Dietary mineral 235195 224273945 2008-07-08T02:50:29Z Paleorthid 125638 /* References */ replace redlinked [[category:food chemistry]] w/ [[category:food science]] {{portal|Food}} '''Dietary minerals''' are the [[chemical element]]s required by living [[organism]]s, other than the four elements [[carbon]], [[hydrogen]], [[nitrogen]], and [[oxygen]] which are present in common [[organic chemistry|organic molecules]]. The term "mineral" is [[archaism|archaic]], since the intent of the definition is to describe [[ion]]s, not [[chemical compound]]s or actual [[mineral]]s. Furthermore, once dissolved, so-called minerals do not exist as such, sodium chloride breaks down into sodium ions and chloride ions in [[aqueous solution]]. Some [[dietitian]]s recommend that these heavier elements should be supplied by ingesting specific foods (that are enriched in the element(s) of interest), compounds, and sometimes including even minerals, such as [[calcium carbonate]]. Sometimes these "minerals" come from natural sources such as ground [[oyster]] shells. Sometimes minerals are added to the diet separately from food, such as mineral supplements, the most famous being [[iodine]] in "[[iodized salt]]." Dirt eating, called [[pica (disorder)|pica]] or [[geophagy]] is hypothesized to be a means of supplementing the diet with elements, but this has not been verified <ref name=pmid15049460>{{cite journal |author=Nchito M, Geissler PW, Mubila L, Friis H, Olsen A |title=Effects of iron and multimicronutrient supplementation on geophagy: a two-by-two factorial study among Zambian schoolchildren in Lusaka |journal=Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. |volume=98 |issue=4 |pages=218–27 |year=2004 |pmid=15049460|doi=10.1016/S0035-9203(03)00045-2}}</ref>. The chemical composition of soils will vary depending on the location. [[Vitamin]]s, which are not considered minerals, are [[organic compound]]s, some of which contain heavy elements such as iodine and cobalt. The dietary focus on "minerals" derives from an interest in supporting the biosynthetic apparatus with the required elemental components.<ref name=lipp>{{Cite book | publisher = University Science Books | isbn = 0935702725 | pages = 411 | last = Lippard | first = Stephen J. | coauthors = Jeremy M. Berg | title = Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry |date=1994 | location=Mill Valley, CA }}</ref> Appropriate intake levels of certain chemical elements is thus required to maintain optimal health. Commonly, the requirements are met with a conventional diet. Excessive intake of any element (again, usually as an ion) will lead to poisoning. For example, large doses of selenium are lethal. On the other hand, large doses of zinc are less dangerous but can lead to a harmful copper deficiency (unless compensated for, as in the [[Age-Related Eye Disease Study]]). Dietary minerals classified as "macromineral" are required in relatively large amounts. Conversely "microminerals" or "trace minerals" are required relatively in minute amounts. There is no universally accepted definition of the difference between "large" and "small" amounts. [[Image:Periodic table of the chemical elements (1-118)Dietary minerals.PNG|thumb|250px|right|Firm evidence for a natural biological role of V, Cr, F, B, Al, Si, and As in human health is lacking.]] == Essential minerals == At least seven minerals are required to support biochemical processes, many playing a role as [[electrolyte]]s or in cell structure and function.<ref>{{Cite book | edition = 3 Har/Com | publisher = W. H. Freeman | isbn = 1572599316 | pages = 1200 | last = Nelson | first = David L. | coauthors = Michael M. Cox | title = Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Third Edition |date=2000-02-15 }}</ref> In [[human nutrition]], the dietary bulk "mineral elements" ([[Recommended Dietary Allowance|RDA]] > 200 mg/day) are in alphabetical order (parenthetical comments on folk medicine perspective): * [[Calcium]] (for muscle, heart and digestive system health, builds bone, neutralizes acidity, supports synthesis and function of blood cells) * [[Chloride]] (for production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and in cellular pump functions) * [[Magnesium]] is required for processing [[Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]] and related reactions (health, builds bone, increases alkalinity) * [[Phosphorus]] is a component of bones (see [[apatite]]) and energy processing and many other functions (bone mineralization)<ref>{{Cite book | edition = 5th | publisher = Elsevier Science Pub Co | isbn = 0444893075 | pages = 1220 | last = Corbridge | first = D. E. C. | title = Phosphorus: An Outline of Its Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Technology | location = Amsterdam |date=1995-02-01 }}</ref> * [[Potassium]] is a systemic [[electrolyte]] and is essential in coregulating [[Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]] with sodium * [[Sodium]] is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating [[Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]] with potassium == Trace minerals == Numerous minerals are required in trace amounts and are usually [[cofactor (biochemistry)|cofactors]] for [[enzymes]].