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Dietary minerals (also known as mineral nutrients) are the chemical elements required by living organisms, other than the four elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen present in common organic molecules. Some major minerals are calcium, phosphorous, selenium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc and iodine. The need for these minerals can affect the behavior of both animals and man. For example, larger organisms may also consume soil (geophagia) and visit mineral licks to obtain limiting mineral nutrients they are unable to acquire through other components of their diet.

Most minerals that enter into the dietary physiology of organisms consist of simple chemical elements. Larger aggregates of minerals need to be broken down for absorption. Bacteria play an essential role in the weathering of primary minerals that results in the release of nutrients for their own nutrition and for the nutrition of others in the ecological food chain. Scientists are only recently starting to appreciate the magnitude and role that microorganisms have in the global cycling and formation of biological minerals. Plants absorb dissolved minerals in soils, which are subsequently picked up by the herbivores that eat them and so on, the minerals move up the food chain.

Essential chemical elements[]

Some sources state that sixteen chemical elements are required to support human biochemical processes by serving structural and functional roles as well as electrolytes:[1] As many as 26 elements are suggested to be used by mammals, as a result of studies of biochemical, special uptake, and metabolic handling studies.[2] However, many of these additional elements have no well-defined biochemical function known at present. Most of the known and suggested dietary elements are of relatively low atomic weight, and are reasonably common on land, or at least, common in the ocean (iodine, sodium):

Periodic table highlighting dietary elements

H   He
Li Be   B C N O F Ne
Na Mg   Al Si P S Cl Ar
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
Cs Ba * Lu Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
Fr Ra ** Lr Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Uut Fl Uup Lv Uus Uuo
 
  * La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb
  ** Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No
The four organic basic elements Quantity elements Essential trace elements Suggested function from biochemistry and handling but no identified biological function in humans

The following play important roles in biological processes:

Dietary element RDA/AI (mg) Description Category High nutrient density
dietary sources
Insufficiency Excess
Potassium 04700.0004700 mg Quantity is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating ATP with sodium. Legumes, potato skin, tomatoes, bananas, papayas, lentils, dry beans, whole grains, yams, soybeans, spinach, chard, sweet potato, turmeric.[3][4] hypokalemia hyperkalemia
Chlorine 02300.0002300 mg Quantity is needed for production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and in cellular pump functions. Table salt (sodium chloride) is the main dietary source. hypochloremia hyperchloremia
Sodium 01500.0001500 mg Quantity is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating ATP with potassium. Table salt (sodium chloride, the main source), sea vegetables, milk, and spinach. hyponatremia hypernatremia
Calcium 01300.0001300 mg Quantity is needed for muscle, heart and digestive system health, builds bone, supports synthesis and function of blood cells. Dairy products, eggs, canned fish with bones (salmon, sardines), green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, tofu, thyme, oregano, dill, cinnamon.[3] hypocalcaemia hypercalcaemia
Phosphorus 00700.000700 mg Quantity is a component of bones (see apatite), cells, in energy processing and many other functions. Red meat, dairy foods, fish, poultry, bread, rice, oats. [5] [6] In biological contexts, usually seen as phosphate.[7] hypophosphatemia hyperphosphatemia
Magnesium 00420.000420 mg Quantity is required for processing ATP and for bones. Raw nuts, soy beans, cocoa mass, spinach, chard, sea vegetables, tomatoes, halibut, beans, ginger, cumin, cloves.[8] hypomagnesemia,
magnesium deficiency
hypermagnesemia
Zinc 00011.00011 mg Trace is pervasive and required for several enzymes such as carboxypeptidase, liver alcohol dehydrogenase, and carbonic anhydrase. Calf liver, eggs, dry beans, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, scallops, red meat, green peas, yoghurt, oats, seeds, miso[3][9] zinc deficiency zinc toxicity
Iron 00018.00018 mg Trace is required for many proteins and enzymes, notably hemoglobin to prevent anemia. Dietary sources include red meat, leafy green vegetables, fish (tuna, salmon), eggs, dried fruits, beans, whole grains, and enriched grains. Grains, dry beans, eggs, spinach, chard, turmeric, cumin, parsley, lentils, tofu, asparagus, salad greens, soybeans, shrimp, beans, tomatoes, olives[3][10] anaemia iron overload disorder
Manganese 00002.3002.3 mg Trace is a cofactor in enzyme functions. Spelt grain, brown rice, beans, spinach, pineapple, tempeh, rye, soybeans, thyme, raspberries, strawberries, garlic, squash, eggplant, cloves, cinnamon, thyme, turmeric[11] manganese deficiency manganism
Copper
Main article: Copper in health
00000.9000.900 mg Trace is required component of many redox enzymes, including cytochrome c oxidase. Mushrooms, spinach, greens, seeds, raw cashews, raw walnuts, tempeh, barley[12] copper deficiency copper toxicity
Iodine 00000.1500.150 mg Trace is required not only for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine and to prevent goiter, but also, probably as an antioxidant, for extrathyroidal organs as mammary and salivary glands and for gastric mucosa and immune system (thymus):
  • Iodine in biology
Sea vegetables, iodized salt, eggs. Alternate but inconsistent sources of iodine: strawberries, mozzarella cheese, yogurt, milk, fish, shellfish.[13] iodine deficiency iodism
Selenium 00000.0550.055 mg Trace a cofactor essential to activity of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase. Brazil nuts, cold water wild fish (cod, halibut, salmon), tuna, lamb, turkey, calf liver, mustard, mushrooms, barley, cheese, garlic, tofu, seeds[14] selenium deficiency selenosis
Molybdenum 00000.0450.045 mg Trace the oxidases xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase[15] Tomatoes, onions, carrots[16] molybdenum deficiency

