{"id":2017,"date":"2020-01-25T16:06:19","date_gmt":"2020-01-25T10:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/?p=2017"},"modified":"2022-05-19T05:59:45","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T05:59:45","slug":"role-of-trace-minerals-in-human-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/role-of-trace-minerals-in-human-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Role of Trace Minerals in Human Body"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Trace minerals are minerals that are required in a minute quantity but <strong>play a vital role in the growth, development, and function of the body<\/strong>. &nbsp;Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Selenium (Se), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Iodine (I), Manganese (Mn), Fluorine (F), Boron (B), and Molybdenum (Mo) [1] are the trace mineral which play multiple vital roles in the human body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Role of Trace Minerals? <\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trace minerals are utilized by the body in small quantities, but they play an essential role in biological activities. They primarily act as <strong>catalysts for enzyme actions<\/strong> while some metallic ions <strong>take part in oxidation-reduction reactions involved in energy metabolism<\/strong> [2]. Some trace minerals also play important roles in <strong>body structure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wondering how do these trace minerals help our body? Dive right in to know the key roles these minerals play &#8211;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>1. Zinc (Zn)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zn is an essential trace element that functions as a\ncofactor for certain enzymes involved in metabolism and cell growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>As a\ncomponent of nearly 300 specific enzymes, Zn is involved in the <strong>metabolism\nof proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and energy production<\/strong>. <\/li><li>It is also\nan essential trace element for a <strong>healthy immune system<\/strong> and plays an\nimportant role in wound healing. <\/li><li>Zinc is also\nrequired for <strong>insulin activity<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA:<\/strong> <strong>12 mg\/day<\/strong>\nfor men and <strong>10 mg\/day<\/strong> for women, <strong>12 mg\/day<\/strong> for pregnant and\nlactating women.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Zn deficiency may occur due to insufficient dietary intake. Zn deficiency may cause impaired immune function, hair loss, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, and eye and skin lesions. Delayed healing of wounds, taste abnormalities and mental lethargy can also occur [1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources:<\/strong> Wheat, brown rice, soybeans, peanuts, cashews, meat, eggs, milk, yogurt, walnut, and almonds are good sources of Zinc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>2. Copper (Cu)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Copper is the 3rd most abundant trace element with only 75\u2013100\u2009mg of the total amount in the human body [3]. Copper is present in almost every tissue of the body and is stored chiefly in the liver along with the brain, heart, kidney, and muscles. A significant number of metabolic enzymes require Copper to function properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Copper containing enzyme cytochrome c oxidase plays\na vital role in <strong>energy production<\/strong> during aerobic respiration. <\/li><li>It is also a component of lysyl oxidase which takes\npart in the <strong>synthesis of collagen and elastin<\/strong>. Therefore, Copper is essential\nfor maintaining the strength of the skin, blood vessels, and epithelial and\nconnective tissue throughout the body. <\/li><li>Copper-containing enzyme tyrosinase <strong>converts\ntyrosine to melanin<\/strong> which gives color to the skin.<\/li><li>Copper is also required to <strong>produce the thyroid\nhormone thyroxine<\/strong>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA: <\/strong>1.7 mg\/day<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>The symptoms of Copper deficiency are hypopigmentation of hair and skin, abnormal bone formation with skeletal fragility and osteoporosis, lowered immunity, and vascular aberrations [4]. <br>Molybdenum has an antagonistic effect against Copper; thus, high concentrations of Molybdenum can reduce Copper absorption and subsequently lead to Copper deficiency [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources: <\/strong>Barley, brown rice, wheat bread, beans, cashew, almond, potatoes, organ meats (kidney, liver), dark leafy greens vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>3. Manganese (Mn)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Manganese is a trace mineral that is present in tiny\namounts and the average human body contains about 12 mg of Manganese. About 43%\nof it is found in the skeletal system, with the rest occurring in soft tissues\nincluding the liver, pancreas, kidneys, brain, and central nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Manganese helps the body to <strong>form connective tissue, bones, blood-clotting factors, and sex hormones<\/strong>. <\/li><li>It plays a role in <strong>fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation<\/strong>. <\/li><li>Manganese is also necessary for <strong>normal brain and nerve function<\/strong>. It is a component of the antioxidant SOD (superoxide dismutase), which helps fight free radicals. