This document discusses trace elements and microminerals that are essential for human nutrition. It defines trace elements as minerals needed in small amounts like iron, iodine, fluorine, zinc and copper. It outlines the functions, dietary requirements and sources of these key microminerals. It further describes deficiencies that can arise from inadequate intake of minerals like iron-deficiency anemia and iodine deficiency disorders. The document concludes with highlighting national programs in place for prevention and control of micromineral deficiencies in populations.

1. TRACE
ELEMENTS
Dr Bushra Jabeen
18/01/2020

2. Nutrition – it is that branch of science, which deals with
the study of dynamic process, in which the consumed food is
utilized for nourishing the body
( A PROCESS OF ASSIMILATION OF FOOD)

3. Macronutrients:
-Proteins (7-15 %)
-Fats (10-30 %)
-Carbohydrates (65-80 %)
Micronutrients:
-Vitamins
-Minerals
Organic and inorganic complexes contained in food
are called nutrients
Classification of nutrients
3

4. MINERALS
Major minerals :-
Calcium
Phosphorus
Sodium
Potassium
magnesium
Trace elements :-
Iron
Iodine
Fluorine
Zinc
Copper
Trace contaminants :-
Lead
Mercury
Barium
Boron
Aluminium
4

5. Trace elements
• Iron, iodine, fluorine, zinc, copper,
cobalt, chromium, selenium,
molybdenum and manganese
Essential trace
elements
• Nickel, vanadium, cadmium and
barium
Possibly
essential trace
elements
• Aluminium, lead, mercury, boron,
silver, bismuth etc.
Non essential
trace elements

6. IRON
One way substance

7. IRON
• 3-4 grams in body
• 60-70 % in blood
• 1g Hb = 3.34 mg iron
Functions :
 Hemoglobin formation
 Brain development
 Temperature regulation
 Muscle activity
 Catecholamine metabolism
7

8. Dietary requirements
◦ Adult man – 10 mg/day
◦ Menstruating woman – 18 mg/ day
◦ Pregnant and lactating woman – 40 mg/day

9. Rich
source
• Organ meats
Good
source
• Leafy vegetables
• Pulses
• Cereals
• Fish
Poor
source
• Milk
• Wheat
• Polished rice
Sources

10. Absorption, transportation and storage

11. Iron losses :
1 mg daily (12.5 mg/ 28 days)
Iron deficiency :
o Decreased storage
o Latent iron deficiency
o Overt iron deficiency
• Nutritional anemia
• Impaired immunity
• Diminished work performance
11
Hemosiderosis: excessive iron in the body
Hemochromatosis: iron is directly deposited in the tissues.

12. • Weakness, easy fatigability, lethargy
• Immuno-compromised
• Diminished physical and mental capacity
• Reduced work capacity, reduced endurance
General
• Weakness, diminished physical and mental capacity,
• Increased morbidity
• Increased risk of low birth baby, abortion, premature delivery, intra-
uterine growth retardation,
• Congenial fetal malformations, PPH, maternal mortality
Pregnant and Lactating Women
• Low birth weight, Perinatal mortality,
• Impaired cognitive performance and motor development,
• Psychological and behavioral effects
• Inattention, fatigue and insecurity
Children
Consequences of Anaemia . . .
12

13.  Breastfeeding and appropriate weaning
 Dietary modification
 Deworming
 Nutrition education
 Iron supplementation & Iron fortification
Prevention & control
13

14. National Nutritional Anemia
Prophylaxis Program (NNAPP)
- Initiated in 1970.
- Prophylactic doses of iron and folic acid tablets distributed to
high risk groups by the local health workers.
- Food fortification and dietary diversification.
- Infants between 6 and 12 months, school children 6 to 10 year
old and adolescents 11 to 18 years old included in this program.
14
For children 6 to 60 months ferrous sulphate and folic acid are to be provided in a liquid
formulation containing 20 mg elemental iron and 100 mcg folic acid per ml of liquid formulation.

