Clinical Background
The primary trace minerals of nutritional significance are chromium, copper, selenium and zinc. Deficiencies of these minerals may exist in:
- Patients with
- Chronic illness (eg, HIV)
- Malabsorption syndrome
- Unbalanced diet or parenteral nutrition
- Pica
- Patients post bariatric surgery
Chromium
- Function - potentiates the action of insulin in patients with impaired glucose tolerance; may also improve lipid profiles
- Sources - yeast, meat, grain products
- Deficiency - impaired glucose tolerance
- Toxicity - dermatitis, renal failure, pulmonary cancers
Copper
- Function - integral part of numerous enzyme systems including amine oxidase, ferroxidase, superoxide dismutase, dopamine hydroxylase
- Sources - shellfish, liver, nuts, legumes, bran, organ meats
- Deficiency - anemia, osteopenia, degenerative changes in aortic elastin, growth retardation, hair pigment changes
- Toxicity - nausea, emesis, diarrhea, hemolytic anemia, neurodegeneration, hepatic failure, Wilson disease
Selenium
- Function - component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase which serves to protect proteins, cell membranes, lipids, nucleic acids from oxidant molecules
- Sources - seafood, muscle meat, cereals
- Deficiency - cardiomyopathy and heart failure, striated muscle degeneration
- Toxicity - alopecia, nausea, emesis, dermatitis
Zinc
- Function - integral component of metalloenzymes; synthesizes and stabilizes proteins, DNA and RNA
- Sources - meat, shellfish, nuts, legumes
- Deficiency - growth retardation, alopecia, dermatitis, diarrhea, failure to thrive, congenital malformations
- Toxicity - reduced copper absorption, gastritis, fever, nausea, emesis
See Also
