Nutritionally essential trace elements are required parts of an individual’s nutrition. These elements contribute to vital bodily functions, including metabolic function, tissue repair, growth, and development. Because the human body cannot naturally synthesize these elements, it is essential that people consume them through their diet or by using supplements. Excess consumption of these elements can have potentially toxic effects. Nutritionally essential trace elements include iron, copper, cobalt, zinc, selenium, chromium, iodine, and molybdenum.
Iron plays an important role in transporting oxygen throughout the body through the blood. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia (i.e., deficiency of healthy red blood cells) and has also been linked to upper alimentary tract cancers.
Copper, the third most abundant trace element in the human body, works with iron to form healthy red blood cells and is an essential component of many enzymes involved in chemical reactions throughout the body. It also plays an important role in maintaining the strength and health of blood vessels, nerves, and bones.
Cobalt can be found in organic and inorganic forms. In the organic form it forms a vital part of vitamin B12 (i.e., cobalamin) and contributes to the formation of amino acids and neurotransmitters. Conversely, inorganic forms of cobalt can be toxic to the human body.
Zinc contributes to many functions in the body but is most importantly associated with cell division, cell growth, tissue repair, and metabolic function. It also aids the immune system in fighting off viruses and bacteria.
Selenium plays an important metabolic role as an antioxidant (known to prevent or reduce damage caused by oxidation in the body). Chromium also contributes to metabolic function, as it plays a key role in regulating sugar, fat, and protein levels in the blood.
Iodine is a very important element within the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are essential in metabolism, growth, and development of the human body.
Finally, molybdenum is required for a few enzymatic functions involved in digestion and excretion.
