Trace elements needed by the human body and their functions

There are some indispensable elements in everyone's body. We call these elements trace elements. They affect our health and provide maintenance for our life activities. Do you know what trace elements are there in the human body? Do you know what trace elements a normal human body needs? Some people know, but some people are still vague about the trace elements needed by the human body. Now I will lead everyone to learn about the trace elements needed by the human body and the roles played by these trace elements.

The meaning of trace elements:

Trace elements refer to elements that account for less than one ten-thousandth of the total weight of the human body and are indispensable for maintaining normal life activities of the human body. Most scholars believe that the essential trace elements for the human body are: iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, tin, silicon, selenium, iodine, and fluorine. Trace elements play an important role in the entire life system.

The role of several trace elements in human life and the diseases they may cause:

iron:

Most of the iron in the human body exists in the form of hemoglobin, and the rest is generally stored in cells. Iron is a component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome. Iron plays a very important role in the human body's metabolism. It is directly involved in the transport and storage of oxygen. Iron deficiency in the human body will lead to decreased immune function, anemia, fatigue, reduced resistance, and poor development. Excessive iron absorption or iron balance disorder in the human body will cause it to be deposited in the liver, pancreas, heart and skin, causing hemochromatosis, hemochromatosis, abnormal liver function, myocardial damage and diabetes. Currently, the role of iron in the nervous system is also attracting attention, such as in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Foods that are the main sources of iron: liver, offal, lean meat, eggs, soy products, dairy products, shellfish, green leafy vegetables, fruits, etc.

Zinc:

The trace element zinc is one of the essential elements for life. Zinc is distributed in all organs and blood of the human body. Zinc is very important for prostate function, reproductive organ development, protein synthesis and collagen formation, and it protects the liver from chemical poisoning. The typical symptoms of zinc deficiency in the human body are skin damage and bone mutations. Zinc deficiency can cause loss of appetite, absorption disorders, rough skin and even keratinized dermatitis, and may even cause developmental abnormalities and reproductive system disorders in children. These disorders will also affect the next generation, affecting the synthesis of nucleic acids and causing congenital deficiencies in the next generation. There is a type of dwarfism that is the result of congenital zinc deficiency. Zinc also has a unique function, which is to accelerate wound healing. Therefore, patients should supplement zinc in time after major surgery.

Foods that are the main sources of zinc: The amount of zinc supplied in people's daily diet is sufficient. Foods rich in zinc include seafood, meat, vegetables, almonds, etc.

copper:

Copper in the human body exists mainly in the form of copper-protein complexes. Copper is an important mineral for the formation of bones, hemoglobin, and red blood cells. Copper can affect iron metabolism and hematopoietic function, affect the central nervous system, and have effects on bone and connective tissue metabolism, energy metabolism, cardiovascular system, hair, skin and endocrine system. Copper deficiency in the human body can seriously affect children's brain development and lead to Menke's disease. Copper ion poisoning can cause patients to experience symptoms such as movement disorders, progressive mental disorders, and liver and kidney damage.

Foods that are the main sources of copper: seafood, meat, vegetables, nuts, etc.

selenium:

Selenium, as an essential trace element for the human body, is closely related to human health. Selenium in the human body is mainly distributed in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood and hair also contain a certain amount of selenium, which is called blood selenium and hair selenium. Selenium, as a non-metallic element, has the function of enhancing cell stability. Selenium deficiency can lead to Keshan disease, and selenium deficiency in the elderly can increase the incidence of cataracts. At the same time, some tumor epidemiological studies at home and abroad have shown that low zinc and low selenium are likely to be risk factors for tumor occurrence. This is because selenium has the function of inhibiting certain cancer cells, stimulating immunoglobulins and enhancing the body's immunity. Because it has anti-cancer and liver and cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment effects, and has obvious anti-aging effects, selenium can effectively cooperate with vitamin R to become an effective antioxidant.

Foods that are the main sources of selenium: rice bran, squid, fat, pumpkin, straw mushrooms, malt, etc.

chromium:

Chromium is an essential trace element for the human body, and its role in the etiology of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases has received widespread attention. Trivalent chromium can affect sugar metabolism and is necessary for humans and animals; while hexavalent chromium compounds are recognized carcinogens. Therefore, not all chromium can be ingested.

The main sources of chromium are: seaweed, fish, beans, nuts, root vegetables, grains, dairy products, meat products, vegetables and fruits, etc.

Overview of the effects of other trace elements on the human body:

In addition to the above, there are many other metals such as manganese, cobalt, vanadium, nickel, molybdenum, bismuth, etc. that play a very important role in the human body. For example, manganese is closely related to human metabolism. Manganese deficiency manifests itself as slow growth and development, weight loss and low cholesterol, and can cause bone deformities; vanadium is related to a variety of diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, rheumatism, tuberculosis, etc.; bismuth is related to gastrointestinal dysfunction; and cobalt is related to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension caused by vitamin deficiency in the body; molybdenum is an anti-cancer element. Many cancers, such as esophageal cancer, liver cancer, rectal cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, etc. are related to molybdenum deficiency. Molybdenum deficiency can also lead to neurological abnormalities, intellectual retardation, and affect bone growth, etc.

Through the above knowledge, everyone has a basic understanding of the trace elements that the human body needs. Yes, although trace elements account for a small part, they directly affect our health. Too much or too little trace elements are not good, a balance needs to be achieved. In daily life, it is recommended that everyone pay attention to the balanced intake of trace elements.