The Trace elements Are bioelements present in all living beings, being chemical elements that can be found in almost any living particle. Within living beings they remain in balance, and both their absence and their excess, can cause problems in the organism to become pathological.
Trace elements fulfill functions within living organisms. Many of them are needed to participate in the reactions needed for life. They intervene in functions such as respiratory, digestive, muscular, etc. They participate in the creation of specific end products and control various actions of biological processes.
The amount that can be consumed of the trace elements is very small, but through a Healthy and balanced diet It is easy to get to consume the recommended daily amount of these products. Each trace element has an optimal concentration range, and many of them produce disease by excess and by default.
For a living to work, it needs to count in its organism with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Without these elements, life would not exist.
Trace elements
1- Boron
This trace element is essential for living beings in the plant world. Helps maintain the structure of the cell wall of vegetables.
2-Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace element for people. With the age its concentration is diminishing and the lack of chromium can come to provoke some diseases like diabetes.
This trace element is an insulin enhancer, since it favors the absorption of glucose in the cells. Chromium also plays a very important role in blood cholesterol level.
And a correct amount of chromium is very important in the mother's system, for a good development of the fetus.
This can be found in vegetables, citrus, algae, lean meats and in liver and kidneys.
3- Cobalt
This trace element is one of the central components of vitamin B12. This mineral is more present in men as it is necessary for the production of Testosterone , And in a smaller number in women.
Vitamin B12 has a core consisting essentially of cobalt. Vitamins are very important for the synthesis of blood, and in this case, vitamin B12 is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells.
Vitamin B12 also favors the absorption of other substances, such as the absorption of iron in the intestine or that of iodine by the thyroid.
It also helps to lower blood sugar concentration and balance sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
We can obtain high concentrations of cobalt in liver of the animals, to acquire the necessary amount.
4- Copper
One of the most important trace elements for humans because it stimulates the immune system because it is present in most antibodies. We can get it from molluscs and crustaceans, fish, green vegetables, lentils and liver.
Copper helps the synthesis of Red blood cells . Hemoglobin needs copper to absorb iron, without which absorption does not occur.
It not only helps in the pigmentation of the blood, but also favors the pigmentation of skin and hair. The lack of copper in the system can lead to the appearance of gray hairs.
A curious feature of copper is that it appears in babies in amounts up to 10 times higher than those of an adult. Infants have a reservoir of copper in the skin, which allows them to synthesize enzymes and form blood cells.
5- Fluorine
Fluoride is concentrated in living things in the bones and teeth, and is necessary to maintain its density and endurance.
In the denture, the presence of fluoride is very important, since it is the way to resist cavities, but also to the accumulation of other bacteria inside the mouth. Although there are studies that indicate that the abuse of fluoride can provoke Alzheimer's .
6- Iron
Iron in the human body is concentrated in the blood. It is part of the hemoglobin and cytochromes of the respiratory system. Its oxidation, combined with hemoglobin, forms oxyhemoglobin.
Oxyhemoglobin is the main charge of oxygen transport by the body. Many parts of the body can not function without iron, such as the thyroid, body temperature control, etc.
Small amounts are needed inside the body, since the iron is reused and not eliminated. Lack of iron in the blood can lead to Anemia , Which in some cases can be very serious.
7- Manganese
Manganese can be found within the enzymes that make up the living, but also has a structural role. One of its functions is the dismutation of super oxides.
There are studies that show that the lack of manganese in the system, can affect the females of living beings to undergo abortions or give birth prematurely.
In addition, manganese helps the functions of the pancreas, and helps it to dispense glucose. It is part of the production of thyroxine and sex hormones. And it helps the breakdown and fat formation, which helps cholesterol; And strengthens the cartilage of the bones.
It is believed that manganese also improves memory and reduces stress, and can prevent sterility.
8- Molybdenum
We can find molybdenum easily in sea water. This is the main task of transmitting oxygen atoms to water. It is one of those responsible for assimilating uric acid and thus prevent gout attacks.
It is also in charge of helping liver enzymes to degrade alcohol molecules.
It is a major component of many creams as it helps to slow down aging.
9- Nickel
This trace element helps to absorb iron in the body and stabilizes the DNA and RNA . It also helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates and stabilizes blood clotting.
Through the absorption of iron, this trace element also helps to decrease the action of the adrenalin .
10- Selenium
Selenium catalyzes organic compounds, promoting oxidation, hydrogenation and dehydrogenation.
New studies are showing that the amount of selenium in the body can help prevent cancer. However, they are still in an experimental phase and there is not much information on the subject that is validated by the scientific community.
11- Silicon
This mineral, like calcium, favors and strengthens the bones and the lack of it can lead to osteoporosis. It also helps to solder bone fractures.
12- Vanadium
This trace element, which is present in many living things, is not shown to be essential for humans. However, there are vanadium compounds that enhance the activity of insulin.
13- Iodine
This chemical element is very necessary for humans since the thyroid gland needs it to manufacture thyroid hormone and thyroxine.
If the thyroid gland does not have enough iodine, it can not synthesize the hormone, which is an important part of the development and regulation of the body.
In addition, iodine is related to vitamin A, since it halts the need for iodine by the thyroid gland. The thyroid, in turn, is involved in the process of transforming carotene into vitamin A.
14- Zinc
Zinc helps the metabolism of proteins and stimulates more than 100 enzymes. It is necessary for the wounds to heal faster and helps the functioning of the immune system. It also helps sensory organs like taste and smell.
Zinc improves defenses and is studying the importance of zinc in Brain functions . In the face of the image, zinc favors the growth and strengthening of the hair.
Essential Elements
The essential elements are those that are needed for the development of the living being.
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte that together with sodium regulates adenosine triphosphate. This is basic in obtaining cellular energy. A great source of potassium are bananas.
Chlorine
Chlorine is necessary for the production of gastric flows within the digestive system. Its most common form is that of common salt.
Sodium
Along with potassium, as it appears above, the adenosine triphosphate is regulated. A large source of sodium is found in green leafy vegetables, seafood and salt.
Calcium
This essential element intervenes in various parts of the body for its development. It is needed to strengthen muscle mass and bones, as well as the heart, digestive system and blood. The largest source of calcium is found in milk, fish and seeds.
Match
It is an important part of bone composition. In addition it influences activities to obtain energy from the cells.
Magnesium
Another essential element that makes up the bones. And also necessary for the adenosine triphosphate. We can find it in nuts and soy.
References
- MERTZ, Walter.Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. Elsevier, 2012.
- BOWEN, H. I. M. OF THE TRACE ELEMENTS.NUCLEAR ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES IN THE LIFE SCIENCES, 1966, p. 393.
- UNDERWOOD, Eric.Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. Elsevier, 2012.
- MERTZ, Walter. The essential trace elements.Science, 1981, vol. 213
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, et al. Trace elements in human nutrition and health. World Health Organization, 1996.
- PRASAD, Ananda S. (ed.) Essential and toxic element: trace elements in human health and disease. Elsevier, 2013.
- FRAGA, Cesar G. Relevance, essentiality and toxicity of trace elements in human health.Molecular aspects of medicine, 2005, vol. 26, no. 4, p. 235-244.