15. IODINE

16. Iodine deficiency disorder
16

17. IODINE
• 20 mg in body
• 80 % in thyroid gland
Functions :
 Synthesis of thyroxine and triiodothyronine
17

18. Sources & Dietary requirements
Adult man – 100 - 150 μg/day
Pregnant woman – 200 μg/day

19. Absorption
• 30% small
intestine
• Skin and lungs
Storage
• 80% as iodo-
thyroglobulin in
thyroid gland
Excretion
• Kidney
• Saliva, bile,
skin and milk
(in lactating
women)

20. Pregnancy
Spontaneous Abortion,
Still births
Fetus
Abortions
Still births
Congenital anomalies
Increased perinatal
mortality
Increased infant mortality
Infant
Neurological Cretinism
Mental deficiency
Deaf mutism
Spastic diplegia
Squint
Myxedematous
Cretinism
Dwarfism
Psychomotor defects
Neonate
Neonatal goitre
Neonatal hypothyroidism
SPECTRUM OF IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDERS
Child and
adolescent
Goiter,
Juvenile hypothyroidism
Impaired mental function
Subnormal intelligence (loss
of 10 to 15 IQ points)
Retarded physical development
Delayed motor milestones
Hearing and speech defects
Stunting and muscle disorder
Adult
Goitre and its complications
Hypothyroidism
Lack of energy
Impaired mental function
Lowered productivity
Animal
Reproductive failure
Decreased yield of milk, egg,
etc.
20

21. Under the National IDD Control Programme
four main components are :
1.Use of Iodized salt or oil
2. Iodine monitoring
3. Manpower training
4. Mass communication
Prevention & control
21

22. FLUORINE
Double edged sword

23. FLUORINE
• Found in bones and teeth
Functions :
 Prevents development of dental caries
 Development of bones
 Inhibits activities of certain enzymes
23

24. Dietary requirements & Sources
Intake of less than 2 ppm.

25. Intake absorption and excretion

26. Fluoride consumption
Water Food Toothpaste Air pollution etc.
Higher concentration in ground waters than surface waters
The optimum concentration for drinking purpose is 0.5 to 0.8 mg/L (ppm)
but the permissible upper limit is 1.5 mg/L (1.5 ppm).
‘A double edged sword’.
fluorine
26

27. fluoride
Excess Deficiency
Fluorosis Caries
(< 0.5 ppm )
- Dental fluorosis
(> 1.5 ppm, 0-7 yrs of life)
- Skeletal fluorosis
(> 10 ppm)
Health problem in rural districts of Andhra Pradesh (esp. Nellore, Nalgonda and Prakasham districts), Haryana, Karnataka,
Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
27

28. Prevention & control
 Change in water source
 Defluoridation—The Nalgonda Technique
(lime and alum precipitation)
 Prohibit fluoride fortified water (0.5–0.8 ppm)/
toothpaste in endemic areas
28

29. ZINC

30. ZINC
• Total content in body is 2g
• Intracellular element
• Found in prostate gland, pancrease and brain
30

31. Functions :
• Component of more than 300 enzymes
• Antioxidant
• Storage and secretion of insulin
• Promotes synthesis of retinol binding protein
• Wound healing
• Main content of Gusten protein
• Essential for growth of foaetus

32. Dietary requirements & Sources
◦ 10 – 15 mg/ day
◦ Increases by 50% in pregnancy and lactation.

33. Intake absorption and excretion

35. COPPER

36. COPPER
• 100 – 150 mg in adult body
36

37. Functions :
 Essential component of enzyme
 Synthesis of hemoglobin
 Lysyl oxidase is necessary for cross linking structural
proteins
 Ceruloplasmin
 Synthesis of melanin and phospholipid
 Development of bones and nervous system

38. Dietary requirements & Sources
◦ Adults –
◦ 2 to 3 mg/day
◦ Infants and children –
◦ 0.5 to 2 mg/day

39. Intake absorption and excretion

41. Cobalt
Important as constituent of vitamin B12.
Functions are same as that of vit B12.
Stimulates production of hormone erythropoietin.
Prolonged administration results in polycythemia.

44. Molybdenum
Constituent of enzymes
Absorbed in small intestine
Excess absorption of molybdenum has been shown to
produce bony deformities.
Deficiency of molybdenum is associated with mouth and
oesophageal cancer.

46. 46
Summary box - Microminerals

47. References
1. K. Park; textbook of preventive and social medicine; 24th edition.
2. Textbook of public health & community medicine 1st edition;
AFMC Pune (2009); Ashok K. Jindal, Puja Dudeja.
3. Satyanarayana, U. (2008). Biochemistry. 3rd ed. Kolkata: Books and
allied (P) Ltd.
4. Minerals [Internet]. Linus Pauling Institute. 2020 [cited 17 January
2020]. Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals