Health and Fitness Hints

Copper is a trace mineral that is found in all living organisms from bacteria to humans and it is an essential element. It plays a variety of important roles in the body, including assisting in the formation of hemoglobin, aiding in iron metabolism, contributing to the activity of many enzymes in the build up and break down of body tissues, aiding in the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine in to the pigment that colors hair and skin, participating in the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine.

This trace mineral is also required for the production of the protective sheaths of myelin that surrounds nerve fibers. It is also necessary for the production RNA and the production of elastin, working together with vitamin C, an important component for all muscle fibers. Additionally, copper is necessary for bone formation and maintenance and participates in the function of the immune system and white and red cell maturation.

Approximately 15 to 75% of dietary cooper ingested is absorbed primarily in the stomach and duodenum. It is transported from the intestine first to the liver and kidneys and then from there to other organs. Little of this trace mineral is stored in the body and the highest concentrations are found in the liver, brain kidneys and heart. Muscles and bones have lower concentrations however because of their mass contain more than 50% of total copper in the body. The balance of copper in the body is maintained by excretion in the bile and feces and very little through urine.

Although copper deficiency is relatively unknown among those with greatest risk are preterm infants, children with iron-deficiency anemia and kidney patients undergoing dialysis. The estimated RDA for this mineral is 0.9 mg/day for adult men and women.
Like other essential trace minerals can be toxic when it is present in cells and tissues in excess. Based on the risk for liver damage the upper level for copper is 10 mg/day.

An inherited copper related disease, Wilson’s disease, results in accumulation of copper in the brain kidneys and eye cornea. It is difficult to diagnose and while it is present at birth usually detected later in childhood or adulthood. Symptoms include kidney problems and neurological and psychiatric disorders and premature death. If the condition is diagnosed and treated early, with copper binding agents, treatment can reduce both physical and mental degeneration.

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!

Phosphorus is an essential mineral found in every cell of the body. It is required for normal function and 85% of the mineral is found in the bones. Efficient absorption and availability in food makes it less important major mineral in diet planning. Approximately 70% of dietary intake is absorbed and most of it takes place in the lumen of the small intestine. Excess is excreted via the kidneys. Loss in the urine increases as concentration of phosphorus in the blood increases.

Phosphorus plays several important roles in the body as it is one of the most essential elements. Approximately 85% of phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth in the form of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) and the remaining in every other cell and extracellular fluids. It is a component of many enzyme systems such as DNA, RNA, ATP and part of cell membranes (phospholipids). Phosphorus is also one of the body’s important puffers for the maintenance of normal pH.

Chronic deficiency of phosphorus can result in bone loss and poor tooth development, bone pain, joint stiffness, anorexia, weakness and irritability. Foods such as meat, milk, nuts, fish, cheese and bread provide most of the needs for this mineral. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for phosphorus is 700 mg/day for adults. Deficiency is unlikely in healthy adults as they usually consume twice the RDA.

Typical daily intakes are not toxic but excessive amounts can lead to health problems with individuals suffering kidney disease. Chronic imbalances in the calcium to phosphorus ratio intake in the diet can result in bone loss from high phosphorus intake. The upper level for phosphorus in adults is 3 to 4 g/day.

Health and Fitness Best an online Health Choice Destination.

Chloride is an essential mineral widely distributed throughout the body as an anion form of chlorine-a very poisonous gas. It forms an important negative ion for the extracellular fluid and its negative charge balances the positive charges of sodium ions to bring about electrolyte balance. Chloride helps to maintain pressure that allows fluids to enter or exit cell membranes until concentration of dissolved particles have reached equilibrium on both sides of the cell membranes.

Chloride is a component of hydrochloric acid that it is produced by the stomach and a part of the immune defense when white cells attack foreign cells. It helps in the removal of toxic waste such as carbon dioxide by way of air exhaled by the lungs. It also aids the preservation of joint shape and quality of tendons and helps the distribution of hormones. Highest concentrations of chloride in the body are found in the gastrointestinal tract secretions and cerebrospinal fluid.

Chloride is provided almost exclusively in the diet from sodium chloride or salt added in food preparation. Foods that are naturally good sources of chloride are ripe olives, rye, seaweed, and some fruit and vegetables. Chloride is almost completely absorbed in the small intestine and colon and excreted through the kidneys, skin and gastrointestinal tract. The minimum requirement of chloride for health is 700 mg per day. A deficiency is unlikely as intake of salt is usually too high.

Health and Fitness Best an online Health Choice Destination.