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Trace Elements and Metals

Trace Elements and Metals

PMID: 31644161

Abstract:

The trace elements include more than 60 substances that are usually present in low concentrations in the environment and mammalian tissues. They are generally present in tissue and serum in picogram or microgram amounts, and their absorption, distribution, storage and excretion are tightly controlled. At least a dozen of them are considered essential minerals in humans. A table of trace elements found in biologic systems is given below.
The trace elements and most metals are usually present in adequate amounts in the diet and environment, and supplementation is generally not needed. An exception to this is iron, which is an essential heavy metal and present in more than "trace" amounts in human tissue and in foodstuffs.
The heavy metals such as iron, copper, mercury, tin, lead, zinc and cadmium are directly toxic to cells and demonstrate hepatotoxicity in vitro. At the typical concentrations of trace and heavy metals in the diet, however, these agents are safe and have not been associated with hepatotoxicity. Indeed, many of these elements are included in homeopathic medications and in dietary supplements advertised as being effective in enhancing vitality or improving immune function. Yet, neither the benefit nor the toxicity of these elements given in these concentrations has been demonstrated in humans. In higher amounts, many of the trace elements have been linked to instances of acute or chronic liver injury, predominantly iron, copper, zinc, arsenic and lithium. These are discussed individually and separately in LiverTox.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AS2121299	Trace Metals 2-WP			Price

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