Trace elements in foodstuffs and beverages
Active mineral nutrients that occur in the body in concentrations of less than 50 mg/kg of body weight are called trace elements. These include, for example, selenium, manganese, molybdenum, copper and chromium as well as iron, iodine and zinc.
Chromium
Chromium is an important trace element in the glucose metabolism. It strongly enhances the effect of insulin and therefore increases the ability of body cells to take up glucose and contributes to normal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Copper
Copper easily forms compounds with proteins and is involved in various enzymatic processes, the development of bones, connective tissue and haemoglobin. Copper is also involved in the formation of cross-links between elastic fibres in the connective tissue and is therefore essential for the strength and elasticity of ligaments, sinews, bronchia, the skin and the blood vessels.
Iodine
Iodine is an essential component of the two thyroid gland hormones tri-iodine-thyroxin and tetra-iodine-thyroxin. Both hormones control cell growth and many metabolic processes and regulate the body weight and the activity level of a person. When the supply of iodine to the body is insufficient, the thyroid gland grows into an iodine-deficiency struma, also known as goitre.
Manganese
Manganese is an essential trace element and is required in the body for more than 60 different enzymatic processes as well as in the lipid metabolism. Manganese controls blood clotting jointly with Vitamin K.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a part of enzymes which catalyse the decomposition of purins to urea and regulates the detoxification of the body from sulfites.
Selenium
Just like all the other trace elements, selenium is essential for
maintaining many of our body functions. For example, as an integral
part of proteins and enzymes, selenium protects from oxidant damages.
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