Trace MineralsTrace Minerals

Minerals in the BodyMinerals in the Body

The Trace MineralsThe Trace Minerals

Needed in much smaller amountsNeeded in much smaller amounts Are essentialAre essential Difficult to study due to the trace Difficult to study due to the trace

amounts needed by the bodyamounts needed by the body Food content dependent on soil Food content dependent on soil

contentcontent Animal sources of mineral are Animal sources of mineral are

generally better absorbed.generally better absorbed.

IronIron Found in minute amount in every cellFound in minute amount in every cell 15% is absorbed15% is absorbed Heme ironHeme iron Vs. Vs. Nonheme ironNonheme iron

– 40% of iron in animal flesh is heme 40% of iron in animal flesh is heme ironiron

– Heme iron is better absorbed than Heme iron is better absorbed than nonhemenonheme

Vitamin C enhances absorptionVitamin C enhances absorption

Absorption of IronAbsorption of Iron

Determined by body’s needDetermined by body’s need Acidic environmentAcidic environment Upper small intestine is absorption Upper small intestine is absorption

sitesite Hindered by phytic acid, oxalic acid, Hindered by phytic acid, oxalic acid,

high fiber, high calcium, polyphenolshigh fiber, high calcium, polyphenols Zinc competes with iron for Zinc competes with iron for

absorptionabsorption

Functions of IronFunctions of Iron

HemoglobinHemoglobin in red blood cells in red blood cells– Transports oxygen and carbon dioxideTransports oxygen and carbon dioxide– High turnover, high demand for ironHigh turnover, high demand for iron

MyoglobinMyoglobin in muscle cells in muscle cells– Binds oxygenBinds oxygen

Electron transport chainElectron transport chain Enzyme cofactorEnzyme cofactor Immune functionImmune function Drug-detoxification pathwayDrug-detoxification pathway

Iron-Deficient AnemiaIron-Deficient Anemia Most common form of anemia (30% Most common form of anemia (30%

of world population)of world population) Low levels of hemoglobin and Low levels of hemoglobin and

hematocrit hematocrit Insufficient intake and storageInsufficient intake and storage Reduction in the production of red Reduction in the production of red

blood cells and oxygen capacityblood cells and oxygen capacity Infants, toddlers, chronic blood loss, Infants, toddlers, chronic blood loss,

vegans, runners, and women of vegans, runners, and women of childbearing years are most at riskchildbearing years are most at risk

Paleness, brittle nails, fatigue, Paleness, brittle nails, fatigue, difficulty breathing, poor growthdifficulty breathing, poor growth

Food Sources of IronFood Sources of Iron

Red meatsRed meats Enriched grainsEnriched grains Fortified cerealsFortified cereals Iron skilletIron skillet Milk is a Milk is a poorpoor source source

Iron PyramidIron Pyramid

Nonheme IronNonheme Iron

Not as well absorbedNot as well absorbed Found in animal flesh, eggs, milk, Found in animal flesh, eggs, milk,

vegetables, grains and other vegetables, grains and other plant foodsplant foods

Better absorbed if eaten along Better absorbed if eaten along with sources of heme ironwith sources of heme iron

Iron NeedsIron Needs

RDA is 8 mg/day for adult maleRDA is 8 mg/day for adult male RDA is 18 mg/day for female age RDA is 18 mg/day for female age

11 to 50; 8 mg after 5011 to 50; 8 mg after 50 Assumes that 18% of dietary iron Assumes that 18% of dietary iron

is absorbedis absorbed Average American diet: females Average American diet: females

12 mg/day; males 17 mg/day12 mg/day; males 17 mg/day Average intake exceeds RDA for Average intake exceeds RDA for

men, low for womenmen, low for women

Toxicity of IronToxicity of Iron

Can be serious, especially for Can be serious, especially for childrenchildren

Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, abdominal painabdominal pain

Upper Level is 45 mg/dayUpper Level is 45 mg/day Causes death due to respiratory Causes death due to respiratory

collapse (shock); liver damagecollapse (shock); liver damage Alcohol increases absorption, Alcohol increases absorption,

damages mucosal cellsdamages mucosal cells

HemochromatosisHemochromatosis

Genetic disease (carrier can Genetic disease (carrier can also over absorb)also over absorb)

Iron deposit which can lead Iron deposit which can lead to organ damageto organ damage

May go undetected until 50-May go undetected until 50-60 years of age when organ 60 years of age when organ failsfails

ZincZinc

Essential nutrientEssential nutrient Better absorption from Better absorption from

animal sourceanimal source Deficiencies cause growth Deficiencies cause growth

retardation and poor sexual retardation and poor sexual developmentdevelopment

Absorption of ZincAbsorption of Zinc

Influenced by the foods consumedInfluenced by the foods consumed 40% of zinc from an animal source is 40% of zinc from an animal source is

absorbed if body’s needs are greatabsorbed if body’s needs are great Dependent on body’s needDependent on body’s need Presence of phytic acid decreases Presence of phytic acid decreases

absorptionabsorption Calcium supplement decreases zinc Calcium supplement decreases zinc

absorptionabsorption Competes with copper and iron absorptionCompetes with copper and iron absorption

