Group 4

Essential Trace Elements

RN 70 - 92
in Health and Disease
What are Trace Elements?
A trace element is a chemical element of a minute quantity, a trace amount, especially used in referring to a
micronutrient. e.g. Iron, Iodine, Fluoride, Copper, Zinc, Chromium, Selenium, Cobalt, Manganese, Molybdenum

Iron 8 - 18 mg/day Copper 800 -1000 μg/day

Source Organ meat, Liver, Heart, Kidney, Muscle, Egg yolk,

Fish, Oyster, Dark green vegetables (exogenous source), RBC Source Animal meat, Liver, Kidney, Shellfish (oysters and
and other hemoproteins breakdown (endogenous source) lobsters)

Function Function
Component of hemoglobin for transport of respiratory Cofactor for enzymes (Eg. cytochrome oxidase in electron
gases; O2 and CO2 transport, dopamine β-hydroxylase in norepinephrine
Component of microsomal cytochrome P450 synthesis)
monooxygenase for detoxification function of liver Ceruloplasmin for conversion of ferrous to ferric which can
Component of cytochrome, iron sulphur protein and iron bind to transferrin
containing flavoprotein in respiratory chain Pro-oxidant role

Deficiency Microcytic hypochromic anemia, decreased Deficiency Neutropenia, bleeding, bone demineralization, skin
immunocompetence pigmentation, and alteration in hair structure, Menkes syndrome

Toxicity Hemochromatosis, Hemosiderosis resulting

organ damage, Cirrhosis of Liver Toxicity Wilson disease

Zinc 8 - 11 mg/day

Source Red meat, Poultry, Liver, Egg, Milk, Seafood(oyster), Function Normal growth, reproduction and life expentancy of mammals
Beans and Nuts and constituent of over 20 metalloenzymes associated with carbohydrate
and energy metabolism, protein and nucleic acid synthesis, zinc finger motif
Deficiency Growth retardation, dwarfism, hypogonadism, in DNA binding proteins
delayed wound healing, decreased taste and smell acuity, Toxicity Zinc toxicity (rare)
Zinc supplementation is
considered a potential
neuropsychiatric disorder, etc. therapy for COVID-19

Iodine 150-200 mg/day Fluoride 1 - 3 mg/day Manganese 1 - 3 mg/day

1.8 - 2.3
mg/day

Source Mainly marine fish, shell fish, also present in fish, Source Drinking water, Function Component of pyruvate
meat, dairy products, legumes, vegetables and fruits China tea, Sea food carboxylase, cofactor of hydrolase,
decarboxylase, transferase
Function For teeth and bone integrity Deficiency Impaired growth, skeleton
Function Essential component of thyroid hormone (Enamel with higher fluoride content is deformity
more resistant to erosion by acid.)
Deficiency Non-toxic goiter in adults and cretin in children
Can be prevented by taking iodide fortified foods Deficiency Osteoporosis, dental caries Molybdenum 45 μg/day

Toxicity Well tolerated, if toxic - Hyperthyroidism Toxicity Fluorosis, exostosis Function Component of xanthine oxidase
(weight loss, tremors, fatigue) and aldehyde oxidase

Chromium 25 - 35 μg/day Cobalt 5 - 8 μg/day Selenium 50 - 100 μg/day

Source Grape juice, Fruits and Vegetables Source Combination with vitamin B12 Source Organ meats, Tuna fish, Shellfish, Cereals,
Brazil nuts (richest)

Function Function
helps in RBC production Function
promote insulin hormone
Cofactor of glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin
breakdown and absorption of promotes the action of WBC
reductase
carbohydrate, protein and fat helps in repair and formation of myelin
Plays a role in spermatogenesis
sheath
Antioxidant action synergistically with
Deficiency Rare (found in pregnancy, reduces serum cholesterol
vitamin E
lactation, strenuous exercise, physical Stimulates differentiation of T cells, and increases
Deficiency Anemia, impaired nerve function
stress) natural killer cell activity

Toxicity Polycythemia, goiter, vision

Toxicity Caution for kidney and liver Deficiency Cardiomyopathy, decline in immunity
problems, deafness, tinnitus
in high dose
Toxicity Liver cirrhosis, splenomagaly,
gastrointestinal bleeding and depression

Poster Leader RN-74 ( Zaw Htet ) Script Writers SCAN THIS

RN-81 ( Nyan Htut ) RN-86 ( Tinzar Linn Lett ) RN-72 ( Swe Zin Aung Thin) FOR
RN-83 ( Nyan Lin Htun ) RN-89 ( Htet Su Yee ) Presenter RN-82 ( Nyan Lin Htet ) RN-70 ( Saung Ei Phyu ) REFERENCES!