Human beings are closely related to the environment in which they live, and the types and contents of elements contained in the human body are basically consistent with the composition of elements in the crust. The study found that the average content of more than 60 chemical elements in human blood is significantly correlated with the content of crustal elements. Among these elements, more than 20 elements are necessary to maintain the normal physiological functions of the body, which are called "essential elements of life".
Minerals In Human Body
Unlike nutrients such as protein and fat, minerals cannot be synthesized in the body, and a certain amount of minerals are excreted in urine, sweat, feces, etc. every day, so they must be continuously supplemented from the diet.
Minerals containing more than 0.01% of body weight are called macro minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, sulfur, chlorine, and magnesium. The content of less than 0.01% of body weight in the body is called trace minerals, including iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, molybdenum, chromium and so on.
The Role of Minerals
Although the human body needs a small amount of minerals, when its intake is reduced to a certain lower limit, some important functions of the body will be damaged. To help you better understand the function and source of each macro and trace mineral, you can refer to the table below:
| Macro minerals | Features |
|---|
| Calcium |
Important for healthy bones and teeth; helps muscles relax and contract; important for nerve function, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, and immune system health |
| Chloride |
To maintain proper fluid balance and produce stomach acid |
| Magnesium |
In bones; used to make protein, help with muscle contraction, nerve transmission, immune system health |
| Phosphorus |
Important for healthy bones and teeth; present in every cell; maintains acid-base balance |
| Potassium |
Maintain fluid balance, nerve conduction and muscle contraction |
| Sodium |
Maintain fluid balance, nerve conduction and muscle contraction |
| Sulfur |
Present in protein molecules |
| Trace minerals |
Features |
| Chromium |
Works closely with insulin to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels |
| Copper |
A component of many enzymes; copper is required for iron metabolism |
| Fluoride |
Helps prevent tooth decay |
| Iodine |
Present in thyroid hormones that help regulate growth, development and metabolism |
| Iron |
Part of hemoglobin in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body; necessary for energy metabolism |
| Manganese |
A component of many enzymes |
| Molybdenum |
A component of some enzymes |
| Selenium |
Antioxidants |
| Zinc |
A component of many enzymes; needed to make proteins and genetic material; has a sense of taste and is important for wound healing, normal fetal development, sperm production, human growth and sexual maturation, and immune system health |
Related Research Information
Reviews suggest that zinc, an essential mineral that has long been studied for its role in immune function, may help prevent or shorten symptoms associated with respiratory infections. Zinc's mechanism of action includes broad-spectrum antiviral properties in vitro against most common respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses. Zinc is important for immunity, inflammation, hemostasis, ACE 2 activity, and also contributes to tissue response to hypoxia.[1]
Macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies are very common in the general population and may be more common in patients with hypertension and cardiovascular disease due to genetic or environmental reasons and the use of prescription drugs. In addition to other lifestyle changes, optimizing nutrition, nutritional supplements, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol and caffeine restriction can prevent and control high blood pressure in many patients.[2]
References
- Jennifer Hunter. (2021). "Zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections in adults: a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials." BMJ Open 11, e047474.
- Houston M C. (2013). "The role of nutrition, nutraceuticals, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals in the prevention and treatment of hypertension." Alternative therapies in health and medicine 19, 23.
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