Functions of ZincFunctions of Zinc

Cofactor to many enzymesCofactor to many enzymes Synthesis of DNA, RNASynthesis of DNA, RNA Protein metabolism, cell membraneProtein metabolism, cell membrane Wound healing, immune function, Wound healing, immune function,

growthgrowth Development of sexual organs and Development of sexual organs and

bonesbones Insulin functionInsulin function Component of superoxide dismutaseComponent of superoxide dismutase

Zinc DeficiencyZinc Deficiency

Growth retardationGrowth retardation Slow sexual maturitySlow sexual maturity Loss of tasteLoss of taste Lethargy, emotional disordersLethargy, emotional disorders Slow wound healingSlow wound healing

Food Sources of ZincFood Sources of Zinc

Animal productsAnimal products ShellfishShellfish LegumesLegumes Not part of the enrichment processNot part of the enrichment process RDA for women is 8 mg/dayRDA for women is 8 mg/day RDA for men is 11 mg/dayRDA for men is 11 mg/day Daily value is 15 mgDaily value is 15 mg Average intake is marginal for women and Average intake is marginal for women and

adequate for menadequate for men

Toxicity of ZincToxicity of Zinc

Upper Level is 40 mg/dayUpper Level is 40 mg/day Inhibits copper absorptionInhibits copper absorption Reduces HDLReduces HDL Increases risk of heart diseaseIncreases risk of heart disease Diarrhea, cramps, Nausea, vomitingDiarrhea, cramps, Nausea, vomiting Depressed immune functionDepressed immune function Do not exceed 100 mg/day without Do not exceed 100 mg/day without

medical supervisionmedical supervision Some take for sore throats, coldsSome take for sore throats, colds

SeleniumSelenium

Readily absorbedReadily absorbed Excreted through the urine and Excreted through the urine and

fecesfeces Co-factor for glutathione peroxidaseCo-factor for glutathione peroxidase Protects the heart and other cells Protects the heart and other cells

from oxidative damagefrom oxidative damage Works together with vitamin EWorks together with vitamin E Cancer preventionCancer prevention

Deficiency of SeleniumDeficiency of Selenium

Muscle painMuscle pain Muscle wastingMuscle wasting CardiomyopathyCardiomyopathy

Food Sources of Food Sources of SeleniumSelenium Fish, meat (organ meat), egg, Fish, meat (organ meat), egg,

milk, shell fishmilk, shell fish Grains, seeds, nuts dependent on Grains, seeds, nuts dependent on

soil contentsoil content RDA for adults is 55 ug/dayRDA for adults is 55 ug/day Average intake exceeds RDAAverage intake exceeds RDA

Toxicity of SeleniumToxicity of Selenium

Upper Level is 400 ug/dayUpper Level is 400 ug/day Garlicky breathGarlicky breath Hair lossHair loss Nausea, vomitingNausea, vomiting WeaknessWeakness RashesRashes Cirrhosis of the liverCirrhosis of the liver

IodineIodine

Found in an ion form, iodideFound in an ion form, iodide Used for thyroid hormone synthesisUsed for thyroid hormone synthesis Regulates metabolic rate, growth, Regulates metabolic rate, growth,

developmentdevelopment Thyroid gland enlarges (Thyroid gland enlarges (goitergoiter) with ) with

low intake of iodidelow intake of iodide CretinismCretinism is the stunting of fetal is the stunting of fetal

growth and mental development as a growth and mental development as a result of low iodine dietresult of low iodine diet

Food Sources of IodineFood Sources of Iodine Iodized salt (1/2 tsp. meets RDA for Iodized salt (1/2 tsp. meets RDA for

iodine)iodine) Saltwater fish, seafood, dairy, grainsSaltwater fish, seafood, dairy, grains Sea salt is a poor source (loss during Sea salt is a poor source (loss during

processing)processing) Plant source dependent on soil contentPlant source dependent on soil content RDA for adult is 150 ug/day (50ug to RDA for adult is 150 ug/day (50ug to

prevent goiter)prevent goiter) Average intake exceeds RDAAverage intake exceeds RDA

Toxicity of IodineToxicity of Iodine

Thyroid hormone synthesis is Thyroid hormone synthesis is inhibitedinhibited

““Toxic goiter” resultsToxic goiter” results Consumption of seaweedConsumption of seaweed Upper Level is 1.1 mg/dayUpper Level is 1.1 mg/day

CopperCopper

Aids in iron metabolismAids in iron metabolism Absorption dependent on Absorption dependent on

body’s needsbody’s needs Absorption decreased with Absorption decreased with

high intakes of vitamin C, high intakes of vitamin C, phytic acid, fiber, zinc, iron, phytic acid, fiber, zinc, iron, certain amino acidscertain amino acids

