elements stimulate the endocrine system and help in the proper function of our glands.

Iodine is very important as it is required for functioning of the thyroid gland.

Trace minerals in nutrition

Our food, especially food from plant origin, provides us, minerals requirement for our health.

However our present farming practices are depleting the soil of these elements and there is a great drop in their availability from soil.

Essential element nutrition deficiencies have become widespread, especially in cereal producing soils.

This situation in turn has lead to reduction in the minerals content of the produce.

Use of micronutrient fertilizers, organic manure, change of crops and cropping patterns only can invigorate the soil; then only we can get back to optimum levels of  minerals from our food for our health.

Plant food sources of marine environment are relatively unaffected by human activity and are rich sources of these elements.

In trace minerals deficiency related health disorders, specific supplements are given to correct the deficiency.

Trace minerals requirements for our health

Minerals	RDA/AI	Deficiency	Excess
Cobalt	-	B12 deficiency	cobalt poisoning
Copper	900 µg	copper deficiency	copper toxicity
Chromium	-	chromium deficiency	chromium poisoning
Fluoride	-	dental cavities	fluoride poisoning
Iodine	150 µg	iodine deficiency	-
Iron	8 mg	anaemia	iron overload disorder
Molybdenum	45 µg	molybdenum deficiency	-
Manganese	2.3 mg	manganese deficiency	manganism
Nickel	-	enzyme disorder	nickel poisoning
Selenium	55 µg	selenium deficiency	selenosis
Zinc	11 mg	zinc deficiency	-
Vanadium	-	vanadium deficiency	vanadium toxicity
Boron	2.1 mg	boron deficiency	boron toxicity

A balanced nutrition comprising lots of vegetables and fruits gives required trace minerals for our health.

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Minerals in nutrition

Minerals are very important constituents of human body.
In human nutrition minerals have a very big part to play in health care but are least talked about. Our food contains most of the minerals. Minerals are required for the formation of strong bones and teeth,osmoregulation of the cells and energy production. The essential minerals are:

• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sulphur
• Iron

The minerals are available in vegetables, fish, meat, fruits and cereals. We will discuss the importance of individual minerals in health care separately.

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Zinc

Zinc is a very important trace mineral essential for almost all the biological activities of human body.

 Half of the mineral in the human body is found in muscles.
The rest is distributed through out the body.
It functions as co factor in more than hundred enzymes in our body.
This mineral is essential in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Protein synthesis process depends on zinc.
This mineral is essential for vitamin A metabolism.
Zinc has a big role to play in the healing of internal and external wounds.
Its supplementation in the post operative care is being emphasized now.
It maintains the nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
Prostaglandin production and thyroid function depend on the availability of this mineral.
Thymus hormone contains this trace nutrient.
This hormone helps in the production and maturation of lymphocytes required for fighting infection.
Zinc has a profound effect on the reproductive system of men, organizing the hormone activity.
This mineral boosts the nervous system and the brain function, increasing memory and learning skills.
Zinc enhances the sensory system, improving appetite by improving the senses of smell, and taste.
Its deficiency affects almost all the systems in the body.
The effect may be devastating.
Zinc is available in many natural foods sources, like, whole grains, yeast, egg, nuts, seeds sea food, meat and oysters.
it can be supplemented in chronic deficiencies following certain aspects of its absorption.
Zinc should not be taken along with calcium, magnesium and iron as these affect one another’s absorption.
Milk and food very rich in proteins are found to affect zinc absorption.
Supplement must be split into smaller doses for better absorption.
Excess of zinc can be toxic, and cholesterol management may be affected along with gastrointestinal disturbances.

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