This document discusses trace elements in the human body. It defines trace elements as chemicals present in very small amounts, usually less than 0.1% by volume. Trace elements are classified as nutritionally essential, probably essential, or potentially toxic. Nutritionally essential elements, like iron, copper, zinc and selenium, contribute to vital functions and must be obtained through diet as the body cannot synthesize them. Excess consumption can be toxic. Probably essential elements include manganese and nickel. Potentially toxic elements like lead, mercury and arsenic can harm the body even in small amounts.

1. TRACE ELEMENTS
PRESENTED BY
MR.KARTHICK J.
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY AND
NUTRITION

2. WHAT ARE TRACE ELEMENTS?
• TRACE ELEMENTS REFER TO ANY CHEMICAL ELEMENT THAT IS PRESENT IN
THE HUMAN BODY IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS, USUALLY LESS THAN 0.1% BY
VOLUME.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS
1. NUTRITIONALLY ESSENTIAL
2. PROBABLY ESSENTIAL
3. POTENTIALLY TOXIC

4. I.NUTRITIONALLY ESSENTIAL TRACE
ELEMENTS
• NUTRITIONALLY ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS ARE REQUIRED PARTS OF AN
INDIVIDUAL’S NUTRITION.
• THESE ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO VITAL BODILY FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING
METABOLIC FUNCTION, TISSUE REPAIR, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT
• IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PEOPLE CONSUME THEM THROUGH THEIR DIET OR BY
USING SUPPLEMENTS BECAUSE HUMAN BODY CANNOT NATURALLY
SYNTHESIZE THESE ELEMENTS,
• EXCESS CONSUMPTION OF THESE ELEMENTS CAN HAVE POTENTIALLY TOXIC
EFFECTS.

5. NUTRITIONALLY ESSENTIAL TRACE
ELEMENTS
• NUTRITIONALLY ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS INCLUDE IRON,
COPPER, COBALT, ZINC, SELENIUM, CHROMIUM, IODINE, AND
MOLYBDENUM.

6. IRON
• IRON PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TRANSPORTING OXYGEN
THROUGHOUT THE BODY THROUGH THE BLOOD.
• IRON DEFICIENCY CAN LEAD TO ANEMIA (DEFICIENCY OF
HEALTHY RED BLOOD CELLS) AND HAS ALSO BEEN LINKED TO
UPPER ALIMENTARY TRACT CANCERS.

7. COPPER
• COPPER, THE THIRD MOST ABUNDANT TRACE ELEMENT IN THE
HUMAN BODY, WORKS WITH IRON TO FORM HEALTHY RED BLOOD
CELLS
• IT IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF MANY ENZYMES INVOLVED IN
CHEMICAL REACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE BODY
• IT ALSO PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE
STRENGTH AND HEALTH OF BLOOD VESSELS, NERVES, AND
BONES.

8. COBALT
• COBALT CAN BE FOUND IN ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FORMS. IN THE
ORGANIC FORM IT FORMS A VITAL PART OF VITAMIN B12 (AKA
COBALAMIN) AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE FORMATION OF AMINO
ACIDS AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS.
• CONVERSELY, INORGANIC FORMS OF COBALT CAN BE TOXIC TO THE
HUMAN BODY.

9. ZINC
• ZINC CONTRIBUTES TO MANY FUNCTIONS IN THE BODY BUT IS MOST
IMPORTANTLY ASSOCIATED WITH CELL DIVISION, CELL GROWTH,
TISSUE REPAIR, AND METABOLIC FUNCTION.
• IT ALSO AIDS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN FIGHTING OFF VIRUSES AND
BACTERIA.

10. SELENIUM
• SELENIUM PLAYS AN IMPORTANT METABOLIC ROLE AS AN
ANTIOXIDANT (KNOWN TO PREVENT OR REDUCE DAMAGE
CAUSED BY OXIDATION IN THE BODY).

11. CHROMIUM
• CHROMIUM ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO METABOLIC FUNCTION, AS
IT PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN REGULATING SUGAR, FAT, AND
PROTEIN LEVELS IN THE BLOOD.

12. IODINE
• IODINE IS A VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENT WITHIN THE THYROID
HORMONES THYROXINE (T4) AND TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3).
• THESE HORMONES ARE ESSENTIAL IN METABOLISM, GROWTH,
AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN BODY.

13. MOLYBDENUM
• MOLYBDENUM IS REQUIRED FOR A FEW ENZYMATIC FUNCTIONS
INVOLVED IN DIGESTION AND EXCRETION.

14. II.PROBABLY ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
• THE PROBABLY ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS INCLUDE MANGANESE,
SILICONE, NICKEL, BORON, AND VANADIUM.

15. III.POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS
• THE POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS INCLUDE FLUORIDE, LEAD,
CADMIUM, MERCURY, ARSENIC, ALUMINIUM, LITHIUM, AND TIN.

16. THANK
YOU