Trace Elements

Trace Elements

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  Boron

  (B) is a trace mineral essential for healthy bones in that it enables calcium to be absorbed efficiently, and it also stimulates the production of sex hormones.

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  Chromium

  (Cr) is a trace mineral important in carbohyrate metabolism and for regulating blood-sugar levels by its influence on insulin production. It is also involved in protein transport and may inhibit the formation of plaque in the aorta (the main heart gateway to the body).

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  Cobalt

  (Co) is the trace mineral needed specifically for normal functioning and maintenance of the red blood cells in combination with cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) into which it is absorbed. Cobalt depletion can result in pernicious anemia, a slow rate of growth, and nervous disorders.

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  Copper

  (Cu) is a trace element found in all body tissues. It is involved in the production of important biochemicals as diverse as haemoglobin, collagen, noradrenaline, RNA, elastin, and phospholipids. It is one of the chief blood antioxidants and is present in many important enzymes.

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  Iodine

  (I) present as iodide is an essential part of the thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine), produced in the thyroid gland. This trace mineral has a role in regulating the this gland. It is absorbed and incorporated with tyrosine residues to form thyroxine.

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  Iron

  (Fe) is present in the body combined with protein. With the help of copper it becomes a constituent of haemoglobin, the red matter in blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues for respiration, and in myoglobin which transports oxygen into muscle cells.

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  Manganese

  (Mn) in trace amounts has many roles including activation of enzymes enabling vitamin uptake, as an antioxidant, as a catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids,cholesterol and simple sugars, in the production of protein and blood, in maintenance of sex-hormone production.

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  Molydenum

  (Mo) is a factor in copper and nitrogen metabolism. The trace mineral helps promote normal cell function and is a constituent of aldehyde oxidase, needed in the oxidation of fats, and of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that can mobilise iron. It is also important in urine production.

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  Nickel

  (Ni) is an essential trace mineral found in every cell in RNA and DNA and believed to be a factor in the metabolism of fats, hormones, glucose, and cell membranes.

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  Selenium

  (Se) is a trace mineral with organic and inorganic forms. Organically, as part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, it acts as an antioxidant. Populations with relatively high blood selenium levels related to their diet are found to have better resistance to disease, including cancer.

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  Zinc

  (Zn) is the trace element most abundant in the body after iron and occurs in all tissues. It is a constituent of some 2,000 enzymes involved in digestion and metabolism, is involved in the synthesis of DNA, and is a component of insulin. It governs the taste buds and the oil glands beneath our skin.

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  Fluorine

  (F) as fluoride is found in minute amounts in human tissues, especially in the skeleton and teeth. Calcium fluoride is the natural form; sodium fluoride is the one added to water supplies. Fluorine in the correct dosage strengthens bones by increasing the deposition of calcium.

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  Vanadium

  (V) in glucose tolerance problems such as diabetes, hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia makes cell membrane insulin receptors more sensitive to insulin. This trace mineral also enhances insulin's stimulating effect on DNA synthesis for normal growth and cell replacement.

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  Germanium

  (Ge) efficiently initiates electrical impulses between cells and enhances the immune system by increasing oxygen flow into cells from the blood. It is present in trace amounts in plants and animals. In immune system function, germanium stimulates production of natural killer cells, etc.

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  Silver

  (Ag) is found in land mammals in the range 0.05 to 0.7ppm. Silver is anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal; it kills micro-organisms by disrupting their respiratory processes.