Mineral, various, effect metabolism

Food Additives. Many natural and synthetic substances are added to foods to improve their color, odor, texture, and taste. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has established strict regulations governing food additives so that there is little likelihood of any direct toxic effects resulting from the proper use of such ingredients. However, some of these substances affect the utilization of certain minerals. Such effects may not Ite important to people who eat a little of everything, but they may be responsible in part for mineral deficiencies or toxicities in people whose diets are narrowly limited by choice, economic circumstances, or other factors. Therefore, some effects of various food additives on mineral metabolism follow ... 

Various additional oil-based adjuvants have subsequently been developed. Adjuvant 65, for example, consists of 86% peanut oil, 10% Arlacel A and 4% aluminium monostearate (as a stabilizer). Unlike mineral oil, peanut oil is composed largely of triglycerides, which are readily metabolized by the body. Although adjuvant 65 was initially proved safe and effective in humans, it displayed less adjuventicity than FIA. Its use was largely discontinued, mainly due to the presence in its formulation of Arlacel A. 

Phenolic acids are known to alter photosynthetic and respiration rates, cause stomatal closure, reduce chlorophyll content, modify the flow of carbon into various metabolic pools, and alter nutrient uptake in affected tissue (61-73). A common denominator for these multiple effects appears to be the action of phenolic compounds on membranes. They are soluble in membranes, and cause a reduction in ion accumulation in cells (71-73). Several phenolic acids cause membrane depolarization, especially at low pH, increasing membrane permeability to ions (72,73). This action undoubtedly impairs the proton gradient and ATP-driven ion transport. Logically, the effects phenolic acids have on membranes could disturb the water balance and mineral nutrition of seedlings, and research in my laboratory has established such a relationship. 

Asokan P, Tandon SK (1981) Effect of cadmium on hepatic metallothionein level in early development of the rat. Environ. Res 24 201-206 Bakka A, Webb M (1981) Metabolism of zinc and copper in the neonate changes in concentrations and contents of thionein-bound Zn and Cu with age in the livers of the newborn of various mammalian species. Biochem. Pharmacol 30 721-725 Bell JU (1980) Induction of hepatic metallothionein in the immature rat following administration of cadmium. Toxicol. Appl Pharmacol 54 148-155 Barltrop D, Khoo HE (1979) The influence of dietary minerals and fat on the absorption of lead. The Sci. Total Environ 6 265-273 Bushnell PJ, DeLuca HF (1981) Lactose facilitates the intestinal absorption of lead in weanling rats. Science 211 61-63... 

Stress and Trauma. Many types of stresses and traumas (the term used for sudden shocks, injuries, or wounds to the body) may alter various aspects of mineral metabolism. The reactions of the body to various types of stresses and traumas are similar because (1) such stresses as the deprivation of food or water, extremes of heat or cold, or emotional upsets may damage the body tissues in ways which are similar to the effects of trauma and (2) most traumas provoke substantial increases in the secretion of stress hormones by the pituitary and adrenal glands. The prolonged secretion of abnormally high levels of stress hormones may lead to excessive losses of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and zinc in the urine. Usually, such conditions are accompanied by greater than normal... 

---