TERTIARY BIOELEMENTS: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - BIOLOGY - 2024

The tertiary bioelements, also called trace elements, are chemical elements required by the body in very small quantities. They play an important role in speeding up biochemical reactions in the human body.

Trace elements are metallic components such as chromium, iron, fluorine, cobalt, nickel, selenium, zinc, manganese, iodine, molybdenum, copper, bromine, vanadium, boron, and silicon.

Iron is a tertiary bioelement present in red meat.

Trace elements correspond to less than 0.1% of a person's nutritional requirement. Both the excess and the shortage of tertiary bioelements can induce health problems.

Where are tertiary bioelements found?

Tertiary bioelements are present in different food groups, depending on their nature.

The main trace elements and the foods where they can be found will be mentioned below:

Iron

Iron is present in proteins of animal origin, such as red meat, fish and poultry. Spinach, cereals, and grains are also an important source of iron.

An adequate intake of iron facilitates the transport of oxygen through the blood, and the correct operation of the central nervous system and the immune system.

Copper

Copper is also present in shellfish and liver, as well as in chocolate and brewer's yeast. Its intake helps in brain functions and promotes healthy skin.

Zinc

Zinc is predominantly found in the liver of animals, shellfish, and poultry. Its consumption favors the formation of enzymes and the functions of the immune system.

Fluorine

It can be found in some root vegetables, such as potatoes, whole grains, cauliflower, onion, garlic, and fish. Its consumption helps to strengthen tooth enamel and the bone system.

Manganese

Manganese is available in whole grains, walnuts, spinach, ginger, tea leaves, pineapple, cardamom, and wheat bran.

It is important for the correct functioning of the central nervous system and acts as an excellent antioxidant, stimulating the production of collagen.

Cobalt

Cobalt is present in red meat, seafood, liver, and especially in blue fish.

Cobalt helps regulate glucose metabolism, and plays an important role in DNA synthesis and regulation of the nervous system.

Iodine

Iodine is easily found in iodized salt, eggs, milk, shellfish, fish, and seaweed. Its intake provides benefits for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, in addition to reactivating blood circulation.

Lithium

Lithium is available in whole grains, shellfish, oily fish, and even plants like lavender, thyme, and rosemary.

Its consumption favors the regulation of the central nervous system and helps balance emotional states such as stress, nerves, anxiety, depression, among others.

Importance of tertiary bioelements

Trace elements make considerable contributions to the fulfillment of elemental functions in the human body.

Also known as tracking elements, they play an important catalytic role in the formation of enzymes, provide stability to the molecular structure, and even participate in certain regulatory processes.

Low consumption of trace elements can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies.

That is the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, with important portions of proteins, whole grains, yeasts, fruits and grains.

References

1. Definition of Trace Element (2016). Recovered from: encyclopediasalud.com
2. Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk (1989). National Research Council United States, Committee on Diet and Health. Washington DC, USA. National Academies Press.
3. Importance of Trace Elements in the Human Body (nd). Recovered from: healthyeating.sfgate.com
4. Table of trace elements: function, food and supplements (2016). Recovered from: vidanaturalia.com
5. Trace Element (1998). Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. London, UK. Recovered from: britannica.com
6. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Trace element Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org