Some Key Concepts about Minerals as trace elements:-
- Minerals are known as inorganic regulators and perform two basic functions of food including the formation of several body tissues and regulation of several physiological functions.
- They are distributed widely in foods but body absorption may be inhibited by the presence of chelating compounds, alkaline conditions, and imbalance of different minerals in the diet.
- Acidic conditions generally favor the absorption of the minerals. For most minerals absorption from the intestines is controlled according to the body’s requirements.
- Principal electrolytes in the body fluids are sodium, chloride and potassium. Concentration of each is maintained by means of renal excretion.
Some Basic Facts about Minerals as trace elements:-
- Sodium. Potassium and chlorine are present as salts in body fluids and play a role in maintaining osmotic pressure.
- Minerals are present in body structure of many tissues. For Example: Calcium and phosphorus in bones combine to give rigidity to the whole body.
- Minerals are present in body acids and alkalis, For Example: Chorine occurs in hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
- Some minerals such as copper and selenium function as co-enzymes.
- Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones.
- Sodium, Potassium, and calcium assist in the transfer of nerve impulse through-out the body.
- Iron is part of hemoglobin.
- Body growth and development depends on certain minerals such as calcium and phosphorous.
Absorption
of Minerals as Trace Elements:-
- Absorption of minerals is affected by other dietary components. High fiber diets decrease the absorption of minerals and so does the presence of phytic and oxalic acid.
- Many minerals complete with each other for absorption and thus interfere with each other’s absorption.
- Presence of certain dietary factors may increase the absorption of some minerals. For Example: Vitamin C increases the absorption of calcium and iron by converting them into forms which are better absorbed.
- Acidic conditions in the GIT also favor absorption.
- For many minerals body adjust absorption according to the needs. Absorption from the diet increase when body requirement are high and decrease when requirements are low.
- Similarly, body tends to absorb less amount of a mineral if it is present in higher amounts in the diet. It absorbs a higher amount when the diet contains less amount of minerals.
