Micronutrients and minerals

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Mark Beattie ◽  
Anil Dhawan ◽  
John W.L. Puntis
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Vitamin Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin Supplementation ◽  
Mineral Deficiency ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Infants And Young Children

• Vitamin deficiency 58• Mineral deficiency 61• Trace element deficiency 62• Vitamin supplementation for infants and young children 64The term ‘micronutrients’ includes two main classes of nutrient substances required in the diet in very small amounts: the essential organic micronutrients (vitamins) and the essential inorganic micronutrients (trace elements). Vitamin and mineral deficiencies may complicate malnutrition arising from underlying disease or inadequate diet. Key features are given below. However, micronutrients have wide-ranging effects, far beyond the simple prevention of deficiency states....

Trace Element Deficiency and Cot Deaths

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Raie ◽  
H. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Normal Adult ◽  
Toxic Trace Elements ◽  
Essential Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency

The level of 10 trace elements (As, Br, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn) in infant tissues (5 cot deaths, 4 other causes) are presented. These levels are compared with the normal adult levels for the same area or with the levels presented in the literature. The concentrations of 5 trace elements (As, Cu, Hg, Mn, Se) in human milk and 4 brands of artificial milks are also given and the intake of these trace elements from human and artificial milk for infants up to the age of 6 months is calculated. It is concluded that some artificial milks contain less of some essential trace elements (e.g. Cu and Se) and are richer in toxic trace elements (e.g. Hg and As). The suggestion of deficiency of the reported trace elements as a cause of cot deaths is rejected.

3.2 The Role of Dose-Response Trials in Predicting Trace Element Deficiency Disorders

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Phillippo
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Animal Body ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency ◽  
The One

The symptoms of trace element deficiency arise from the combined effects of the different lesions provoked within the animal body. Since a variety of different lesions have been described, many of which affect inter-related systems, it is not surprising that diverse symptoms may arise even from the one trace element deficiency; nor that similar symptoms may be caused by deficiencies of different trace elements. The major effects of trace element deficiencies on body functions have been outlined in Table 3.2.1 (from Underwood, 1980).

2.2 Genetic Variation in Trace Element Metabolism

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
G. Wiener ◽  
J. A. Woolliams
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Alternative Strategy ◽  
Animal Nutrition ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency ◽  
Trace Element Metabolism

This paper reviews evidence showing that heredity is involved in the utilization of trace elements by animals. Underwood (1981) has stressed the importance of achieving dietary balance in the provision of minerals in animal nutrition and Howell (1983) has emphasized that although a small amount of a trace element may be essential for health a larger amount could be injurious. In these circumstances, information which can be used to meet the essential requirements for trace elements more precisely is likely to help in optimizing animal performance and avoiding risks to health and life. An understanding of the role of heredity in influencing trace element requirements is important in this context. Genetic variation in requirements also suggests the possibility that genetic solutions to trace element deficiency or toxicity problems may provide an alternative strategy to prophylaxis and other nutritional and management aids.

Trace elements in animals

1979 ◽  
Vol 288 (1026) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Trace Element Content ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency ◽  
Definition Of

Trace element deficiency and toxicity in animals induces a wide variety of clinical effects although few are sufficiently specific to permit diagnosis without supporting investigation of changes in tissue trace element content or of the activity of metabolic processes influenced by trace element supply. Study of such trace element dependent processes has shown that extensive changes often arise before overt signs of disease appear. Some of these subclinical effects have pathological consequences and thus cannot be ignored when seeking correlations between geochemical anomalies and disease incidence. Many past estimates of the quantitative requirements of animals for the essential trace elements are imprecise. Although recent work is providing clearer definition of requirements, many common dietary components have a marked influence upon the efficiency with which such elements can be utilized from the diet. Recent evidence indicates that such antagonists influence both the absorption and the subsequent fate of essential and toxic elements in body tissues and these processes have to be taken into account when investigating the aetiology of disorders believed to be attributable to anomalies in trace element supply. Their existence is not always detectable if attention is confined to the trace element analysis of body tissues or to the nature ofclinical lesions. Provided the complexity of soil-plant-animal relations with respect to trace element supply is fully recognized in the interpretation of data, the geochemical approach to the initial recognition of areas associated with a high risk of anomalies in trace element supply to animals and man has considerable potential value. This is already apparent from investigations upon the incidence of trace element problems in animals. As yet, its validity for similar purposes in man is less fully established.

Some outstanding problems in the detection of trace element deficiency diseases

1981 ◽  
Vol 294 (1071) ◽  
pp. 199-213 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Metabolic Defects ◽  
Essential Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency ◽  
Deficiency Diseases ◽  
Rate Limiting

Knowledge of the functional roles of many essential trace elements has grown rapidly. Despite this, it is rarely possible to relate this information to observed pathological consequences of deficiency. Few studies of the effect of deficiency upon enzyme activity have attempted to determine whether such changes influence substrate-product relations and thus may have pathological significance. Evidence that the differing susceptibility of tissues to deficiency may reflect metabolic activity or the lifespan of cells and their organelles is considered. The need is growing for more effective biochemical diagnostic techniques for the early detection of covert pathological changes in trace element deficient subjects. Progress towards satisfying this need will reflect the future availability of information from which to predict the nature of rate-limiting metabolic defects in sensitive populations of cells.

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