Blood concentrations of dietary minerals[]

Dietary minerals are present in a healthy human being's blood at certain mass and molar concentrations. The figure below presents the concentrations of each of the dietary minerals discussed in this article, from center-right to the right. Depending on the concentrations, some are in upper part of the picture, while others are in the lower part. The figure includes the relative values of other constituents of blood such as hormones.

In the figure, dietary minerals are color highlighted in purple.
Template:Wide image

Dietary nutrition[]

Dietitians may recommend that dietary elements are best supplied by ingesting specific foods rich with the chemical element(s) of interest. The elements may be naturally present in the food (e.g., calcium in dairy milk) or added to the food (e.g., orange juice fortified with calcium; iodized salt, salt fortified with iodine). Dietary supplements can be formulated to contain several different chemical elements (as compounds), a combination of vitamins and/or other chemical compounds, or a single element (as a compound or mixture of compounds), such as calcium (as carbonate, citrate, etc.) or magnesium (as oxide, etc.), chromium (usually as picolinate) or iron (as bis-glycinate).

The dietary focus on chemical elements derives from an interest in supporting the biochemical reactions of metabolism with the required elemental components.[17] Appropriate intake levels of certain chemical elements have been demonstrated to be required to maintain optimal health. Diet can meet all the body's chemical element requirements, although supplements can be used when some requirements (e.g., calcium, which is found mainly in dairy products) are not adequately met by the diet, or when chronic or acute deficiencies arise from pathology, injury, etc. Research has supported that altering inorganic mineral compounds (carbonates, oxides, etc.) by reacting them with organic ligands (amino acids, organic acids, etc.) improves the bioavailability of the supplemented mineral.[18]

Other elements[]

Many elements have been suggested as essential, but such claims have usually not been confirmed. Definitive evidence for efficacy comes from the characterization of a biomolecule containing the element with an identifiable and testable function. One problem with identifying efficacy is that some elements are innocuous at low concentrations and are pervasive (examples: silicon and nickel in solid and dust), so proof of efficacy is lacking because deficiencies are difficult to reproduce.[17]

