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Lecture 7 : Micro Minerals

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1: Iron

2: Zinc

3: Copper

4: Manganese

5: lodine

6: Selenium

7: Fluoride

8: Molybdenum











Iron:


  • Definition: Iron is an essential trace mineral involved in oxygen transport, energy production, and enzymatic processes. It is a key component of hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscle cells, where it binds and transports oxygen.

  • Basic: Iron plays a crucial role in preventing iron-deficiency anemia, a condition characterized by fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and impaired cognitive function. It also supports immune function, cognitive development, and energy metabolism.

  • Intermediate: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide, affecting individuals of all ages, particularly pregnant women, infants, adolescents, and women of childbearing age. Dietary sources of iron include red meat, poultry, fish, fortified cereals, beans, lentils, tofu, spinach, and dried fruits.

  • Advanced: Iron absorption is influenced by various factors, including dietary factors (e.g., heme vs. non-heme iron), iron status, and other nutrients (e.g., vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption). Iron overload can occur in individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis or excessive iron supplementation, leading to organ damage and increased risk of chronic diseases.




Zinc:


  • Definition: Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for numerous physiological processes, including immune function, DNA synthesis, cell division, growth, wound healing, and taste perception.

  • Basic: Zinc plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system by promoting the production and function of white blood cells and modulating inflammation. It also serves as a cofactor for over 300 enzymes involved in various metabolic pathways.

  • Intermediate: Zinc deficiency can impair immune function, delay wound healing, and lead to growth retardation, skin problems, loss of appetite, and altered taste perception. Dietary sources of zinc include meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.

  • Advanced: Zinc absorption is influenced by factors such as dietary intake, zinc status, and the presence of other nutrients (e.g., phytates and fiber can inhibit zinc absorption). Zinc supplementation may be beneficial for individuals at risk of deficiency, such as vegetarians, pregnant and lactating women, and those with gastrointestinal disorders.




Copper:


  • Definition: Copper is an essential trace mineral involved in antioxidant defense, iron metabolism, connective tissue formation, and neurotransmitter synthesis.

  • Basic: Copper serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in antioxidant defense (e.g., superoxide dismutase), iron metabolism (e.g., ceruloplasmin), and collagen synthesis (e.g., lysyl oxidase). It also plays a role in maintaining the integrity of connective tissues, bones, and blood vessels.

  • Intermediate: Copper deficiency is rare but can occur in individuals with malabsorption disorders, excessive zinc supplementation, or conditions that increase copper excretion (e.g., Wilson's disease). Symptoms of deficiency may include anemia, bone abnormalities, impaired immune function, and neurological disturbances.

  • Advanced: Dietary sources of copper include organ meats, seafood, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, lentils, and cocoa. While copper toxicity is uncommon from dietary sources, excessive copper intake from supplements or contaminated water can lead to copper toxicity, characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and liver damage.




Manganese:


  • Definition: Manganese is an essential trace mineral involved in antioxidant defense, bone formation, carbohydrate metabolism, and enzyme activation.

  • Basic: Manganese serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in antioxidant defense (e.g., manganese superoxide dismutase), bone mineralization (e.g., glycosaminoglycan synthesis), and carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., gluconeogenesis).

  • Intermediate: Manganese deficiency is rare but can occur in individuals with malabsorption disorders, chronic liver disease, or parenteral nutrition without manganese supplementation. Symptoms of deficiency may include impaired growth, skeletal abnormalities, altered glucose metabolism, and impaired reproductive function.

  • Advanced: Dietary sources of manganese include whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy green vegetables, tea, and pineapple. While manganese toxicity is uncommon from dietary sources, excessive manganese exposure from industrial sources (e.g., mining, welding) or contaminated drinking water can lead to manganese toxicity, characterized by symptoms such as neurological dysfunction (e.g., tremors, Parkinson's-like symptoms) and psychiatric disturbances.




Iodine:


  • Definition: Iodine is an essential trace mineral required for thyroid hormone synthesis, which regulates metabolism, growth, development, and energy production.

  • Basic: Iodine is primarily used by the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (thyroxine - T4 and triiodothyronine - T3), which are essential for maintaining metabolic rate, body temperature, heart rate, and energy balance.

  • Intermediate: Iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid disorders, including goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), as well as developmental abnormalities such as cretinism in infants born to iodine-deficient mothers. Dietary sources of iodine include iodized salt, seafood, seaweed, dairy products, and fortified foods.

  • Advanced: Iodine supplementation is recommended for individuals at risk of deficiency, particularly pregnant and lactating women, as iodine requirements increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Excessive iodine intake can also cause thyroid dysfunction and should be avoided.



Selenium:


  • Definition: Selenium is an essential trace mineral and antioxidant involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, immune function, DNA synthesis, and antioxidant defense.

  • Basic: Selenium serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), regulating metabolic rate and energy production. It also supports immune function by enhancing the activity of white blood cells and modulating inflammatory responses.

  • Intermediate: Selenium deficiency can impair thyroid function, weaken the immune system, and increase susceptibility to infections and oxidative stress-related diseases. Dietary sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, grains, and vegetables grown in selenium-rich soil.

  • Advanced: Selenium supplementation may be beneficial for individuals at risk of deficiency, such as those with gastrointestinal disorders, malabsorption, or low dietary intake. However, excessive selenium intake can lead to selenium toxicity, characterized by symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, nail brittleness, and neurological abnormalities.



Fluoride:


  • Definition: Fluoride is a trace mineral involved in dental health, bone formation, and prevention of dental caries (cavities).

  • Basic: Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and acidic foods, thereby reducing the risk of dental decay and cavities.

  • Intermediate: Fluoride deficiency is not a concern, as fluoride is naturally present in water, soil, and foods such as tea and seafood. However, excessive fluoride intake can lead to dental fluorosis (discoloration and mottling of tooth enamel) and skeletal fluorosis (bone deformities) in areas with high fluoride levels in drinking water.

  • Advanced: Fluoride supplementation is sometimes recommended for individuals at high risk of dental caries, such as those living in areas with non-fluoridated water or with poor oral hygiene habits. However, the optimal level of fluoride intake and the balance between caries prevention and risk of dental fluorosis should be carefully considered.



Molybdenum:


  • Definition: Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral and cofactor for enzymes involved in sulfur amino acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and detoxification of sulfites.

  • Basic: Molybdenum serves as a cofactor for enzymes such as sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase, which are involved in the breakdown of sulfur-containing amino acids, conversion of purines to uric acid, and detoxification of sulfites (preservatives found in food and beverages).

  • Intermediate: Molybdenum deficiency is rare and typically only occurs in individuals with inborn errors of metabolism or severe malnutrition. Symptoms of deficiency may include neurological abnormalities, developmental delays, and impaired growth.

  • Advanced: Dietary sources of molybdenum include legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, and organ meats. Molybdenum toxicity is rare and usually only occurs with occupational exposure to molybdenum dust or fumes. Excessive molybdenum intake can interfere with copper metabolism and lead to copper deficiency.