What are Microminerals?
Microminerals are minerals that are needed in less than 100 mg quantities in the body. Microminerals are iron, zinc, copper, iodine, fluoride, chromium, cobalt, selenium, manganese and molybdenum. However, there are some essential nutrients referred to as trace minerals or trace elements that are usually needed in microgram quantities in the body. The trace elements are silicon, vanadium, boron, tin, nickel, arsenic and bromine.
Iron
Iron is used in red blood cells to transport oxygen to the tissues and is also a vital component of several metabolic proteins and enzymes. Healthy blood-helps red blood cells carry oxygen, plays a role in maintaining a healthy immune system, and helps grow and operate the brain. Iron is part of the enzyme reactions that bring signals from one nerve cell to another. It is present in the body in the form of heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is bound to a ring-like molecule called porphyrin. Heme iron is found in the blood cells of red blood. Non-heme iron, such as iron-sulfur protein clusters, is used in the production of energy and other metabolic functions. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iron for men is 8 mg, for women 18 mg, and for pregnant women 27 mg. Dietary iron occurs naturally in organ meats; red meats; fish; poultry; shellfish (especially clams); egg yolks; legumes; dried fruits; dark, leafy greens; iron-enriched breads and cereals; and fortified cereals.
Zinc
Zinc plays a variety of functions in the body. It is involved in many cellular metabolic processes and is used for growth and development, immune system, neurological function and reproduction. It also forms a structural part of the cell membrane and is a portion of the zinc finger proteins that function as transcription factors. Zinc is involved in the synthesis or degradation of major metabolites such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, enzyme activity, protein stabilization and genetic structure in cells, cell communication and division, and helps maintain healthy immune function. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. Dietary zinc occurs naturally in meats, fish, poultry, leavened whole grains and vegetables.
Copper
Copper is considered to be both a powerful enzyme catalyst and a hazardous reagent that generates hydroxyl radicals. It is part of many enzymes; required for iron metabolism The normal level of total copper in the body is between 70 and 140 μg/dL (11–22 μmol/L). Copper deficiency results in glucose intolerance, decreased insulin response, and increased glucose response. It is related to hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Copper has insulin-like activity and promotes lipogenesis. Dietary copper occurs naturally in legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, organ meats and drinking water.
Iodine
For proper thyroid function, iodine is completely essential. Thyroid hormone, which helps control growth, development, and metabolism, contains iodine. The most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide is iodine deficiency. Mental retardation and cretinism are caused by iodine deficiency and it is the most devastating of all trace elements. The hormone thyroid regulates the release of insulin. Dietary iodine occurs naturally in seafood, foods grown in iodine-rich soil, iodized salt, bread and dairy products.
Fluorine
Fluorine has proven to be an essential element with preventative and protective properties. Florine helps to avoid tooth decay and is involved in the development of bones and teeth. Fluorine is capable of preventing and acting against tooth decay and improves resistance during attack by acidic bacteria to “demineralisation of tooth enamel during attack by acidic bacterias” While necessary for all individuals, it is critical for children, as the fluorine is absorbed into their forming enamel when ingested. This allows their teeth to become less vulnerable to decay in turn. Dietary fluorine occurs naturally in grape juice, wine, raisins, some seafoods, coffee, drinking water (either fluoridated or naturally containing fluoride) and most teas.
Chromium
Chromium is associated with the glucose tolerance factor, an organometallic molecule essential in carbohydrate metabolism that potentiates the action of insulin. For normal carbohydrate metabolism and as a critical cofactor for insulin action, chromium is necessary and is a component of the glucose tolerance factor that plays a role in glucose homeostasis. It works closely with insulin to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. It was considered that the healthy and sufficient daily intake of chromium was in the 50-200 mg range. The adult serum’s natural chromium concentration is 0.05–0.5 μg/L (1–10 μmole/L). Dietary chromium occurs naturally in unrefined foods, especially liver, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, nuts and cheeses.
Cobalt
One of the essential microminerals recognized as a constituent of vitamin B12 is cobalt. A small amount of this mineral is needed by the body in order to carry out its regular growth and maintenance. The quantity of cobalt in foods is dependent on the quantity of mineral in the soil from which food sources are grown or eaten. Cobalt is both important for humans and for animals. “It is known as the key constituent of cobalamin, also known as vitamin B12, which is essentially a “ultra-trace” part of the biological reservoir of cobalt. The bacteria found in ruminant animals transform cobalt salts to a compound that can only be formed by bacteria: vitamin B12.
For the development of red blood cells and the formation of the myelin sheath that protects nerve cells, B12 is important. Standard cobalt serum levels are less than 0.5 μg/L. Cobalt deficiency can lead to anemia and nerve damage. Plants are not a good source, which is why there is a particular risk of deficiency among vegetarians. In order to maintain health, only a small amount is required and it can be contained in muscle and organ meat, fish and certain sea vegetables.
Selenium
Selenium is a vital micromineral that comes into the body through food. It’s needed in a small amount in the body. Selenium helps the body form special proteins called antioxidant enzymes. They play a role in the prevention of cell damage. Selenium also helps to prevent certain cancers by protecting the body from the toxic effects of heavy metals and other harmful substances. Dietary selenium exists in nature in the following food sources; whole grain cereals, wheat, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, eggs, organ meats, garlic, mushroom and seafoods.
Manganese
Manganese is a micromineral that is a dietary essential for animals. It is widespread in the body but is concentrated in bone and liver. Manganese is essential for the maintenance and production of the organic bone matrix mucopolysaccharide. Manganese is therefore essential for bone formation and health. As a result, manganese-deficient animals have normal tendon growth but slow or abnormal bone growth. Manganese is also an important cofactor for many enzymes that catalyze the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Many skeletal abnormalities are associated with manganese deficiency and are related to mucopolysaccharide synthesis by default such as lameness, shortening and bowing of the legs and enlarging of the joints. Dietary manganese exists in nature in a wide variety of foods, including whole grains, clams, oysters, mussels, nuts, soybeans and other legumes, rice, leafy vegetables, coffee, tea, and many spices, such as black pepper. Drinking water also contains small amounts of manganese at concentrations of 1 to 100 mcg/L
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a very important micromineral. It works to break down proteins and other substances in the body. It is a vital mineral in the body, just like iron and magnesium. It is present in the soil and transferred to the diet when the individual consumes plants, as well as the animals that feed on those plants. There are very few data on the specific molybdenum content of certain foods, as this depends on the soil content. Although the quantities vary, the richest sources are usually beans, lentils, grains and organ meat, particularly liver and kidney. Poorer sources include other animal products, fruit and many vegetables.
Common Micromineral Nutrients Deficiencies
Six micro mineral nutrients (MMNs), i.e. iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron and molybdenum, are common essential nutrients in plants, animals and humans. Of these, the deficiencies of iron and zinc in humans and of zinc, manganese and copper in animals are widespread. Approximately one-third of the world’s human population, mostly in developing countries, is prone to Iron and Zinc malnutrition. Clinical symptoms of Iron deficiency in humans include anaemia, fatigue, dizziness, decreased intellectual progress and reduced work capacity.
Clinical symptoms of Zinc deficiency in humans include diarrhoea, infant pneumonia and child growth retardation. There are two approaches to the improvement of Iron and Zinc deficiency, namely nutraceutical and biofortification. Nutraceutical approach includes pharmaceutical or dietary supplementation of Iron/Zinc or dietary diversification. Genetically or agronomically, the biofortification of cereal grains or other foods can be achieved.
