Trace Minerals

Trace Minerals

 

The primary trace minerals of nutritional significance are chromium, copper, selenium and zinc. Deficiencies of these minerals may exist in:

  •  Patients with
    • Chronic illness (eg, HIV)
    • Malabsorption syndrome
    • Unbalanced diet or parenteral nutrition
    • Pica
  • Patients post bariatric surgery

Chromium

  • Function – potentiates the action of insulin in patients with impaired glucose tolerance; may also improve lipid profiles
  • Sources – yeast, meat, grain products
  • Deficiency – impaired glucose tolerance
  • Toxicity – dermatitis, renal failure, pulmonary cancers

Copper

  • Function – integral part of numerous enzyme systems including amine oxidase, ferroxidase, superoxide dismutase, dopamine hydroxylase
  • Sources – shellfish, liver, nuts, legumes, bran, organ meats
  • Deficiency –  anemia, osteopenia, degenerative changes in aortic elastin, growth retardation, hair pigment changes
  • Toxicity – nausea, emesis, diarrhea, hemolytic anemia, neurodegeneration, hepatic failure, Wilson disease

Selenium

  • Function – component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase which serves to protect proteins, cell membranes, lipids, nucleic acids from oxidant molecules
  • Sources – seafood, muscle meat, cereals
  • Deficiency – cardiomyopathy and heart failure, striated muscle degeneration
  • Toxicity – alopecia, nausea, emesis, dermatitis

Zinc

  • Function – integral component of metalloenzymes; synthesizes and stabilizes proteins, DNA and RNA
  • Sources – meat, shellfish, nuts, legumes
  • Deficiency – growth retardation, alopecia, dermatitis, diarrhea, failure to thrive, congenital malformations
  • Toxicity – reduced copper absorption, gastritis, fever, nausea, emesis