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13.1.6 Minerals
Selenium is an essential mineral in humans and animals. However, in high levels, it
is toxic. In humans, selenium is responsible for the synthesis of seleno-proteins, as
well as in the normal activity of the thyroid where it acts as a cofactor in the metabolism of thyroid hormones (Holben and Smith 1999). Selenium deficiency is associated with cardiovascular events (e.g. myocardial infarction) and a higher rate of
CVD-related deaths. Likewise, selenium deficiency is also linked with a higher risk
of kidney disorders and cancer (Holben and Smith 1999). Selenium also partakes in
the process of reducing methylmercury toxicity (Ralston and Raymond 2010).
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), seafood is an
excellent source of selenium (Ralston 2008). In comparison with yeast-derived selenium, selenium obtained from fish has a higher bioavailability (Fox et al. 2004).
During the analysis of seafood obtained from the South Atlantic Ocean, a beneficial
selenium-to-mercury ratio (> critical level of 1:1) was observed and held responsible for the protection against methylmercury toxicity (Kehrig et al. 2013). Moreover,
the selenium content of seafood can be increased by supplementing the diet of fish
with selenium, as seen in studies conducted on tilapia (Molnar et al. 2012). For
seafood safety, the selenium health benefit value (Se-HBV) was proposed. It takes
into consideration the exposure to methylmercury and the selenium intake (Kaneko
and Ralston 2007). Recently, the Se-HBV has been updated to consider its availability from fish. In order to differentiate between the two, Se-HBV is now abbreviated as HBVSe (Ralston et al. 2016). Mercury-induced toxicity seems to be related,
in avid seafood consumers, to an increase in oxidative stress levels (Karimi
et al. 2016).
Calcium is an essential macro-mineral in human nutrition for its role in bone
metabolism. Calcium ions play a significant role in maintaining the rigidity of the
skeleton. In the human body, 99% of calcium is stored in of bones (Ghosh and Joshi
2008). The average intake of calcium differs based on age groups. However, in
adults, the WHO/FAO recommends a daily intake of 400–500 mg/day. In comparison with other nutrients, the absorbance of calcium in body is inadequate. Generally,
the bioavailability of the total dietary calcium is estimated at 25–30% (FAO
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department 2002). Besides milk and dairy
products, fish and other marine animals also contain calcium (Martınez-Valverde
et al. 2000). In comparison with terrestrial meat which contains 14 mg calcium/100 g, mollusks, crustaceans and fish contain 26–68 mg calcium/100 g (Tacon
and Metian 2013). Moreover, calcium from salmon and cod bones has a better
absorption (Malde et al. 2010).
Phosphorus is also a key factor in bone health and the composition of cell membranes. Moreover, phosphorous is also an important component of nucleoproteins,
nucleic acids, as well as organic phosphates i.e. adenosine triphosphate and creatine
phosphate. Martınez-Valverde et al. (2000) reported that 700 g of phosphorous are
found in the body, of which 80% is found in bones, 10% in viscera and 9% in the
skeletal muscles (Ghosh and Joshi 2008). Phosphorus deficiency is related to a
S. Hassan et al.
13.1.6 Minerals
Selenium is an essential mineral in humans and animals. However, in high levels, it
is toxic. In humans, selenium is responsible for the synthesis of seleno-proteins, as
well as in the normal activity of the thyroid where it acts as a cofactor in the metabolism of thyroid hormones (Holben and Smith 1999). Selenium deficiency is associated with cardiovascular events (e.g. myocardial infarction) and a higher rate of
CVD-related deaths. Likewise, selenium deficiency is also linked with a higher risk
of kidney disorders and cancer (Holben and Smith 1999). Selenium also partakes in
the process of reducing methylmercury toxicity (Ralston and Raymond 2010).
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), seafood is an
excellent source of selenium (Ralston 2008). In comparison with yeast-derived selenium, selenium obtained from fish has a higher bioavailability (Fox et al. 2004).
During the analysis of seafood obtained from the South Atlantic Ocean, a beneficial
selenium-to-mercury ratio (> critical level of 1:1) was observed and held responsible for the protection against methylmercury toxicity (Kehrig et al. 2013). Moreover,
the selenium content of seafood can be increased by supplementing the diet of fish
with selenium, as seen in studies conducted on tilapia (Molnar et al. 2012). For
seafood safety, the selenium health benefit value (Se-HBV) was proposed. It takes
into consideration the exposure to methylmercury and the selenium intake (Kaneko
and Ralston 2007). Recently, the Se-HBV has been updated to consider its availability from fish. In order to differentiate between the two, Se-HBV is now abbreviated as HBVSe (Ralston et al. 2016). Mercury-induced toxicity seems to be related,
in avid seafood consumers, to an increase in oxidative stress levels (Karimi
et al. 2016).
Calcium is an essential macro-mineral in human nutrition for its role in bone
metabolism. Calcium ions play a significant role in maintaining the rigidity of the
skeleton. In the human body, 99% of calcium is stored in of bones (Ghosh and Joshi
2008). The average intake of calcium differs based on age groups. However, in
adults, the WHO/FAO recommends a daily intake of 400–500 mg/day. In comparison with other nutrients, the absorbance of calcium in body is inadequate. Generally,
the bioavailability of the total dietary calcium is estimated at 25–30% (FAO
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department 2002). Besides milk and dairy
products, fish and other marine animals also contain calcium (Martınez-Valverde
et al. 2000). In comparison with terrestrial meat which contains 14 mg calcium/100 g, mollusks, crustaceans and fish contain 26–68 mg calcium/100 g (Tacon
and Metian 2013). Moreover, calcium from salmon and cod bones has a better
absorption (Malde et al. 2010).
Phosphorus is also a key factor in bone health and the composition of cell membranes. Moreover, phosphorous is also an important component of nucleoproteins,
nucleic acids, as well as organic phosphates i.e. adenosine triphosphate and creatine
phosphate. Martınez-Valverde et al. (2000) reported that 700 g of phosphorous are
found in the body, of which 80% is found in bones, 10% in viscera and 9% in the
skeletal muscles (Ghosh and Joshi 2008). Phosphorus deficiency is related to a
S. Hassan et al.