Element Description Excess
Sulphur Relatively large quantities of sulfur are required, but there is no RDA,[19] as the sulphur is obtained from and used for amino acids, and therefore should be adequate in any diet containing enough protein. (primarily associated with compounds)
Cobalt Cobalt is required in the synthesis of vitamin B12, but because bacteria are required to synthesize the vitamin, it is usually considered part of vitamin B12 deficiency rather than its own dietary element deficiency. Cobalt poisoning
Nickel There have been occasional studies asserting the essentiality of nickel,[20] but it currently has no RDA. Nickel toxicity
Chromium Chromium has been described as nonessential to mammals.[21][22] Some role in sugar metabolism in humans has been invoked, but evidence is lacking,[23][24] despite a market for the supplement chromium picolinate. Chromium toxicity
Fluorine Fluorine (as Fluoride) is not generally considered an essential mineral element because humans do not require it for growth or to sustain life. However, if one considers the prevention of dental cavities an important criterion in determining essentiality, then fluoride might well be considered an essential trace element. However, recent research indicates that the primary action of fluoride occurs topically (at the surface).[25][26] Fluoride poisoning
Boron Boron has been found to be essential for the utilization of vitamin D and calcium in the body.[27]
Strontium Strontium has been found to be involved in the utilization of calcium in the body. It has promoting action on calcium uptake into bone at moderate dietary strontium levels, but a rachitogenic (rickets-producing) action at higher dietary levels.[28] Rachitogenic
Other Arsenic, silicon, and vanadium have established, albeit specialized, biochemical roles as structural or functional cofactors in other organisms, and are possibly, even probably, used by mammals (including humans). By contrast, tungsten, bromine, and cadmium have specialized biochemical uses in certain lower organisms, but these elements appear not to be utilized by humans.[29] Multiple

Mineral ecology[]

Recent studies have shown a tight linkage between living organisms and minerals on this planet. This led to the redefinition of minerals as "an element or compound, amorphous or crystalline, formed through 'biogeochemical' processes. The addition of `bio' reflects a greater appreciation, although an incomplete understanding, of the processes of mineral formation by living forms."[30]:621 Biologists and geologists have only recently started to appreciate the magnitude of mineral biogeoengineering. Bacteria have contributed to the formation of minerals for billions of years and critically define the biogeochemical mineral cycles on this planet. Microorganisms can precipitate metals from solution contributing to the formation of ore deposits in addition to their ability to catalyze mineral dissolution, to respire, precipitate, and form minerals.[31][32][33]

Most minerals are inorganic in nature. Mineral nutrients refers to the smaller class of minerals that are metabolized for growth, development, and vitality of living organisms.[34][35][30] Mineral nutrients are recycled by bacteria that are freely suspended in the vast water columns of the worlds oceans. They absorb dissolved organic matter containing mineral nutrients as they scavenge through the dying individuals that fall out of large phytoplankton blooms. Flagellates are effective bacteriovores and are also commonly found in the marine water column. The flagellates are preyed upon by zooplankton while the phytoplankton concentrates on the larger particulate matter that is suspended in the water column as they are consumed by larger zooplankton, with fish as the top predator. Mineral nutrients cycle through this marine food chain, from bacteria and phytoplankton to flagellates and zooplankton who are then eaten by fish. The bacteria are important in this chain because only they have the physiological ability to absorb the dissolved mineral nutrients from the sea. These recycling principals from marine environments apply to many soil and freshwater ecosystems as well.[36][37]

References[]

