Why Trace Minerals Are So Important
Trace minerals are those minerals that are necessary in very small or trace amounts.
These trace mineral quantities, although essential to the processes of the body, are very much different from other minerals such as calcium, potassium and sodium. As we need much larger amounts of the latter we call them macro-minerals.
The standard recommended daily intake level of trace minerals is much lower than the standard recommended intake level of macro-minerals which is usually more than 100mg per day.
An important trace mineral is Iodine. It has an essential function to regulate the thyroid, which controls hormone production for many body functions.
Adults need a mere 150 micrograms daily. Without it, however, serious health consequences can occur.
Selenium was universally accepted in the 1950’s as an essential nutrient. It has significant antioxidant properties due to its importance in enzyme processes that bring free radicals under control.
In partnership with Vitamin E, it serves as a powerful antioxidant, with many studies associating selenium with a reduced incidence of a variety of different cancers, as well as helping to prevent heart disease.
The standard recommended daily intake level for adult females is 55mg and for adult males it is 70mg.
Zinc, like all (trace) minerals, is an essential cofactor of many enzymes that are, among lots of other bodily functions, responsible for different types of metabolism processes. Zinc has antioxidant properties and is especially important to the growth of children, the sense of taste, sexual maturation and wound healing.
The standard recommended daily intake level for adult females is 12mg and for adult males it is 15mg.
The trace element mineral that is perhaps the most well know is iron. Iron is an essential cofactor of many enzymes, which perform tasks ranging from transporting oxygen throughout the body to storing energy and making it available to the body.
For adult woman, the standard recommended daily intake level of iron is 15 mg, and for men it is 10mg.
Other essential trace elements include copper and manganese, that have essential roles in important antioxidant enzymes, and chromium, which is necessary to many important functions such as sugar metabolism and the regulation of blood sugar levels, as well as for the transportation of amino acids.
There are several more trace elements that serve the body in many important ways. One of most common ways these minerals are ingested is through plants that have been grown in soil that contains these elements. However, as soil quality varies, so too does mineral content.
Dietary supplements, when taken with care and attention to standard dosage recommendations, can be a reliable and effective means of ensuring that you are receiving the right amount of these essential trace element minerals.
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