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The importance of trace minerals (e.g. selenium, zinc) for optimal health

Team AckoJan 17, 2024

Having optimal health isn't just about leading a healthy lifestyle, including exercising and eating right, but also to have a proper balance of the minerals and vitamins in our body.

From calcium to magnesium to trace minerals, they all play an essential role in keeping us healthy and energised. Trace minerals are certain minerals that are available in small amounts and have numerous benefits on our health.

Recently, trace minerals like selenium, zinc, manganese, iron and copper have been linked as important components of a healthy body. In fact, deficiency in any of these essential elements can lead to a number of health issues that impair our quality of life.

Contents

What Are Trace Minerals?
Selenium
Zinc
Manganese
Iron
Copper
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are Trace Minerals?

Trace minerals are minerals that are present in small amounts in the body, usually less than 5 mg/day. The human body requires trace minerals for various bodily functions, including, but not limited to:

Promoting growth and normal development
Preventing disease and infection
Regulating body processes

In animals and humans alike, trace minerals play an important role in the functioning of their health. Most essential trace minerals are absorbed by the small intestine, and are transported through the circulatory system to different organs and tissues.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential element for human health. It is an important component in cellular and tissue health and can help protect our bodies from oxidative damage and diseases like cancer. However, as selenium is rarely found in food, it is difficult to ensure that you are getting enough of it through your diet.

Considering its important role in the body and its difficulty to be obtained from food, it is important to be supplementing with selenium to ensure that you have optimal levels of this trace mineral in your body.

Selenium helps protect the body from oxidative damage and there’s evidence that it can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. It can also help protect against heart disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Zinc

Zinc is another essential trace mineral that has been linked to numerous health benefits. It is involved in hundreds of cellular processes in the body, including the healing of wounds, the production of hormones, brain development, and the immune system.

Zinc deficiency has been linked to numerous health problems, ranging from an increased risk of infections to infertility. It is very important to ensure that you get enough zinc in your diet or through supplementation to ensure that your body has enough of this critical trace mineral.

In addition to its critical role in maintaining cellular health, zinc has been linked to some very beneficial effects on the human body. It has been found to help protect against infections, reduce inflammation, regulate metabolism, and maintain good vision.

It can also help reduce the risk of certain illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as age-related cognitive decline. If you want to ensure that your body has enough zinc, it is important to incorporate foods that are rich in this mineral, such as shellfish, eggs, nuts, and legumes.

Manganese

Manganese is another essential trace mineral that can be found in small amounts in the body. It is known to have numerous functions, including acting as an antioxidant, aiding in bone tissue formation and aiding in the absorption of certain essential vitamins and minerals.

Manganese is also known to help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as reduce inflammation in the body. It has also been linked to improved immunity, protection against various diseases, and improved cognitive function.

If you want to ensure that your body has enough manganese, it is important to incorporate foods that are rich in this trace mineral, such as almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and spinach.

Iron

Iron is another essential trace mineral that the body needs to produce haemoglobin and myoglobin, which are proteins that transport oxygen around the body. Iron helps in the production of red blood cells, and deficiency in iron can lead to anaemia and other health issues.

Iron can be found naturally in food sources like leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. To ensure that your body is getting enough of this important trace mineral, it is important to include these types of foods in your diet.

Iron can also be supplemented in the form of iron tablets or liquid supplements. While it is possible to take too much iron, it is more likely that an individual is deficient in this trace mineral rather than getting too much. So if you are concerned about your iron levels, it is a good idea to get a blood test to check.

Copper

Copper is an essential trace element in the body and is involved in numerous bodily processes, such as the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to keep skin elastic. It can also help produce energy and aid in the absorption of other minerals, such as iron.

Copper deficiency has been linked to a number of diseases, including anaemia and osteoporosis. To ensure that your body has enough copper, it is important to incorporate foods that are rich in this trace mineral, such as oysters, cacao, nuts and legumes.

In conclusion, trace minerals play a key role in our health. Ensuring that you have adequate levels of these minerals is essential for optimal health. Eating a balanced diet that includes foods that are rich in these minerals and supplementing with trace mineral supplements is an effective way to ensure that your body is getting enough of these essential elements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trace minerals play a key role in our health and ensuring that you have adequate levels of these minerals is essential for optimal health. Eating a balanced diet that includes foods that are rich in these minerals, and supplementing with trace mineral supplements is an effective way to ensure that your body is getting enough of these essential elements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about the importance of trace minerals for optimal health

Why is selenium important?

Selenium is an essential element for human health. It is an important component in cellular and tissue health and can help protect our bodies from oxidative damage and diseases like cancer. Considering its important role in the body and its difficulty to be obtained from food, it is important to be supplementing with selenium to ensure that you have optimal levels of this trace mineral in your body.

What foods are rich in zinc?

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that has been linked to numerous health benefits. If you want to ensure that your body has enough zinc, it is important to incorporate foods that are rich in this mineral, such as shellfish, eggs, nuts, and legumes.

What are the benefits of manganese?

Manganese is another essential trace mineral that has been linked to numerous health benefits. It is known to have numerous functions, including acting as an antioxidant, aiding in bone tissue formation and aiding in the absorption of certain essential vitamins and minerals. Manganese can also help reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as reduce inflammation in the body.

What foods are rich in iron?

Iron is an essential trace mineral that the body needs to produce haemoglobin and myoglobin, which are proteins that transport oxygen around the body. Iron can be found naturally in food sources like leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

What foods are rich in copper?

Copper is an essential trace element in the body and is involved in numerous bodily processes. If you want to ensure that your body has enough copper, it is important to incorporate foods that are rich in this trace mineral, such as oysters, cacao, nuts and legumes.