  1. Nelson, David L.; Michael M. Cox (2000-02-15). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Third Edition, 3 Har/Com, 1200, W. H. Freeman.
  2. Ultratrace minerals. Authors: Nielsen, Forrest H. USDA, ARS Source: Modern nutrition in health and disease / editors, Maurice E. Shils ... et al.. Baltimore : Williams & Wilkins, c1999., p. 283-303. Issue Date: 1999 URI: [1]
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Adam Drewnowski (2010). The Nutrient Rich Foods Index helps to identify healthy, affordable foods. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 91(suppl).
  4. Human Nutrition: Potassium. George Mateljan Foundation.
  5. NHS Choices:Vitamins and minerals - Others. URL accessed on November 08, 2011.
  6. Corbridge, D. E. C. (1995-02-01). Phosphorus: An Outline of Its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology, 5th, 1220, Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Pub Co.
  7. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. URL accessed on 2008-11-29.
  8. Human Nutrition: Magnesium. George Mateljan Foundation.
  9. Human Nutrition: Zinc. George Mateljan Foundation.
  10. Human Nutrition: Iron. George Mateljan Foundation.
  11. Human Nutrition: Manganese. George Mateljan Foundation.
  12. Human Nutrition: Copper. George Mateljan Foundation.
  13. Human Nutrition: Iodine. George Mateljan Foundation.
  14. Human Nutrition: Selenium. George Mateljan Foundation.
  15. Sardesai VM (December 1993). Molybdenum: an essential trace element. Nutr Clin Pract 8 (6): 277–81.
  16. Human Nutrition: Selenium. George Mateljan Foundation.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Lippard, Stephen J.; Jeremy M. Berg (1994). Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry, 411, Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books.
  18. Ashmead, H. DeWayne (1993). The Roles of Amino Acid Chelates in Animal Nutrition, Westwood: Noyes Publications.
  19. NSC 101 Chapter 8 Content. URL accessed on 2008-12-02. [dead link]
  20. Anke M, Groppel B, Kronemann H, Grün M (1984). Nickel--an essential element. IARC Sci. Publ. (53): 339–65.
  21. K. R. Di Bona, S. Love, N. R. Rhodes, D. McAdory, S. H. Sinha, N. Kern, J. Kent, J. Strickland, A. Wilson, J. Beaird, J. Ramage, J. F. Rasco, J. B. Vincent "Chromium is not an essential trace element for mammals: effects of a "low-chromium" diet." Journal Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 2011, volume 16, p. 381-90.
    1. REDIRECT Template:Doi
  22. Eastmond DA, Macgregor JT, Slesinski RS (2008). Trivalent chromium: assessing the genotoxic risk of an essential trace element and widely used human and animal nutritional supplement. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 38 (3): 173–90.
  23. John B. Vincent "Chromium: celebrating 50 years as an essential element?" Dalton Transactions, 2010, pp. 3787-3794.
    1. REDIRECT Template:Doi
  24. Stearns DM (2000). Is chromium a trace essential metal?. Biofactors 11 (3): 149–62.
  25. Cerklewski FL (May 1998). Fluoride--essential or just beneficial. Nutrition 14 (5): 475–6.
  26. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. URL accessed on 2008-11-29.
  27. Boron in human and animal nutrition. URL accessed on 2010-10-06.
  28. The biological role of strontium. URL accessed on 2010-10-06.
  29. Ultratrace minerals. Authors: Nielsen, Forrest H. USDA, ARS Source: Modern nutrition in health and disease / editors, Maurice E. Shils ... et al.. Baltimore : Williams & Wilkins, c1999., p. 283-303. Issue Date: 1999 URI: [2]
  30. 30.0 30.1 (2005). Biominerals. Mineralogical Magazine 69 (5): 621–641.
  31. (2002). Geomicrobiology: How Molecular-Scale Interactions Underpin Biogeochemical Systems. Science 296 (5570): 1071–7.
  32. (2003). Microbial geoengineers. Science 299 (5609): 1027–9.
  33. Bacterial biomineralization: new insights from Myxococcus-induced mineral precipitation. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 336 (1): 31–50.
  34. (1996). Effect of mineral nutritional status on shoot-root partitioning of photoassimilates and cycling of mineral nutrients. Journal of Experimental Biology 47 (S1255): 1255.
  35. (2002). Leaf absorption of mineral nutrients in carnivorous plants stimulates root nutrient uptake. New Phytologist 155: 89–100.
  36. (1983). The ecological role of water-column microbes in the sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 10: 257–263.
  37. (2009). Mineral weathering by bacteria: ecology, actors and mechanisms. Trends in Microbiology 17 (8): 378–87.

See also[]

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External links[]

Template:Food chemistry


Dietary Supplements

Types

Amino AcidsBodybuilding supplementEnergy drinkEnergy barFatty acidsHerbal SupplementsMineralsProbioticsVitaminsWhole food supplements

Vitamins and Minerals

Retinol (Vitamin A)B vitamins: Thiamine (B1) Riboflavin (B2) Niacin (B3)Pantothenic acid (B5) Pyridoxine (B6)Biotin (B7)Folic acid (B9)Cyanocobalamin (B12)Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)Ergocalciferol and Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D)Tocopherol (Vitamin E)Naphthoquinone (Vitamin K)CalciumCholineChlorineChromiumCobaltCopperFluorineIodineIronMagnesiumManganeseMolybdenumPhosphorusPotassiumSeleniumSodiumSulfurZinc

Other Common Ingredients

CarnitineChondroitin sulfateCod liver oilCopper gluconateCreatineDietary fiberElemental calciumFish oilFolic acidGinsengGlucosamineGlutamineIron supplementsJapanese HoneysuckleKrill oilLactobacillusLinseed oilRed yeast riceRoyal jellySaw PalmettoSpirulina (dietary supplement)TaurineWolfberryYohimbineZinc gluconate

Related Artilces

EnzyteHadacolNutraceuticalMultivitamin

Template:Mineral supplements



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