Trace elements in nutrition

Trace elements are also known as micronutrients and are found only in minute quantities in the body – yet they are vitally important. The quantities in which they are found are so small, that they can only be detected by spectrographic methods or by using radioactive elements.

On this page:

• All trace elements involved in human nutrition.

Our diets, consisting of more and more refined foods are causing concern that modern man is not receiving enough of these trace elements in his food sources, and dietary supplements may be of use in combating this shortage.

The interaction of these micro-nutrients are difficult to study, since they are found occurring together in various forms and amounts in the diet, and their absorption from the intestinal tract may be dependent on their relative concentrations, and might be synergetic or antagonistic, and the amount could depend on the amount of other essential trace elements in the diet.

Essential nutritional elements

To decide whether a micronutrient is “essential” or not, a wide variety of criteria is used, such as the presence of the nutrient in healthy tissue, if it appears in the fetus and newborns and if the body maintains homeostatic control over its uptake in the bloodstream or tissue and its excretion.

The following are considered essential micronutrients: cobalt, copper, chromium, fluorine, iron, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc.

On the other hand, nickel, tin, vanadium, silicon, boron have recently been found as important micronutrients, whereas aluminum, arsenic, barium, bismuth, bromine, cadmium, germanium, gold, lead, lithium, mercury, rubidium, silver, strontium, titanium and zirconium is all found in plant and animal tissue, yet their importance is still being determined.

To view detailed information on any specific element listed underneath, please click the appropriate hyperlink:

Nutritional information

Underneath we have information page on vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace elements, enzymes and various nutritional compounds that can impact greatly on your general health, well-being and longevity. Please note that these pages are for general information only and must not be used to treat or diagnose health concerns.