Minerals deficiency symptoms

Cobalt is one of twenty-seven known elements essential to humans (28) (see Mineral NUTRIENTS). It is an integral part of the cyanocobalamin [68-19-9] molecule, ie, vitamin B 2> only documented biochemically active cobalt component in humans (29,30) (see Vitamins, VITAMIN Vitamin B 2 is not synthesized by animals or higher plants, rather the primary source is bacterial flora in the digestive system of sheep and cattle (8). Except for humans, nonmminants do not appear to requite cobalt. Humans have between 2 and 5 mg of vitamin B22, and deficiency results in the development of pernicious anemia. The wasting disease in sheep and cattle is known as bush sickness in New Zealand, salt sickness in Florida, pine sickness in Scotland, and coast disease in AustraUa. These are essentially the same symptomatically, and are caused by cobalt deficiency. Symptoms include initial lack of appetite followed by scaliness of skin, lack of coordination, loss of flesh, pale mucous membranes, and retarded growth. The total laboratory synthesis of vitamin B 2 was completed in 65—70 steps over a period of eleven years (31). The complex stmcture was reported by Dorothy Crowfoot-Hodgkin in 1961 (32) for which she was awarded a Nobel prize in 1964. 

Inorganic mineral elements that have a function in the body must be provided in the diet. When the intake is insufficient, deficiency symptoms may arise, eg, ane-... 

Clockwise from top left) Plant problems Pea plants stressed by drought and heat leaf yellowing between the veins, a common symptom of mineral deficiency red currant bush with most of its leaves stripped to skeletons by the pest gooseberry sawfly the fungal disease potato blight... 

Mineral deficiencies can cause plants to fail and show symptoms of "disease" (technically disorder), but in a well-ordered organic... 

Occasionally, especially In alkaline soil, trace elements, although present, may not be soluble due to the high pH, and are therefore unavailable to the plant. On these occasions, additional supplies might be needed (see pp.54-55). Mineral deficiencies can also be caused by too much of another element overdo potassium-rich fertilizers, for example, and you may "lock up" magnesium so that plants develop symptoms of magnesium deficiency. 

Mottling, marking, and even crisping of leaves can all be the result of mineral deficiencies. Fruits may also spoil and wither. However, mineral deficiencies are often difficult to confirm from symptoms alone and can easily be confused with diseases, especially viruses. If a problem persists, it may be necessary to have the soil analyzed professionally (see also The Soil, p.30). 

MCS is characterized by different phases and many different symptoms. Chronic fatigue is a symptom of MCS. It s also common for patients with fibromyalgia and CFS to be chemically sensitive. Chronic exhaustion along with MCS can have many causes small infections in the body, a yeast infection, sensitivity to electro smog, vitamin or mineral deficiency and, of course, chemical sensitivity. If the consistent avoidance of chemical substances does not bring about improvement, it s advisable to start researching other possible causes and to have yourself tested for a possible imbalance in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. 

In agriculture, excesses or deficiencies of essential and beneficial elements (Epstein, 1972 Hewitt and Smith, 1975 Webber, 1981) have profound effects on the health and hence the yields of plants. Chlorosis is often the visible deficiency symptom (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, 1984). However, disturbances of metabolic processes and consequent losses of biomass production may occur before deficiency symptoms are recognised. Thus the analysis of plants for mineral and nutrient status is particularly important in agriculture. The agricultural agencies of many countries publish recommended analytical methods (for example, HMSO, 1986). 

About 25 elements have been found to be essential, since a deficiency produces specific deficiency symptoms. All of the minerals required by the human body are probably not known at this time. Although minerals may not be part of the structures of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, they are mixed in the foods in trace amounts during the growing process by uptake from the soil. 

I studied with Rocine for a while, read all of his books (now mostly out of print), and attended many of his lectures in subsequent years. Over the years, he researched the symptoms of dietary deficiencies and excesses of what he considered the sixteen most important chemical elements. He was the first person I know who believed in the window theory of limitations of food minerals. That is, if your intake is below a certain amount, you experience deficiency symptoms, and if your intake is above a certain amount, you experience toxic effects. (The latter is now known to be only true of some nutrients, not all, but the window theory is widely accepted for most nutrients.) You have to take in the right amount of minerals, within upper and lower limits, to get the most good from them. 

