Nutrients human mineral requirements

Water accounts for over half the body mass (55%) of the average human. Of the remaining 45%, 19% is protein, 19% is lipid, less than 1% is carbohydrate, and 7% is inorganic material. Nutrients must contain the raw materials that go into the construction of the components of the human body. In addition, nutrients must supply the necessary chemical energy and enzyme cofactors (vitamins and trace metal elements) that are required for the maintenance and growth of the human body. The human body requires nutrients such as water, amino acids, fats, carbohydrates, and major minerals in large amounts. Vitamins and trace metal elements are required in smaller amounts. 

LRNI, Lower Reference Nutrient Intake RNI, Reference Nutrient Intake Al, Adequate Intake RDA, Recommended Dietary Allowance. Sources UK Department of Health (1991) Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom, Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41. London HMSO. USA Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine (2000) Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and Carotenoids. Washington, DC National Academy Press. WHO/FAO WHO/FAO (2002) Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation, Bangkok, Thailand. Rome WHO/ FAO. 

Nutrition. Zinc is essential to the proper functioning of plants and animals and, as zinc sulfate and oxide, it is used as a feed supplement (49—51) (see Mineral nutrients Feedsand feed additives). Most crops use less than a kilogram of zinc per 1000 m per year, so that zinc salts added at 1.3—4.5 kg/ha gradually build up the zinc reserve (52). Animals, including humans, store relatively Htde available zinc and, thus, require a constant supply in the diet. For instance, beef cattle require 10—30 mg/kg dry feed, dairy cattle 40 mg/kg, and breeding hens 65 mg/kg. Zinc from plants is considered less available to monogastric aminals than zinc from animal protein. 

Copper is one of the twenty-seven elements known to be essential to humans (69—72) (see Mineral nutrients). The daily recommended requirement for humans is 2.5—5.0 mg (73). Copper is probably second only to iron as an oxidation catalyst and oxygen carrier in humans (74). It is present in many proteins, such as hemocyanin [9013-32-3] galactose oxidase [9028-79-9] ceruloplasmin [9031 -37-2] dopamine -hydroxylase, monoamine oxidase [9001-66-5] superoxide dismutase [9054-89-17, and phenolase (75,76). Copper aids in photosynthesis and other oxidative processes in plants. 

Zinc is a required mineral nutrient in the diet of animals and the signs and effects of a dietary deficiency have been described in several species ( ). Nutritional zinc deficiency has also been described in humans (2). Signs of nutritional zinc deficiency may be manifest even though the individual is consuming an amount of dietary zinc that exceeds the usually designated requirement (2). Thus, bloavailabillty of dietary zinc is a factor that must be evaluated in considering adequacy of dietary intake (jl). 

ALTHOUGH ZINC WAS KNOWN as a required mineral nutrient for the diets of animals, zinc deficiency in humans diets was not recognized until the early 1960s. Individuals consuming an amount of dietary zinc exceeding the usual designated requirement still may show signs of nutritional zinc deficiency. Thus, the adequacy of zinc in humans diets must be evaluated based on the bioavailability of dietary zinc. 

A module is a powder or liquid allowing addition of nutrients (i.e., protein, carbohydrate, or fat) to supplement a commercially available enteral formulation (Table 138-9). Addition of a modular product may be necessary, especially in children, to achieve a nutrient mix not supplied by a single commercially available product. Alternatively, formulations available in powder or concenbate can be mixed with less water than needed for the standard dilution to deliver more nutrients in less volume. Infant formulas generally are concentrated beyond their standard concentration (standard varies depending on type) in this way. However, keep in mind the mixing process required for modular components increases the potential for introducing bacterial contamination. This problem has been particularly identified with the use of blenders and reconstitution of powders. Human miUc fortifiers are available for supplementation of human miUc so that it meets the needs of a premature infant. Human milk fortifiers add additional calories, protein, and minerals and have been shown to improve nutritional outcomes in human milk-fed premature infants. " ... 

The Eood and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences publishes information on the quantities of vitamins and minerals that are required in the diet. These are called recommended dietary allowances (RDA) and are defined as "the levels of intake of essential nutrients considered adequate to meet the known nutritional needs of practically all healthy persons." The RDA is determined by obtaining an estimate of the range of normal human needs. The value at the high end of the range is chosen, and an additional safety factor is added. Thus the RDA is by no means a minimum value, but rather a high estimate of daily requirements. It is important to remember that serious physical problems can follow ingestion of megadoses of many minerals or vitamins. 

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are used quite a lot and refer to a set of four nutrient-based reference values that represent the approach to provide quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes. The DRIs replace and expand on the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for the United States and the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) for Canada. The DRIs consist of the RDAs, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), and the Adequate Intake (AI). Generally, each of these values represents average daily nutrient intake of individuals in the diet (Goldhaber, 2003 Murphy and Poos, 2002 Parr et ah, 2006 Trumbo et ah, 2001 Yates et ah, 1998). In addition, dietary intake data for minerals could be assessed within the context of the bioavailability and other factors affecting the utilization of elements by the human body, such as age, sex, and health aspects (Dokkum, 1995). 

No requirement for boron in mammals is proven, although evidence is accumulating suggesting that boron may be an essential nutrient. Boron is related to normal energy utilization, immune function, and metabolism of bone, minerals, and lipids. Boron deficiency (<0.04 mg B/kg ration of dams) impairs early embryonic development in rodents these effects were not observed at 2.0 mg B/kg ration. Boron deprivation in animals and humans results in decreased brain electrical activity similar to that observed in nonspecific malnutrition, and reduced cognitive and psychomotor function. Learning performance (manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, memory, attention, perception) in humans was... 

Although it may not satiate a person s hunger, water is one of the most important nutrients required by the body. Water is the major component of every cell in the body and the environment within which every chemical reaction in the body takes place. It serves as a medium of transport for nutrients and waste, and it helps maintain a steady body temperature. Other chemical components found in food and important for human nutrition include vitamins and minerals. These nutrients serve a variety of essential functions. For example, vitamin E is an antioxidant, a substance that inhibits oxidizing reactions that can damage cells, and vitamin G helps the body process amino acids and fats. Calcium and magnesium are both minerals that are important in the formation of strong, healthy bones. 

Quality factors are discussed in the report of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce that accompanied the 1980 Infant Formula Act. An ingredient can only be used commercially (incorporated into infant formulas for sale) after the requirements of Section 412 (e.g., nutrient requirements and quality factors) are satisfied. This means that the new ingredient must be incorporated into the formula and the formula must then be tested for each required nutrient (i.e., protein, fat, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals) under 21 U.S.C. 350a, Section 412(i). However the FD C Act also mandates that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health of Human Services establish requirements for quality factors consistent with the scientific knowledge and states that the nutrient and nutrient level required by the Act may be revised. Under current regulations, the concept of quality factors has not been developed the requirements focus on meeting the level of specific nutrients. 

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