Minerals are inorganic substances that are required in the human diet. They are taken in in small amounts. Minerals have many health benefits. A mineral deficiency exists when an individual does not take in enough of a certain mineral. This can seriously affect one 's health. Two mineral deficiencies in humans are iron and magnesium. In this paper these two mineral deficiencies will be discussed. First, the significance of mineral deficiencies will be discussed. Then, the symptoms of these deficiencies will be observed. Next, this paper will explore the benefits of magnesium and iron. After that, studies and new findings involving these two mineral deficiencies will be examined. Methods of detecting mineral deficiencies will be
…show more content…
Iron is an important mineral because it is involved with the transport and storage of oxygen in hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia. Anemia occurs when one has low amounts of hemoglobin. Iron is critical for hemoglobin formation. The majority of the iron in the body is located in the hemoglobin. Iron deficiency has many negative symptoms. Some symptoms are dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, headaches, and cold hands or feet. People with iron deficiency often feel exhausted. They report feeling like they do not have enough energy. Iron deficiency can negatively affect immune function and efficiency of immune function. Additionally, it can lower cognitive abilities. (Rowland; Naigamwalla; …show more content…
Magnesium stabilizes DNA. It also is related to the function of telomerase. Telomerase elongates telomeres in the body. Elongate telomeres have been associated with reduced aging. Therefore, magnesium can also slow down the aging process (Rowe). Magnesium activates enzymes and it regulates many of the nutrients that are in the body. Along with that, it can help to produce cellular energy and stabilize mitochondria (“Magnesium; Lucia Volpe). Additionally, magnesium is important for heart health and also many processes that occur in the brain (“Is lack”; “Magnesium key”).
A variety of studies involving mineral deficiencies have been conducted. One study was conducted on athletes with iron deficiency anemia. This showed that the anemia affected the subjects’ athletic performances. Other studies involving iron deficiency have been conducted on both animals and humans. In that animal studies it was shown that the animals were negatively affected by iron deficiency even if they did not have anemia. In human studies, however low levels of iron with no anemia did not seem to have much of an effect on the test subjects (Rowland).
MINERAL
Iron is an important mineral because it is involved with the transport and storage of oxygen in hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia. Anemia occurs when one has low amounts of hemoglobin. Iron is critical for hemoglobin formation. The majority of the iron in the body is located in the hemoglobin. Iron deficiency has many negative symptoms. Some symptoms are dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, headaches, and cold hands or feet. People with iron deficiency often feel exhausted. They report feeling like they do not have enough energy. Iron deficiency can negatively affect immune function and efficiency of immune function. Additionally, it can lower cognitive abilities. (Rowland; Naigamwalla; …show more content…
Magnesium stabilizes DNA. It also is related to the function of telomerase. Telomerase elongates telomeres in the body. Elongate telomeres have been associated with reduced aging. Therefore, magnesium can also slow down the aging process (Rowe). Magnesium activates enzymes and it regulates many of the nutrients that are in the body. Along with that, it can help to produce cellular energy and stabilize mitochondria (“Magnesium; Lucia Volpe). Additionally, magnesium is important for heart health and also many processes that occur in the brain (“Is lack”; “Magnesium key”).
A variety of studies involving mineral deficiencies have been conducted. One study was conducted on athletes with iron deficiency anemia. This showed that the anemia affected the subjects’ athletic performances. Other studies involving iron deficiency have been conducted on both animals and humans. In that animal studies it was shown that the animals were negatively affected by iron deficiency even if they did not have anemia. In human studies, however low levels of iron with no anemia did not seem to have much of an effect on the test subjects (Rowland).
MINERAL