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA: <\/strong>4 mg\/day<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Deficiency of Mn in the body may cause hypercholesterolemia, impaired glucose tolerance, changes in hair color, skeletal abnormalities, infertility, deafness, and impaired synthesis of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources: <\/strong>Whole grains such as brown rice, almond, walnuts, legumes, pineapples, tea, leafy greens vegetables, sweet potatoes, and beets<sup>1<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>4. Selenium <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Selenium (Se) is an essential trace\nelement. The Selenium content in the human\nbody is about 13-20 mg. Selenium\ncontaining protein also known as seleno-protein carries out various functions\nin normal health and metabolism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Glutathione peroxidase (G-Px), a <strong>selenoprotein<\/strong>, is an antioxidant that protects the body from the damaging effect of free radicals. Its low levels in the human body have been linked to increased risk of various diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.<\/li><li>Selenium is important for a <strong>healthy immune system<\/strong>, where it enhances T-lymphocyte immune responses.<\/li><li>Studied have also established a relationship between low blood levels of Selenium and increased cardiovascular disease mortality [6].<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA<\/strong>: 40 mcg\/day<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Selenium deficiency is rare in healthy humans. Selenium deficiency may cause myalgia and whitening of the nail bed.<br>Care must be taken in consuming large amounts of Selenium as it is toxic if taken in excess amounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources: <\/strong>Grains, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are rich sources of Selenium<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>5. Chromium <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chromium is an\nessential trace element that can improve insulin sensitivity and enhance\nprotein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The biological function of Chromium is mainly\nassociated with <strong>insulin function<\/strong>. Inorganic Chromium compounds display\nlittle or no insulin potentiating activity but upon conversion to organic Chromium\ncomplexes acquire significant insulin potentiating activity. Chromium\npicolinate is one such example of organic Chromium.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA: <\/strong>50 mcg\/day<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Reports of actual Chromium deficiency in humans are rare. Chromium deficiency can cause a diabetic-like state due to impaired body\u2019s ability to use glucose. Weakness and fatigue may occur in Chromium deficiency due to the inability of the body to utilize glucose for energy[7]. Diabetics, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially at risk of Chromium deficiency leading to impaired insulin function that may cause diabetes and heart diseases [8],[9],[10].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources: <\/strong>Broccoli, potatoes, green beans, beef, poultry, fruits including apples and bananas are good sources of Chromium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"695\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-1-695x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-1-695x1024.jpg 695w, https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-1-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-1.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>6. Molybdenum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Molybdenum is a component of various enzymes that\ninfluences protein synthesis and growth of the body. Molybdenum is important for the functioning of enzymes\ninvolved in the metabolization of drugs and toxins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Molybdenum acts as cofactor for 4 key enzymes &#8211; sulfite oxidase that converts sulfite to sulfate and <strong>prevents large buildup of sulfites in the body<\/strong>, aldehyde oxidase which <strong>breaks down the toxic aldehydes<\/strong>, xanthine oxidase that converts xanthine to uric acid <strong>breaking down unused DNA <\/strong>and Mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC) which is thought to <strong>remove toxic byproducts<\/strong> [11].<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA: <\/strong>45 mcg\/day<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Molybdenum deficiency is rare in a healthy human body as Molybdenum is amply available in common food sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources<\/strong>:&nbsp; Black-eyed peas, beef liver, yogurt, milk, banana, chicken, egg, and spinach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>7. Cobalt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The adult human body contains\napproximately 1 mg of Cobalt, 85% of which is in the form of Vitamin B12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Cobalt is the <strong>central part of Vitamin B12 chemical\nstructure<\/strong> which plays a critical role in the formation of erythrocytes (red\nblood cells). Apart from red blood cell production, Vitamin B12 also plays a\nsignificant role in nerve repair and regeneration. <\/li><li>Cobalt also plays an integral role in <strong>generating\nneurotransmitters<\/strong>, which are requisite for the proper operation of an\norganism. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>The deficiency of Cobalt is strongly related to disturbances in Vitamin B12 synthesis resulting in anemia and peripheral neuropathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources<\/strong>: Green leafy vegetables, dairy products, organ meat, egg, milk, and fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>8. Fluorine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fluorine makes a negligible part of body weight and\nenters the system principally through drinking water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Fluorine is\npresent as fluorapatite crystals in the <strong>matrix of bone and teeth<\/strong>.