trace mineral


trace mineral

Any of a group of metal ions present in minimal (milligram or microgram) amounts in biological systems, which are required for their optimal activity. Trace mineral enzyme cofactors play critical roles in the organisation of molecules, membranes and mitochondria, and include chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, silicon, vanadium and zinc. These minerals are maintained in a delicate balance between toxic excess and nutritional deficiency that may induce metabolic failure, an event most common in total parenteral nutrition.