How many kinds of trace elements are there (classification and importance)

Trace elements are an element needed by human body. Although the required amount is small, they have an important impact on human health. Trace elements can be divided into organic trace elements and inorganic trace elements. Organic trace elements mainly include iron, zinc, copper, manganese and iodine, while inorganic trace elements mainly include selenium, molybdenum, chromium, nickel and cobalt.

Organic trace elements

Organic trace elements are essential elements for human body and play important physiological functions in human body. The following are several common organic trace elements:

iron

Iron is one of the essential trace elements in human body, which mainly exists in hemoglobin and myoglobin and participates in the transport and storage of oxygen. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia and affect the normal function of the body.

zinc (Zn)

Zinc is one of the essential trace elements for human body. Participate in the activation of various enzymes in the body, which has an important impact on cell division and immune function. Zinc deficiency will lead to decreased immunity and affect growth and development.

copper

Copper is one of the essential trace elements for human body. Participating in the activation of various enzymes in the body plays an important role in maintaining the normal function of nervous system and iron metabolism. Copper deficiency can lead to anemia and nervous system dysfunction.

manganese

Manganese is one of the essential trace elements for human body. It is involved in the activation of various enzymes in the body and plays an important role in maintaining the normal function of bones and connective tissues. Manganese deficiency can lead to bone diseases and connective tissue diseases.

iodine

Iodine is one of the essential trace elements for human body. It mainly exists in thyroid hormones and plays an important role in maintaining thyroid function and brain development. Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism and mental retardation.

Inorganic trace elements

Although inorganic trace elements are rarely needed by human body, they are equally important to human health. The following are several common inorganic trace elements:

selenium

Selenium is one of the essential trace elements for human body. It participates in the antioxidant reaction in vivo and plays an important role in protecting cells from free radical damage. Selenium deficiency can lead to decreased immunity and cardiovascular diseases.

molybdenum

Molybdenum is one of the essential trace elements for human body. It is involved in the activation of various enzymes in the body and plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism and maintaining the normal function of bones. Molybdenum deficiency can lead to metabolic disorders and bone diseases.

chrome

Chromium is one of the essential trace elements for human body. It participates in glucose metabolism and insulin, and plays an important role in maintaining blood sugar level and fat metabolism. Chromium deficiency can lead to diabetes and dyslipidemia.

nickel

Nickel is one of the essential trace elements for human body. It is involved in the activation of various enzymes in the body and plays an important role in maintaining the stability of DNA and cell division. Lack of nickel will lead to abnormal cell function and decreased immunity.

cobalt

Cobalt is one of the essential trace elements for human body. Participating in the synthesis of vitamin B 12 and the production of red blood cells plays an important role in maintaining the normal function of blood. Lack of cobalt can lead to anemia and nervous system dysfunction.

Importance of trace elements

Although the requirements of trace elements are small, they have an important impact on human health. Lack of some trace elements will lead to corresponding health problems and affect the normal function of the body.

Organic trace elements are very important to human health. Iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine and other elements participate in many physiological functions in the body. Lack of them will lead to anemia, decreased immunity, nervous system dysfunction and other problems.

Inorganic trace elements are also very important to human health. Selenium, molybdenum, chromium, nickel and cobalt participate in the antioxidant reaction, nitrogen metabolism and sugar metabolism in vivo and maintain the stability of DNA. Lack of them will lead to problems such as decreased immunity, metabolic disorder and diabetes.

How to get enough trace elements?

In order to get enough trace elements, we can adopt the following methods:

balanced diet

A balanced diet is the basis of adequate intake of trace elements. It is necessary to ensure that every meal contains a variety of foods, diversify as much as possible, and ensure the intake of various trace elements.

Eat foods rich in trace elements.

Some foods are rich in specific trace elements, so we can choose to eat them pertinently. For example, lean meat, fish and beans are rich in iron and seafood, milk and beans are rich in zinc.

Appropriate supplement

If our diet can't meet the body's demand for trace elements, we can supplement it in moderation. However, it should be noted that the supplementation of trace elements should be carried out under the guidance of doctors or nutritionists to avoid excessive or unnecessary supplementation.