559
quate (Chandra 1990). The largest quantities of manganese are found in avocados,
nuts and seeds, seaweed, and whole grains and in blueberries, egg yolks, legumes,
dried peas, pineapples, and green leafy vegetables (Karak et al. 2017).
Molybdenum Molybdenum is an essential trace element for humans, plants and
animals. In plants, it is taken up as MoO 4
2−
and is involved in NO 3 reduction, protein
synthesis and biological N 2 fixation. In humans, molybdenum has been reported to
reduce the incidence and severity of dental caries (Burguera and Burguera 2007)
and is beneficial to individuals with sulfite sensitivity, asthma and elevated urinary
ratios. Mo supplementation in human diets has also shown anti–carcinogenic benefits (Miller et al. 1991; Penney 2004). Although Mo is essential, it might create
adverse effects if exposure is excessive to humans through food and beverage
(Penney 2004).
Potassium Potassium plays an essential role in the fluid balance in the body and
regulates the heartbeat. Its imbalance with in body may result in irregular heartbeats, diarrhea, excessive sweating, vomiting and even death. If brain cells are
affected, a potassium deficiency can cause a stroke (Marcus 2013) which can be
prevented by taking sufficient amount of K in the food. It can also reduce high blood
pressure (BP) when taken in desired amounts (Khokhar et al. 2012). It is found
mainly in fish, fruits and vegetables like baked potato, banana, cantaloupe, lima
beans, orange juice, poultry, meats, whole grains, tea and yogurt (Gibney et al.
2009; Marcus 2013).
Phosphorus Phosphorus functions for energy metabolism and in bone metabolism. About 80% of the body’s phosphorus is found in bones, and is essential for
cellular function in phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions. It also acts as
a buffer in acid–base balance, and in cellular structure as part of the phospholipid
membrane. Because of its essential role in energy production, severe hypophosphatemia can be a life–threatening event. Phosphorus deficiency symptoms include
impaired cardiac function, reduced contractions of the diaphragm leading to a
weakened respiratory state, confusion, reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, coma,
and even death. It is present in animal products like meats and milk, dried beans etc.
(Gibney et al. 2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016).
Sulfur Sulfur is associated as integral constituent of some amino acids and proteins in food. Sulfur helps these amino acids in maintaining their shapes so that they
can perform their roles in the human body. It helps to make cells rigid, such as those
that are found in the hair, nails and skin. Sulfur deficiency leads to extreme protein
deprivation and can be avoided by intake of protein supplements (Gibney et al.
2009; Marcus 2013). Sulfur is found in dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, poultry and
seafood, cabbage, eggs, dairy products, fish, garlic, legumes, meats, nuts, onions,
raspberries, and wheat germ.
Fluorine Fluorine is generally found in drinking water in the form of fluoride. A
small amount of fluoride is present in soil, plants, and animal tissues (Rinzler 2011).
It is a highly protective trace mineral for emerging teeth and dental maintenance and
25 Bioavailability of Nutrients and Safety Measurements
quate (Chandra 1990). The largest quantities of manganese are found in avocados,
nuts and seeds, seaweed, and whole grains and in blueberries, egg yolks, legumes,
dried peas, pineapples, and green leafy vegetables (Karak et al. 2017).
Molybdenum Molybdenum is an essential trace element for humans, plants and
animals. In plants, it is taken up as MoO 4
2−
and is involved in NO 3 reduction, protein
synthesis and biological N 2 fixation. In humans, molybdenum has been reported to
reduce the incidence and severity of dental caries (Burguera and Burguera 2007)
and is beneficial to individuals with sulfite sensitivity, asthma and elevated urinary
ratios. Mo supplementation in human diets has also shown anti–carcinogenic benefits (Miller et al. 1991; Penney 2004). Although Mo is essential, it might create
adverse effects if exposure is excessive to humans through food and beverage
(Penney 2004).
Potassium Potassium plays an essential role in the fluid balance in the body and
regulates the heartbeat. Its imbalance with in body may result in irregular heartbeats, diarrhea, excessive sweating, vomiting and even death. If brain cells are
affected, a potassium deficiency can cause a stroke (Marcus 2013) which can be
prevented by taking sufficient amount of K in the food. It can also reduce high blood
pressure (BP) when taken in desired amounts (Khokhar et al. 2012). It is found
mainly in fish, fruits and vegetables like baked potato, banana, cantaloupe, lima
beans, orange juice, poultry, meats, whole grains, tea and yogurt (Gibney et al.
2009; Marcus 2013).
Phosphorus Phosphorus functions for energy metabolism and in bone metabolism. About 80% of the body’s phosphorus is found in bones, and is essential for
cellular function in phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions. It also acts as
a buffer in acid–base balance, and in cellular structure as part of the phospholipid
membrane. Because of its essential role in energy production, severe hypophosphatemia can be a life–threatening event. Phosphorus deficiency symptoms include
impaired cardiac function, reduced contractions of the diaphragm leading to a
weakened respiratory state, confusion, reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, coma,
and even death. It is present in animal products like meats and milk, dried beans etc.
(Gibney et al. 2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016).
Sulfur Sulfur is associated as integral constituent of some amino acids and proteins in food. Sulfur helps these amino acids in maintaining their shapes so that they
can perform their roles in the human body. It helps to make cells rigid, such as those
that are found in the hair, nails and skin. Sulfur deficiency leads to extreme protein
deprivation and can be avoided by intake of protein supplements (Gibney et al.
2009; Marcus 2013). Sulfur is found in dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, poultry and
seafood, cabbage, eggs, dairy products, fish, garlic, legumes, meats, nuts, onions,
raspberries, and wheat germ.
Fluorine Fluorine is generally found in drinking water in the form of fluoride. A
small amount of fluoride is present in soil, plants, and animal tissues (Rinzler 2011).
It is a highly protective trace mineral for emerging teeth and dental maintenance and
25 Bioavailability of Nutrients and Safety Measurements