Functions of CopperFunctions of Copper

Increases iron absorptionIncreases iron absorption Formation of connective Formation of connective

tissuetissue In superoxide dismutaseIn superoxide dismutase Immune system, blood clot, Immune system, blood clot,

brain development, brain development, cholesterol metabolismcholesterol metabolism

Deficiency of CopperDeficiency of Copper

AnemiaAnemia Decrease WBCDecrease WBC Bone lossBone loss Inadequate growthInadequate growth Pre-term infants at riskPre-term infants at risk Cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease

Food Sources of Food Sources of CopperCopper Organ meatsOrgan meats SeafoodSeafood CocoaCocoa Mushroom, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole-Mushroom, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole-

graingrain RDA is 900 ug/day for adultsRDA is 900 ug/day for adults Daily Value is set at 2000 ugDaily Value is set at 2000 ug Average intake is about or slightly below Average intake is about or slightly below

the RDAthe RDA

Who is at Risk For Who is at Risk For Deficiency?Deficiency? Preterm infantsPreterm infants Undernourished infantsUndernourished infants Intestinal surgeryIntestinal surgery Long-term TPNLong-term TPN DialysisDialysis Burn patientsBurn patients Excess zinc supplementExcess zinc supplement

Toxicity of CopperToxicity of Copper

Upper Level is 10 mg/dayUpper Level is 10 mg/day Not commonNot common

FluorideFluoride

Role in prevention of cavitiesRole in prevention of cavities Resists acid and dental cariesResists acid and dental caries Fluoride inhibits bacterial growth Fluoride inhibits bacterial growth

that may cause cavitiesthat may cause cavities Fluoridated water (1ppm)Fluoridated water (1ppm)

““Food” Sources of Food” Sources of FluorideFluoride Fluoridate water (~0.2 mg/cup)Fluoridate water (~0.2 mg/cup) TeaTea Seafood, seaweedSeafood, seaweed ToothpasteToothpaste Adequate intake is 3.1 -3.8 Adequate intake is 3.1 -3.8

mg/day for adultsmg/day for adults Typical fluoridated water contains Typical fluoridated water contains

0.2 mg/cup0.2 mg/cup

Toxicity of FluorideToxicity of Fluoride

Mottling of the teeth in childrenMottling of the teeth in children Limit toothpaste to pea size for Limit toothpaste to pea size for

childrenchildren In high amounts can weaken In high amounts can weaken

teeth in childrenteeth in children Upper Level is 10 mg/dayUpper Level is 10 mg/day

ChromiumChromium

Not well understoodNot well understood Role in Type 2 diabetesRole in Type 2 diabetes May increase the transport of May increase the transport of

glucose across the cell membraneglucose across the cell membrane Impaired glucose tolerance with Impaired glucose tolerance with

low intakelow intake Elevated cholesterol and Elevated cholesterol and

triglyceride with low intake triglyceride with low intake

Food Sources of Food Sources of ChromiumChromium Little informationLittle information Egg yolkEgg yolk Bran, whole grain, cerealBran, whole grain, cereal Organ meat, meatOrgan meat, meat BeerBeer Plant source dependent on soil contentPlant source dependent on soil content Adequate Intake is 25 - 35 ug/day for adultsAdequate Intake is 25 - 35 ug/day for adults Daily Value is set at 120 ugDaily Value is set at 120 ug Average intake meets the AIAverage intake meets the AI

Toxicity of ChromiumToxicity of Chromium

No toxicity from foodsNo toxicity from foods No Upper LevelNo Upper Level Exposed to chromium waste sites, Exposed to chromium waste sites,

painters and artists exposed to painters and artists exposed to paintspaints

Lung & liver damageLung & liver damage

MaganeseMaganese

Role in CHO metabolismRole in CHO metabolism Role in bone formationRole in bone formation No deficiency symptom observed No deficiency symptom observed

in humanin human Adequate Intake is 1.8-2.3 mg/dayAdequate Intake is 1.8-2.3 mg/day Average intake meets AIAverage intake meets AI

Manganese ToxicityManganese Toxicity

Seen in individuals working in Seen in individuals working in manganese minemanganese mine– Severe psychiatric abnormalitiesSevere psychiatric abnormalities– Violence, impaired muscle controlViolence, impaired muscle control

Upper Level is 11 mg/dayUpper Level is 11 mg/day

MolybdenumMolybdenum

High intake will inhibit copper absorptionHigh intake will inhibit copper absorption Required by several enzymesRequired by several enzymes Deficiency rareDeficiency rare

– Increased heart and respiration ratesIncreased heart and respiration rates– Night blindness, mental confusionNight blindness, mental confusion– Edema, weakness, comaEdema, weakness, coma

RDA is 45 ug/dayRDA is 45 ug/day Average intake is 75-110 ug/dayAverage intake is 75-110 ug/day Toxicity seen in animalsToxicity seen in animals Upper Level is 2 mg/dayUpper Level is 2 mg/day

Other Minerals Other Minerals

BoronBoron NickelNickel SiliconSilicon VanadiumVanadium ArsenicArsenic

Mineral PyramidMineral Pyramid