Trace Minerals

This chapter focuses on six elements-cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)-to illustrate the concepts important to trace element metabolism and disease. These elements are chosen because there is evidence that perturbations in their metabolism are relatively common. Other biologically active trace elements, although potentially important, often require special conditions or long periods of deprivation before signs of deficiency are recognized. Metal ions in combination with numerous organic accessory and catalytic factors (e.g., various vitamins) play important roles in enhancing specificity and providing additional properties that allow complementary forces, and arrangements to improve the orientation and efficiency of catalysis. In enzyme transition states, metals influence the entropic components of enzymatic reactions. Metals allow the formation of metastable bonds and play roles in entasis. Some minerals are important in organizing water structure, while others act as Lewis acids and bases. Appropriate intake levels of certain chemical elements are required to maintain optimal health.