<ref name=lipp/> Some trace mineral elements (RDA < 200 mg/day) are (alphabetical order):{{Fact|date=June 2007}} * [[Cobalt]] is required for biosynthesis of [[vitamin B12]] family of [[coenzyme]]s * [[Copper]] is required component of many redox enzymes, including [[cytochrome c oxidase]] * [[Fluorine]] participates in formation of [[tooth enamel]] which contains [[fluoroapatite]] (see [[Water fluoridation]]) * [[Iodine]] is required for the biosynthesis of [[thyroxine]] * [[Iron]] is required for many proteins and enzymes, notably [[hemoglobin]] * [[Manganese]] is a cofactor in function of [[antioxidant]] enzymes such as [[superoxide dismutase]] * [[Molybdenum]] is required for [[xanthine oxidase]] and related oxidases * [[Nickel]] is present in [[urease]] * [[Selenium]] is required for [[peroxidase]] (antioxidant proteins) * [[Sulfur]] is an essential component of [[cysteine]] and [[methionine]] [[amino acids]] and participates as an enzyme cofactor * [[Zinc]] is pervasive and required for several enzymes such as [[carboxypeptidase]], [[liver alcohol dehydrogenase]], [[carbonic anhydrase]] == Other trace minerals == Many elements have been suggested as required in human nutrition, but such claims have usually not been scientifically proven. One problem with identifying efficacy is because many elements are innocuous at low concentrations, so proof of efficacy is lacking. Definitive evidence for efficacy comes from characterization of a biomolecule with an identifiable and testable function. Of the many trace elements still lacking solid proof, [[chromium]] is often cited.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Stearns DM |title=Is chromium a trace essential metal? |journal=Biofactors |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=149–62 |year=2000 |pmid=10875302}}</ref> Chromium(III) is implicated in sugar metabolism in humans, leading to a market for [[chromium picolinate]]. * [[Vanadium]] (There is no established RDA for vanadium. No specific biochemical function has been identified for it in humans, although vanadium is found in other organisms) <!--* [[Boron]] (Increases bone density){{Fact|date=December 2007}}--> <!--* [[Bromine]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}--> <!--* [[Indium]] implicated to enhance the absorption of all other minerals in a healthful matter.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} It may also help the healthy mineralization of organs.<ref name="pmid1249646">{{cite journal |author=Schroeder HA, Nason AP |title=Interactions of trace metals in mouse and rat tissues; zinc, chromium, copper, and manganese with 13 other elements |journal=J. Nutr. |volume=106 |issue=2 |pages=198–203 |year=1976 |pmid=1249646 |doi=}}</ref>--> <!--* [[Rubidium]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}--> <!--* [[Silicon]] is implicated bone and cartilage formation.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} --> <!--* [[Titanium]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}--> <!--* [[Tungsten]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}} (some organisms utlilize tungsten in place of molybdenum.)--> == Food sources == * [[Dairy product]]s, [[calcium|calcium-fortified food]]s, [[fish (food)|canned fish with bone]]s (salmon, sardines), and [[green leafy vegetable]]s for calcium * [[nut (fruit)|Nut]]s, [[soy bean]]s, and [[cocoa]] for magnesium * [[Table salt]] (sodium chloride, the main source), [[sea vegetable]]s, [[olive]]s, [[milk]], and [[spinach]] for sodium * [[Legume]]s, [[potato skin]], [[tomato]]es, and [[banana]]s for potassium * Table salt is the main dietary source for chlorine * [[Meat]], [[egg (food)|egg]]s, and [[legume]]s for sulfur * [[Red meat]], [[leafy green vegetable]]s, [[fish (food)|fish]] (tuna, salmon), [[egg (food)|egg]]s, [[dried fruit]]s, [[bean]]s, [[whole grain]]s, and [[enriched grain]]s for iron == See also == *[[Macronutrient]] *[[Essential nutrient]] == External links == * [http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group29/intronut.htm Metals in Nutrition] * [http://www.b-visible.co.uk/article/minerals.html The Minerals in Your Food] ==References== {{reflist|2}} {{Food chemistry}} {{Dietary supplement}} {{Mineral supplements}} [[Category:Dietary minerals|*]] [[Category:Nutrition]] [[Category:Food science]] [[ca:Oligoelement]] [[de:Mineralstoff]] [[eo:Oligoelemento]] [[es:Oligoelemento]] [[fr:Oligo-élément]] [[hu:Ásványi anyagok]] [[it:Sali minerali]] [[he:מינרל (תזונה)]] [[ja:ミネラル]] [[nl:Sporenelement]] [[no:Mineral (ernæring)]] [[pl:Znaczenie biologiczne pierwiastków]] [[pt:Sais minerais]] [[ru:Микроэлемент]] [[simple:Dietary mineral]] [[th:เกลือแร่]] [[vi:Vi lượng tố]] [[zh:礦物質]]