About Trace Minerals
Most important Trace Minerals
Zinc: Zinc is involved in the synthesis and stabilization of proteins, DNA and RNA, as well as in playing a structural role in membranes. Zinc also helps regulate gene transcription and is needed for sperm production and fetal growth. A mild deficiency could lead to diabetes, AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, alcoholism, and other mal-absorption syndromes. Chronic deficiency can cause stunted growth in children, impaired immune function and night blindness. Oysters have the highest amount of bio-available zinc.
Selenium: Selenium is a component of several enzymes, most notably glutathione peroxidase. In conjunction with vitamin E, this enzyme appears to prevent oxidative and free radical damage to various cell structures. Low levels of selenium in the blood accelerates coronary artery disease and cancers.
Copper: Copper plays a role in iron metabolism, melanin synthesis, CNS functioning, the synthesis of elastin (protein that keeps skin flexible), collagen and the scavenging of radicals. A deficiency may cause loss of pigmentation in the skin and hair, neurological disturbances, decreased numbers of white blood cells and anemia.
Chromium: Chromium’s primary function is to aid insulin action. It has an impact on carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Chromium-deficiency leads to hyperglycemia.
Iron: Iron participates in oxidation-reduction reactions (electron transfer between 2 interacting elements) within a number of proteins such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, and the cytochrome enzymes. Feeling tired is an early symptom of iron deficiency. In children, a mild deficiency is associated with behavioral disturbances and poor school performance.