History of Nutrition Symposium: Trace Element Nutrition and Human Health

History of nutrition symposium: trace element nutrition and human health.

Discovery of the importance of trace elements in nutrition began in the 19th century with the chemical analysis of elements in biological samples and the demonstration that certain elements were essential for growth of microorganisms, e.g., essentiality of zinc for Aspergillus niger (Raulin 1869). The clinical investigations of Stockman (1893, 1895a and 1895b) in women with “chlorosis” and the ...

Trace elements in human nutrition and health

Trace element nutrition and bone metabolism.

Many of the trace elements which have essential roles in animals, such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu), are required for the growth, development and maintenance of healthy bones (Rucker, 1988; Leach, 1988). Of the remaining trace or ultratrace elements, which by definition are normally present at low concentrations in animal tissues, some have a toxic effect on bone such as lead (P...

[Is chromium an essential trace element in human nutrition?].

It has been recognized that chromium is an essential trace element associated with carbohydrate metabolism, and chromium deficiency causes an impaired glucose tolerance. Recently, however, Vincent et al. have reported that chromium is not an essential trace element. In the present report, the author evaluated the nutritional essentiality of chromium by reviewing several previous reports. In alm...

Recent Findings in Trace Element Nutrition

Studies in South Australia in the 1930-40's showed that the coastal areas .and, to a lesser extent, the areas inland had inadequate levels of cobalt and copper for livestock health and production. Since these studies, selenium responsive conditions have been recognised in livestock depastured on the ironstone soils in the higher rainfall areas and also in isolated, but at present ill-defined, a...