Table 1 illustrates the correlation of plasma carboxyhemoglobin levels with severity of symptoms. At 10% -20% COHb, a human may be asymptomatic, or have a slight headache, at 20%-30% COHb, a feeling of malaise and fatigue. At levels of 30%-40% COHb, symptoms will be more severe and once saturation of between 40% and 60% has been reached, victims will experience seizures and may lapse into a coma. At levels above 60%, death is extremely likely. In reality however, this clinical picture is complicated due to inter-individual differences in susceptibility to exposure with age, body size and general health and even mineral deficiencies, such as anaemia. 

Wallace T (1961) The diagnosis of mineral deficiencies in plants by visual symptoms. 3rd ed., Her Majesty s Stationery Office, London. 

Tso, T.C., J.E. McMurtrey Jr, and R.N. Jeffrey Mineral deficiency and organic constituents in tobacco plants. III. Plant growth and alkaloid contents related to gradual development of calcium or boron deficiency symptoms Plant Physiol. 37 (1962) 804—808, see 3984. 

Mineral deficiency strongly affects the development of leaves and of the photosynthetic apparatus. We were interested to know whether carbon flux is more restricted in mineral deficient leaves by the thylakoid system or the Calvin cycle. Spinach was grown under mineral deficiency as shown in Tab. 1. Leaves of different age were detached and photosynthesis and F was measured. Rates of photosynthesis were on a unit leaf area basis consistently higher in the control leaves than in leaves deficient in phosphorus, sulfur or nitrogen. Sulfur and old nitrogen deficient leaves were chlorotic. F was increased under all deficiency conditions and particularly so in old leaves of phosphate and nitrogen starved plants and in young leaves of sulfur-deprived plants. The increase in F clearly correlated with the development of pronounced deficiency symptoms and reduced rates of photosynthesis. The data indicate that mineral deficiency introduces flux limitations in the Calvin cycle. 

Proof that the deficiency produced by the inclusion of mineral oil in the diet is a fat deficiency was based not only upon the typical symptoms which developed but also upon the fact that the inclusion of 50 mg. of linoleate per day in the diet prevented them. Moreover, there was an increased excretion of fatty acids in the feces of mineral oil-fed rats in addition, the fecal fatty acids were found to have an increased iodine value after the ingestion of mineral oil. However, it is believed that this effect cannot be ascribed solely to the solvent action of the hydrocarbon on EFA, since the deficiency symptoms were prevented by the administration of linoleate either orally or intraperitoneally. 

Signs or Symptoms of Mineral Deficiencies Laboratory Tests for Mineral Deficiencies Prevention and Treatment of Mineral Deficiencies and/or Toxicities... 

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS. Naturally occurring deficiency of molybdenum in human subjects is not known, unless utilization of the mineral is interfered with by excesses of copper and/or sulfate. 

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS. Dietary deficiencies of phosphorus in man are unlikely, since this mineral is present in nearly all foods. However, deficiencies are seen in people in certain clinical conditions in persons receiving excessive antacids over long periods, and in certain stress conditions such as bone fractures. 

Vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes— Studies have shown that during moderate to severe stresses, more zinc, copper, magnesium, and calcium are lost in the urine. Furthermore, stress results in altered blood levels of vitamins A and C, and of zinc and iron. Also, part of the response to stress includes water and sodium retention, via veisopressin and aldosterone secretion. As for the water-soluble vitamins—thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine (B-6), pantothenic acid, folic acid, and vitamin C stress increases their requirement. However, no dietary recommendations are made for these nutrients for individuals under stressful situations. Still, it seems wise to supply some supplementation before deficiency symptoms appear. 

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS. A deficiency of vitamin D leads to inadequate absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract and to faulty mineralization of the bones and teeth, followed by skeletal malformations. The major deficiency symptoms follow ... 

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS. Many dietary factors seem to contribute to the development of vitamin E deficiency symptoms among them, total fat, unsaturated fats, cod-liver oil (which is high in unsaturated acids), amount of protein, choline, cystine, inositol, cholesterol, vitamin A, and minerals... 

The results obtained in these types of fir forests, developed on various kinds of substratum do not permit a strict correlation to be established between the yellowing symptoms and a particular mineral deficiency of the soils. 

Among the heavy metals, iron and zinc occupy the first place they have been discussed in detail in Chapt. XXI-7. Many mineral substances are required only in minute amounts (trace elements). They are widely distributed and usually present in sufficient amounts in the diet. After all, our food is derived exclusively from living material, from plants or animals, and for that reason should contain all the essential elements. In some circumstances, however, deficiency symptoms may develop (the most widely known examples are the endemic goiter due to iodine deficiency, and anemia due to iron deficiency). 

---