General characteristics of microminerals

Numerous microminerals or trace elements are present in minute amounts in body tissue and are essential for optimum human growth, heath and development. They consist of iodine, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, cobalt and selenium.

The required intake of each micromineral is less than 100 milligrams per day, and the total body content of these minerals is less than 5 grams.

Despite found as traces they are essential for maintaining normal metabolism. The trace minerals are used in the synthesis of vitamins, hormone production, enzymatic activity, collagen formation, tissue synthesis, oxygen transport and many other physiological processes related to growth, health and reproduction.

Trace elements exist in two forms: as charge ions or bound to proteins. Each element had different chemical properties that become critical in to significant role in cells or extracellular compartments.

In blood and other tissue and cellular fluids the trace elements do not exist in the free ionic state; they are typically bound to transporting or holding proteins.

Many enzymes require small amounts of one or more trace metals for full activity. Microminerals are involved in many enzyme systems, which make efficient use of the main metabolic dietary nutrients e.g. energy substances, fiber and protein.
General characteristics of microminerals