This document discusses several important trace minerals, including their functions, dietary sources, requirements, deficiencies, and toxicity. It covers iron, delivering oxygen and being part of hemoglobin and myoglobin; increased needs during pregnancy and infancy. Iodine is part of thyroid hormones and necessary for thyroid function. Zinc is essential for growth and healing. Copper aids iron transport and energy production. Fluoride increases resistance to tooth decay and strengthens teeth and bones. Mineral deficiencies can cause anemia and other issues, while excesses can be toxic. Overall trace minerals are necessary to promote growth and regulate bodily processes.

2. Trace Minerals:
Iron (Fe)
- Delivers oxygen to body tissues
- Component of hemoglobin
- Component of myoglobin, (a protein
compound in muscles that provides
oxygen to cells)
- Used by enzymes in making amino acids,
hormones, and neurotransmitters

3. Iron Sources
- Meat, poultry, and fish are the best
sources of iron.
- In addition to whole-grain cereals,
enriched grain products, vegetables and
fruit.

4. RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDAs) for Iron)
- Doubled during pregnancy; difficult to
meet by diet alone
- Iron supplement commonly prescribed
during pregnancy.
- Increased need during infancy and teens

5. Iron Deficiency
Causes
- Insufficient intake, malabsorption, lack of
stomach acid, or excessive blood loss
- Most common nutrient deficiency
worldwide is iron-deficiency anemia

6. Symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- And spoon-shaped fingernails

8. Iron Excess
Indicates accumulation of iron in the body
Causes:
The most important causes are:
- Hereditary haemochromatosis (HHC)
- A genetic disorder
- And transfusional iron overload which
can result from repeated blood transfusion

9. Hemochromatosis
- Is a condition resulting from an congenital
error of metabolism that causes excessive
absorption of iron.
- Untreated, can damage liver, spleen, and
heart.

10. Iodine (I)
- Part of thyroid hormones {thyroxine (T4),
and triiodothyronine (T3)}
- Necessary for the normal functioning of
the thyroid gland.

11. - Additional amounts needed during
pregnancy and lactation
- Lack of iodine results in decrease in
thyroxine and triiodothyronine
- Lack of iodine cause disease called a
goiter.

13. Iodine Sources include :
- Iodized salt
- Seafood
- And some plant foods grown in soil
bordering the sea

14. Zinc (Zn)
- Cofactor for more than 300 enzymes
- Essential for growth, wound healing,
taste acuity, glucose tolerance, and
mobilization of vitamin A within the body
Sources include:
- Meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, wheat
germ, and legumes

15. - Increased requirements during pregnancy
and lactation
Symptoms of deficiency include:
- Decreased appetite - Delayed growth
- Decreased taste acuity - Anemia
- Poor wound healing - Dwarfism
- Impaired immune response

16. Copper (Cu)
- Found in all tissues; heaviest
concentration in the liver, kidneys,
muscles, and brain
- Helps in formation of hemoglobin
- Aids in transport of iron to bone marrow
for the formation of red blood cells
- And participates in energy production

17. Copper Sources Include:
- Organ meats, shellfish, legumes, nuts,
cocoa, whole-grain cereals, and human
milk
- Deficiency is rare.

18. Copper excess:
- Excess is highly toxic
- Wilson’s disease is agenetic disorder in
which copper accumulates in tissues
causing damage to liver cells and neurons.

19. Fluoride (F)
Functions:
- Increases resistance to dental caries
- And may strengthen teeth and bones
Sources of Fluoride include:
- Fluoridated water, Fish, tea and
commercially prepared foods with
fluoridated water.

20. Fluoride deficiency:
- Can result in increased tooth decay.
Fluoride Excess:
- Can cause permanent discoloration or
mottling of children’s teeth.

21. Conclusion
- Megadoses of minerals are dangerous.
- Minerals are necessary to promote growth
and regulate body processes.
- Minerals originate in soil and water and
are ingested via food and drink.
- Deficiencies can result in anemia, rickets,
and goiter.
- Excess can be toxic, resulting in hair loss
and changes in nearly all body tissues.