<\/li><li>It is also\nbelieved that fluoride, in combination with calcium, <strong>improves bone formation<\/strong>\nby stimulating osteoblastic (bone-forming cell) activity.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Low levels of fluoride in drinking water have been associated with dental decay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources:<\/strong> Drinking water either fluoridated or naturally containing fluoride [12]. Dietary sources of Fluorine include spinach, grapes, potato, and raisins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>9. Boron<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boron plays\nimportant roles in metabolism that render it necessary for human health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Boron is essential for the <strong>growth and maintenance of bone<\/strong>.<\/li><li>It raises the levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase that <strong>protects from the damaging effect of free radicals<\/strong>.<\/li><li>It <strong>improves wound healing<\/strong> by stimulating specific enzymes like elastase, collagenase, and alkaline phosphatase that play a critical role in wound healing. <\/li><li>Boron is also found to <strong>improve the brain\u2019s electrical activity<\/strong> and cognitive function in the elders [13].<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Studies suggest a Boron deficiency can increase the risk of arthritis development [14].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources: <\/strong>Fresh vegetables and fruits, avocado, apples, coffee, nuts, beans, peas are commonly found sources of Boron. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong>10. Iodine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iodine is a\nvital trace element required at all stages of life especially during\ndevelopmental years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Function<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Iodine is an <strong>essential component of thyroid\nhormones<\/strong>, that is, tetraiodothyronine (T4 or thyroxine) and\ntriiodothyronine (T3) which play an important role in <strong>maintaining metabolic\nprocesses and general growth and development of the body<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RDA: 90 mcg\/day<\/strong> for children (1 \u2013 5y), <strong>120 mcg\/day<\/strong> for children (6-12), <strong>150 mcg\/day<\/strong> for adolescents and adults, <strong>250 mcg\/day<\/strong> for pregnant and lactating women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Deficiency<\/strong><br>Dietary deficiency of Iodine is associated with enlargement of the thyroid gland which is also known as goiter. The most commonly reported symptoms of Iodine deficiency are extreme fatigue, irritability, mental disturbances, weight gain, facial puffiness, constipation, and lethargy [15], [16].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Food Sources:<\/strong> Iodized salt, bread, dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"693\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-2-693x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-2-693x1024.jpg 693w, https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-2-203x300.jpg 203w, https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-2.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>#ShareIfYourCare #Republic of Deficiency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><br>[1] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4940574\/&nbsp; <br>[2] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK218751\/<br>[3] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4940574\/<br>[4] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4940574\/<br>[5] https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Molybdenum-HealthProfessional\/&nbsp; <br>[6] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482260\/&nbsp; <br>[7] https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Chromium-HealthProfessional\/#h5<br>[8] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/7010598<br>[9] https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/Chromium-deficiency<br>[10] https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/Chromium-picolinate<br>[11] https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full\/10.1177\/2156587211406732<br>[12] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4940574\/<br>[13] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4712861\/<br>[14] https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science\/Boron-deficiency<br>[15] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4940574\/<br>[16] https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK218751\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trace minerals are minerals that are required in a minute quantity but play a vital role in the growth, development, and function of the body. &nbsp;Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Selenium (Se), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Iodine (I), Manganese (Mn), Fluorine (F), Boron (B), and Molybdenum (Mo) [1] are the trace mineral which play multiple vital [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[12,15,1,25],"tags":[61,67,69,71,88,105,111,114,166,179,185,208],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-7.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mineral-7.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/author\/admin\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2017"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2017"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3727,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2017\/revisions\/3727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.truebasics.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}