Health and Fitness Hints

Manganese is a trace mineral that plays an important role as a cofactor in the activation of numerous enzymes including superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme and pyruvate carboxylase, a carbohydrate metabolism enzyme. This mineral also aids the utilization of the vitamins ascorbic acid, biotin, thiamine and choline.

Manganese it participates as a catalyst in the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids. It nourishes the nerves and brain and maintains the production of sex hormones. This mineral is also important in the formation of urea and possibly that of blood.

Manganese is absorbed poorly and most of the absorption takes place in the intestinal tract. It is mostly concentrated in the bones, pancreas and liver. Excretion occurs through the feces and it is combined in the bile. High intakes of calcium will further depress the poor rate of absorption of manganese.

There are not reported cases of deficiency in humans and the need for this element is low. The adequate intake for manganese is 2 mg/day for adults and the average intake from a diet that includes good manganese rich food sources will adequately cover these needs.

Dietary or oral toxicity is extremely rare. However toxicity has been seen in individuals in manganese mines exposed to manganese dust. Upper level for this mineral is 11mg/day. Toxicity symptoms include violence, hallucinations, weakness, muscle control impairment, extreme irritability and psychiatric problems.

Before using manganese as a dietary supplement it is important to consult your health care provider. As with everything else it is important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins and minerals for the right reasons.

Health and Fitness Best an online Health Choice Destination.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Selenium is a vital and essential mineral found in minute amounts in the body. The significance of this mineral in human nutrition became evident in late 1980s and its biological roles are many and diverse including growth, metabolism and normal development. It is a natural antioxidant and by delaying oxidation of polyunsaturated acids it preserves elasticity of tissue. Its content in foods depends upon its presence in the soil, for plant products, and in animal products upon the levels of selenium available in their feed.

Selenium enters the body in two major ionic forms, bound to derivatives of the amino acids cysteine and methionine - selenomethionine derived from plants and selenocysteine derived from animals. Bioavailability is high and 50 to 100% of selenium in the diet is absorbed. No mechanism appears to control its absorption and for this reason it has potential for toxicity. The liver and kidneys contain as much as five times the selenium as do muscles or other tissues.

Selenium balance in the body is achieved be excretion in the urine and feces however excretion in the face sit may indicate improper absorption. To day the most understood roles of this mineral are hat of a cofactor of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and in thyroid hormone metabolism. As a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase selenium is vital in protecting the health of the heart cells and aid immune function. It works close with vitamin E in some of its metabolic actions and spares some of the body’s needs for vitamin E by reducing peroxide load in cells.

Selenium has the ability to reduce free radical production and prevent alteration in DNA and adequate intake of this mineral may be important in preventing cancer. Studies have shown significant reduction in the development of cancers such as colon, rectal, prostate and lungs. A new study is on its way, using vitamin E 400 IU and selenium supplements 200µg as part of the protocol for the protection against prostate cancer. These are excellent news for men’s health. The RDA for selenium is 55µg/day for adult men and women.

Symptoms of deficiency of the mineral in humans are muscle wasting, muscle pain, cardiomyopathy, keshan’s disease, accumulation of acid peroxides in the heart and kidney problems.
Deficiencies of this mineral are rare. The inclusion of foods in the diet of animal products as a good source of selenium is organ meat, meat, fish, eggs, and shellfish. Grains and nuts (especially Brazil nuts) and plants grown in soils that contain selenium are good plant sources.

Excess selenium can be toxic. Upper level for selenium is 400µg/day. Symptoms of selenium toxicity are hair loss, high blood concentration. Intakes of 1 to 3 mg for many months results in a garlicky odor of the breath, fatigue, diarrhea, skin rashes and even cirrhosis of the liver. It is important that you always seek the advice of you health care provider before you take supplements especially if you are taking prescription medication.

Health and Fitness Best an online Health Choice Destination.

Chromium is an essential trace mineral distributed widely through out the food in our diet. It is an important mineral for the proper metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates that in turn may help prevent type 2 and gestational diabetes. This mineral may also involve in the synthesis of protein with its binding action with RNA molecules. Up to 10% only is absorbed from food. It is mostly concentrated in the bones, liver, kidneys, spleen and tastes and with smaller amounts in the brain, lungs and heart.

Chromium is transported in the blood by transferrin an iron-binding protein. Concentration in human tissues is very low and the amount stored in the body decreases with age. Excretion of chromium occurs through urine and small amounts in the feces. The most well known function of this mineral is the maintenance of glucose uptake in to cells and enhances insulin action. It also aids the conversion of glucose in to fat. It may inhibit aortic plaque. Infants suffering from Kwashiorkor can benefit from oral administration

There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance for chromium but, based on the amount typically found in balance diets an adequate intake is 35 µg for men and 25µg/day for women. Intakes of less than 20µg/day it may detrimental to individuals that have marginally elevated blood glucose. Even a slight chromium deficiency can have very serious effects on the body. Lack of chromium in the soil where food grows and consumption of refined carbohydrates are contributing factor of deficiency in some individuals. Regular use of vitamin and/or mineral supplements can meet any shortfall.

Chromium is widely distributed in foods but in very small quantities. The most reliable sources are whole grains, organ meats, broccoli, nuts and legumes. Concentration of this mineral in foods it directly related to the amounts in the local soil. There is not known chromium toxicity from foods. It has been reported however in industrial settings where people are exposed to it and from chromium waste sites to suffer lung damage.

Poisoning from consuming large amounts can cause stomach ulcers, kidney problems, liver damage and even death. There are a few reports of adverse reactions particularly with use of chromium picolinate. Chromium picolinate a popular form of dietary supplement may lead to production of hydroxyl radicals. Those with hypoglycemia should exercise caution in the use of chromium supplements. Chromium (Cr3+) is an essential mineral while (Cr2+) and (Cr6+) are toxic.

Health and Fitness Best an online Health Choice Destination.