In 1922, V.I. Vernadsky developed the doctrine of the noosphere, in which the problem of interaction of any living organism with various chemical elements, which are contained in them as "traces", was considered. Directly to these substances, the scientist attached great importance to the processes of life. And Dr. G. Schroeder claimed: "Mineral substances are even more important in human food than vitamins ... Many vitamins can be synthesized in the body, but it is not able to produce a number of necessary minerals and independently remove toxins."
Lack and excess are equally dangerous
A number of pathological conditions caused by deficiency, excess or imbalance of microelements in the human body, is called microelementosis. Studies have shown that only 4% of people have no violations of mineral metabolism, and these disorders are the root cause or indicator of many known diseases. More than 300 million people in the world, for example, there is iodine deficiency (especially in radioactive areas). At the same time every tenth person has a severe form, leading to a decrease in intelligence.
In the human body, trace elements are found in a variety of biologically active compounds, enzymes, vitamins, hormones, respiratory pigments, etc. And the role of microelements is mainly in the effect on metabolic activity.
The most important among important
Such macronutrients are calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium.
The adult body contains about 1000 g of CALCIUM, while 99% of it is deposited in the skeleton. Calcium provides normal functioning of muscle tissue, myocardium, nervous tissue, skin, formation of bone tissue, mineralization of teeth, participates in blood clotting processes, cellular metabolism, supports homeostasis.
Causes of calcium deficiency can be: increased consumption as a result of stress, excess in the body of magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, lead. Increased its content is associated with the development of diseases of the nervous system, hormonal imbalance. The daily need for an adult human body in calcium is 0.8-1.2 g.
Of the 25 g of MAGNESIUM contained in the body, 50-60% is concentrated in the bones, 1% in the extracellular fluid, the rest in the tissue cells. Magnesium is involved in the regulation of neuromuscular conduction, stimulates the formation of proteins, nucleic acids, lowers blood pressure, inhibits platelet aggregation. Magnesium-containing enzymes and magnesium ions ensure the maintenance of energy and plastic processes in the nervous tissue. The level of magnesium affects the regulation of lipid metabolism. Its deficiency causes insomnia, mood changes, muscle weakness, convulsions, tachycardia, increases the risk of stroke. The need for magnesium is 0.3-0.5 g per day.
The largest amounts of ZINC are found in the skin, hair, muscle tissue, blood cells. It is used for protein synthesis, participates in the processes of cell division and differentiation, immunity formation, pancreatic insulin function, hematopoiesis, plays an important role in reproduction processes. Zinc has the ability to protect the vascular endothelium from atherosclerosis and in cerebral ischemia. Exchange of it can be disturbed under the influence of large doses of iron. The cause of zinc deficiency can be its increased consumption during the recovery period of the patient. The daily requirement of an adult in zinc is a dose of 10-15 mg.
COPPER contain many vitamins, hormones, enzymes, respiratory pigments. This element is involved in the process of metabolism, in the process of tissue respiration. Copper is responsible for the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, the structure of bones and cartilage, is part of the myelin sheath of nerves, acts on carbohydrate metabolism - accelerates the oxidation of glucose and inhibits the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. Deficiency of copper is manifested in the violation of lipid metabolism, which in turn accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Growth retardation, anemia, dermatosis, graying, weight loss, cardiac muscle atrophy are typical for lack of copper, the need for which reaches 2-5 mg per day.
The adult body contains about 3-5 g of IRON, which is involved in the transfer of oxygen, oxidative energy processes, cholesterol metabolism, provides immune functions. Significant deficiency of iron causes a decrease in the activity of enzymes, protein-receptors, which include this element, a violation of the production of neurotransmitters, myelin. In general, iron imbalance in the body contributes to an increased accumulation of toxic metals in the central nervous system. The daily requirement of an adult is 15 mg of iron.
ALUMINUM is responsible for the development and regeneration of connective, epithelial and bone tissue, and is also called upon to influence how active the digestive glands and enzymes are.
MARGANETS is contained in all tissues and organs, is responsible for the central nervous system, affects the development of the skeleton, is able to participate in immune responses, tissue respiration processes, regulates blood glucose levels. The daily requirement for manganese is 2-7 mg.
Cobalt is a component of vitamin B12. Its task is stimulation of hematopoiesis, participation in the synthesis of proteins and control over carbohydrate metabolism.
Almost all of the fluoride in our body is concentrated in the bones and teeth. With increasing fluoride concentration in drinking water up to 1-1.5 mg / l, the risk of caries development decreases, and at excess of 2-3 mg / l fluorosis can develop. The intake of fluoride into the human body in the amount of 1.5-4 mg per day is considered normal.
SELEN is present in a number of enzymes that are part of the antioxidant system of cells. Influences the exchange of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, it can slow down aging, protects against excess of heavy metals. The relatively high concentration of selenium in the retina of the eye suggests its participation in photochemical reactions of light perception.
Diseases of "accumulation", disease deficits
With age, the content of many microelements (aluminum, chlorine, lead, fluorine, nickel) in the body increases. This manifests itself in the diseases of "accumulation" - develop Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The deficit or excess of macro-, microelements in our time is largely due to the nature of the food, in which the purified, processed and canned products predominate, purified and softened drinking water. To this should be added the abuse of alcohol. Stress, physical or emotional, is also capable of causing a deficiency of the necessary macro and microelements.
To micronutrients also leads to excessive use of synthetic drugs:
- Diuretics can cause a deficiency of potassium, magnesium, calcium, excess sodium;
- Antacids, Citramon contain aluminum, which, accumulating, contributes to the development of cerebrovascular diseases and osteomalacia;
- Contraceptives, antiarrhythmic drugs cause copper imbalance with the possible occurrence of arthritis and arthrosis.
The use of the role of microelements in the human body in clinical medicine is still limited. In the treatment of certain types of anemia, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese preparations are effectively used. As drugs, drugs of bromine and iodine are also used. For the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, neuroprotective drugs are used, which contain essential trace elements (contribute to the more effective action of drugs and the restoration of impaired functions).
IMPORTANT! Microelements are part of the therapeutic and preventive complexes with vitamins, food additives. But their uncontrolled reception can cause a micronutrient imbalance, which doctors are now increasingly alarmed about.