165
9.4.2.4 Copper
It is obtained from organ meats, nuts, dried legumes, whole grains, and cereals. In
food, it is present as copper complexes and released in the stomach due to the acidic
pH of the gastric juice. It is involved in bone formation and hematopoiesis. It is
absorbed in the small intestine mostly by diffusion and in small amounts using carriers. In the circulation, copper combines with albumin, reaches the liver, and incorporated into ceruloplasmin, which is distributed to the tissues. Copper is excreted
through bile in faeces and in urine, skin, hair, and nails. It is transported by albumin
and is bound to ceruloplasmin. It is part of certain enzymes like ferro-oxidase, catalase, cytochrome oxidase and tyrosinase (Leone et al. 2006). It is required for red
blood cell production. Copper-containing proteins like ceruloplasmin contribute to
the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract. Copper deficiency can cause
hypochromic anaemia. Copper toxicity manifests as hepatolenticular degeneration
and biliary cirrhosis (Patil et al. 2013).
9.4.2.5 Zinc
It is obtained from liver, muscle, oysters, cereals, and pulses. Infants need 5 mg/day,
children need 10 mg/day and adults need 35 mg/day. It is a constituent of metalloenzymes and enables cell growth and proliferation, sexual maturity, and fertility. It
improves immunity, appetite, and taste. Iron and copper reduce its absorption. Zinc
deficiency is rare and can be seen in patients with kidney diseases and in alcoholic
patients. The growth of children with zinc deficiency is reduced. Zinc toxicity
symptoms include the development of gastrointestinal diseases and a decreased
immune function (Prasad 2008; Bredholt and Frederiksen 2016).
9.4.2.6 Silicon
Elevated levels of silicon are present in the connective tissue of the aorta, i.e. collagen and elastin components of the aortic wall. Silicon levels decline with ageing
and with the development of atherosclerosis. Silicon seems to reduce the levels of
fatty acids in the blood and the aorta. Fatty acids are associated with the formation
of atherosclerotic plaques. Studies have shown silicon supplements also help in the
prevention of osteoporosis (Jugdaohsingh 2007).
9.4.2.7 Manganese
It is obtained from nuts, cereals, and tea leaves. It is required for enzymes, such as
succinate dehydrogenase, arginase, and glucosyltransferase. It is required for the
synthesis of chondroitin sulphate which is necessary for cartilage formation (Tuschl
et al. 2013). It stabilizes the DNA and the RNA. The total body content is 15 mg and
9 Vitamins and Minerals: Types, Sources and their Functions
9.4.2.4 Copper
It is obtained from organ meats, nuts, dried legumes, whole grains, and cereals. In
food, it is present as copper complexes and released in the stomach due to the acidic
pH of the gastric juice. It is involved in bone formation and hematopoiesis. It is
absorbed in the small intestine mostly by diffusion and in small amounts using carriers. In the circulation, copper combines with albumin, reaches the liver, and incorporated into ceruloplasmin, which is distributed to the tissues. Copper is excreted
through bile in faeces and in urine, skin, hair, and nails. It is transported by albumin
and is bound to ceruloplasmin. It is part of certain enzymes like ferro-oxidase, catalase, cytochrome oxidase and tyrosinase (Leone et al. 2006). It is required for red
blood cell production. Copper-containing proteins like ceruloplasmin contribute to
the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract. Copper deficiency can cause
hypochromic anaemia. Copper toxicity manifests as hepatolenticular degeneration
and biliary cirrhosis (Patil et al. 2013).
9.4.2.5 Zinc
It is obtained from liver, muscle, oysters, cereals, and pulses. Infants need 5 mg/day,
children need 10 mg/day and adults need 35 mg/day. It is a constituent of metalloenzymes and enables cell growth and proliferation, sexual maturity, and fertility. It
improves immunity, appetite, and taste. Iron and copper reduce its absorption. Zinc
deficiency is rare and can be seen in patients with kidney diseases and in alcoholic
patients. The growth of children with zinc deficiency is reduced. Zinc toxicity
symptoms include the development of gastrointestinal diseases and a decreased
immune function (Prasad 2008; Bredholt and Frederiksen 2016).
9.4.2.6 Silicon
Elevated levels of silicon are present in the connective tissue of the aorta, i.e. collagen and elastin components of the aortic wall. Silicon levels decline with ageing
and with the development of atherosclerosis. Silicon seems to reduce the levels of
fatty acids in the blood and the aorta. Fatty acids are associated with the formation
of atherosclerotic plaques. Studies have shown silicon supplements also help in the
prevention of osteoporosis (Jugdaohsingh 2007).
9.4.2.7 Manganese
It is obtained from nuts, cereals, and tea leaves. It is required for enzymes, such as
succinate dehydrogenase, arginase, and glucosyltransferase. It is required for the
synthesis of chondroitin sulphate which is necessary for cartilage formation (Tuschl
et al. 2013). It stabilizes the DNA and the RNA. The total body content is 15 mg and
9 Vitamins and Minerals: Types, Sources and their Functions