What Does Trace Element Mean?
99% of our body weight consists of these six elements. Oxygen (65%), carbon (18%), hydrogen (10%), nitrogen (3%), calcium ( 1.5%)and phosphorus(1%). Our body needs many elements other than these elements to function in a healthy way. Although these minerals (elements) are called trace elements because they are found in extremely low amounts in our body, they are extremely important for our body functions.
What are Trace Elements?
Trace elements that constitute 1% of body weight are: Potassium(0.35%), sulfur(0.25%), sodium(0.15%) >, magnesium(0.05%), fluorine, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, cobalt, selenium, iodine, chlorine, chromium, molybdenum, Lithium, strontium, aluminum, silicon, lead, vanadium, arsenic , bromine.
Although it is very important to obtain adequate amounts of these minerals in the diet, their uncontrolled consumption is also extremely harmful. Toxic effects are inevitable at high doses.
Trace elements are involved in many important events in terms of the continuation of body functions. To briefly mention:
Iron: Iron, located in the hemoglobin structure in blood cells, is responsible for oxygen transport. Iron deficiency causes effects such as weakness, fatigue, decreased resistance to diseases, increased heart rate and breathing rate, and headache.
Manganese: It is found in high amounts in the mitochondria responsible for cell energy production. It plays a role in the functioning of the brain-nervous system, thyroid functions, and bone and cartilage development.
Magnesium: Magnesium, which is necessary for the functionality of many enzymes important for the body, is also essential for energy production and development in all cells. It is necessary for DNA synthesis. It is also important for calcium and potassium balance. In its deficiency, weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, neurological complaints (migraine, distraction, sleep disorder), constipation, diarrhea, heart conduction problems, etc. It may be.
Cobalt: It is included in the structure of vitamin B12. Missing Pernicious anemia and related complaints occur.
Copper: It plays an important role in the formation of melanin pigment, nerve sheath, muscle vessel and tendon development. Copper deficiency causes weakness, impaired taste, and fragility in blood vessels and bones.
Zinc: It takes part in the formation of DNA during the development stages in the womb. While deficiency in the womb can lead to developmental disorders and hereditary diseases, it can lead to dwarfism in childhood. Apart from this, hair loss, sexual development disorders and sugar regulation disorders may be observed.
Molybdenum: It is responsible for intracellular energy transfer reactions, functionality of intestinal enzymes and control of copper levels in the body. In its deficiency, weakness, malaise, fatigue and dyspeptic complaints may occur.
Chromium: Plays a role as an insulin sensitizer in sugar regulation.
Fluorine: It is important for dental and bone health.
Selenium: Selenium, which is an essential nutrient in trace amounts, is found in the structure of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme. This enzyme also serves to protect the body against cancer formation by preventing the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides in cells, that is, it has an antioxidant function. It also plays a role in the production of thyroid hormone. In its deficiency, there is an increase in thyroid diseases and cancer rates. When consumed excessively, sulfur can be displaced and lead to fatal consequences.
Iodine: 80% is located in the thyroid tissue. It takes part in the production of thyroid hormones. Since iodine deficiency is endemic in our country, refinery salts are sold as iodized.
Sulfur: It is important in energy production in the mitochondria and is an antioxidant in the transport of electrons, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and biotin cycle and energy production cycle. It plays a role in glutathione synthesis and insulin hormone production. Sulfur deficiency is common and causes diseases and complaints such as obesity, heart disease and failure, Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue, and cancer development.
Sodium, potassium, chlorine: These blood salts. It is responsible for electrical activity for the body. Heart conduction disorder in deficiency It can cause symptoms such as weakness, tiredness, exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, coma, etc. Elements such as lithium, strontium, aluminum, silicon, lead, vanadium, arsenic, bromine, tin are extremely low. information about body functions is limited.
Is Trace Element Deficiency Very Common?
Theoretically, these elements are present in a healthy and balanced person. Although deficiency is not a common situation, some studies conducted in recent years reveal that it is more common than thought.
Reasons of Trace Element Deficiency:
Infertility of soils. :Although developments such as the use of artificial fertilizers, excessive irrigation, greenhouse cultivation, spraying, etc. lead to an increase in product production processes and productivity, vegetation growing on mineral-poor soils and therefore mineral deficiency in animal products pose a problem for our age.
Consumption of soft drinking water: Processed and filtered waters are poor in minerals.
Alcohol: Mineral deficiencies are common due to unbalanced nutrition.
Used Some drugs: Some drugs, hormones or some antibiotics used in blood pressure and heart diseases can cause deficiency by increasing the excretion of elements from the kidneys.
Some chronic diseases: Diseases that impair intestinal absorption such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, surgical interventions and nutritional deficiencies. Trace element deficiency can develop in all debilitating diseases.
MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN!!!
High levels of trace elements in the blood can lead to very serious consequences. For this reason, if there are complaints and diseases that suggest deficiency, blood levels must be determined before treatment. It is also important to consume organic products as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
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