What is a trace element? Required microelements for the human body

The human body is a complex mechanism in which everything is interconnected. A special place in this system is occupied by microelements, the lack of which can provoke the development of serious health problems. Therefore it is important to know what a microelement is and what role it plays in the body. Let us consider in more detail the sources and the necessary quantity of basic nutrients.

What is a trace element?

Everyone who is interested in a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition was interested in the meaning of the word "microelement". These substances are a group of chemical elements, consisting of metals and non-metals. In the body, they contain very little - less than 0.001% per 1 kg of body weight. Despite such miserable values, this amount is sufficient to maintain the performance of all systems.

Microelements along with vitamins are necessary for the body every day, because the productive work of all systems and organs depends on this. Chemicals participate in metabolic processes as catalysts and activators. Therefore, their stocks must be replenished regularly.

Benefits of microelements for the body

The correct balance of microelements - a pledge of well-being and working capacity of the body. It is necessary to know that the chemical substances are not produced by the system on their own and come only from the outside. They are able to concentrate in various organs, for example, the pancreas is the "habitat" of zinc, and the kidneys are cadmium. This phenomenon is called selective concentration. In other systems, tissues and organs, chemical elements are also present, but in a smaller amount.

What is a trace element? This is primarily the basis for normal growth of the body. Thousands of chemicals are responsible for the formation of the cardiovascular and central nervous system in the period of intrauterine development.

Effect on Immunity

Essential trace elements are responsible for the normal functioning of the immune system. Their stocks are especially important to replenish in the summer season, eating vegetables, fruits, and also in winter, introducing in the diet dried apricots, raisins, nuts.

Immunotoxic chemical compounds have the opposite effect and negatively affect the protective system. Unfortunately, each person falls under their influence every day. A huge number of harmful substances that emit various industrial production, is in the air. People who live in large cities suffer more. Excess of harmful microelements threatens serious health problems.

Main trace elements

In the human body, there is practically the entire periodic table, but only 22 chemical elements are considered basic. They perform various functions and participate in the metabolism. Every day a person needs many trace elements, examples of which are given below. It:

• Iodine.
• Iron.
• Calcium.
• Zinc.
• Copper.
• Manganese.
• Molybdenum.
• Phosphorus.
• Magnesium.
• Selenium.

You can get the necessary trace elements first of all from food. As an additional source are medical products - complexes of vitamins and minerals.

What is the shortage of microelements?

Useful micronutrients should enter the body at all times. This is necessary for the normal operation of internal organs and systems. Insufficient intake of substances can occur against a background of poor nutrition, large blood loss, an unfavorable ecological situation. Lack of vital chemical compounds is fraught with the development of serious disorders and pathologies. The most common problems include deterioration of the hair, nails, skin, excess weight, diabetes, cardiovascular and digestive tract diseases, and allergies.

Deficiency of microelements reflects on the condition of bone tissue, joints, which confirms the rapid "rejuvenation" of diseases such as arthritis, osteochondrosis, scoliosis. Experts argue that a frequent cause of infertility, violations of the monthly cycle and problems with potency is the low content of certain trace elements in the body.

Symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies

Diseases associated with acute shortages of useful chemicals are called microelements. If the body needs any elements, it will certainly report it. For a person, in turn, it is important to make timely "signals" and take measures to eliminate the deficit. First of all, you should pay attention to the state of the nervous system. Constant fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, depression indicate a problem.

Symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies also include:

• Slow hair growth.
• Dryness and pallor of the skin .
• Muscle weakness.
• Fragility of nails.
• Tooth decay.
• Failures in the heart rhythm.
• Development of autoimmune pathologies (lupus erythematosus).
• Problems with memory.
• Disturbances in the digestive system.

These signs are only part of the manifestations of the pathological condition. In order to determine which micronutrients are necessary for the body, it will be necessary to undergo a laboratory test. The material for diagnosis can be the hair, nails, blood of the patient. Such an analysis is often prescribed to determine the causes of pathologies of gynecological, urological, cardiovascular and therapeutic nature.

Why does the body need iodine?

Having dealt with what a microelement is, you need to pay attention to the most important chemical substances for the human body. Iodine is one of the main elements regulating the work of all organs and systems. More precisely, it is necessary for the thyroid gland, responsible for the processes of metabolism, the nervous system and hormone production of thyroxine.

Reduced immunity and problems with obesity are the main signs of iodine deficiency. Deficiency of the element can cause growth of thyroid gland (goiter disease), hypothyroidism, and backwardness in mental development.

Iron

For the processes of hematopoiesis and the supply of cells and tissues with oxygen, there also corresponds a certain trace element - iron. In the body it contains about 0.005%. Despite such a small amount without this element, no one can exist. Iron is involved in the formation of erythrocytes and lymphocytes, transfers oxygen, forms immunity. Metal is a part of enzymes that interfere with oxidative processes in the body, it is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses, physical development and growth.

It should be borne in mind that excess iron also adversely affects the body. The development of diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, liver and heart pathologies, digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhea, nausea) can be caused by an elevated element content. It is almost impossible to get rid of it from the body without the help of specialists.

Deficiency of iron is most often manifested in the form of anemia, a lower level of hemoglobin in the blood. Also the skin suffers, there is dryness, cracks on the heels, a constant feeling of fatigue, dizziness.

The role of zinc

This chemical element is involved in virtually all processes that occur in the body. Zinc is necessary for the immune system, growth and proper development, affects the production of insulin, participates in the functioning of the sexual glands in men. Lack of a mineral substance is often found in elderly people who have lost taste sensitivity and smell weakly. To maintain the working capacity of the body per day, it is necessary to obtain at least 12 mg of zinc. Replenish its stocks will help vegetables, fruits, dairy products (especially cheese), cereals, dried seeds and nuts.

Manganese

Important for the human body is a trace element called manganese. It is necessary for the nervous system, promotes the transfer of impulses, strengthens the immune system, regulates the processes of the gastrointestinal tract. Without this chemical element, vitamins are poorly digested, eye pathologies develop. It has been established that manganese is an excellent prophylaxis for diabetes, and in the presence of an illness it significantly hampers its further development. The mineral is needed for sugar processing, so patients suffering from diabetes should be consumed in large quantities.

What is the danger of magnesium deficiency?

The body of a healthy person contains about 20 g of magnesium. The element is involved in the processes of protein synthesis, it is necessary for the brain to work and to maintain the proper functioning of the immune system. The lack of magnesium can be determined by frequent convulsions. Scientists came to the conclusion that another important element - calcium - can not be properly absorbed by the body without magnesium. Preparations to strengthen bone tissue will not do any good if the system is deficient in a second substance.

Most people who have a history of cardiovascular disease and disorders in the work of the nervous system, suffer from a lack of magnesium.

Microelements in foods

Doctors recommend to diversify the daily diet of cereals, which contain almost all the necessary trace elements. Examples of the positive effects of these products can be observed with the naked eye: the skin condition improves, the weight and work of the digestive organs normalizes. The greatest benefit will be the use of whole grains (brown rice, millet, buckwheat groats). The ideal product for breakfast is oatmeal, which contains the necessary amount of the main trace elements.

To normalize the level of trace elements, you need to eat some foods. It:

• Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts.
• Pumpkin seeds.
• Avocados, bananas, apples, citrus fruits.
• Peas, corn, beans.
• Sea kale.
• Fish and seafood.
• Dairy.
• Beef and pork liver, heart, kidneys.

Proper and balanced nutrition is a good prevention of the development of microelementosis.