Trace elements are components of food that are found in very small amounts in the human body. They should not be confused with minerals. Nevertheless, most have vital functions: They are needed for incorporation into components and cells of the body, which in turn are necessary for transport, defense against pathogens and maintenance of substance. Trace elements are also dangerous precisely because of their rarity in the body, because an overdose can lead to side effects or even dangerous clinical pictures. Trace elements largely include metallic substances, for example, iron, copper or chromium, but also iodine and arsenic.
Importance of trace elements
Trace elements are components of food that are found in the human body in very small quantities. They should not be confused with minerals.
As a rule, there is no need to administer trace elements, because humans obtain them in sufficient quantities from food. However, if this is not the case, deficiency symptoms can occur, which are manifested differently depending on the trace element. Some deficiency symptoms can be compensated for without the help of a doctor, for example by taking vitamin tablets that also contain trace elements.
Depending on the element, the respective trace element can also be purchased as a separate product. In other cases, on the other hand, a visit to the doctor is necessary to initiate the right supplementation – this is the case, for example, with nutritional anemia.
In this case, the person lacks iron and initially needs tablets to fully compensate for the deficiency. If trace elements are administered by a doctor, their purpose is to make up for an existing deficiency as quickly as possible and to ensure, at least for a short time, that the person receives the element from sources other than food.
This eliminates possible symptoms of disease, especially dangerous deficiencies or those that greatly affect the daily life of the person concerned. The goal, however, should be to be able to discontinue supplementation, since the changed diet provides sufficient trace elements. Caution should be exercised in medical use, however, when overdosing. While vitamins and other nutrients can hardly be overdosed, an excess of trace elements in the body can definitely have a harmful effect and ensure that new signs of disease develop.
Importance of minerals for training and sports
Trace elements have an immense importance for sports partly because of their effect in the body. First of all, all trace elements are important and must be included in the athlete’s diet, because this is only powerful if his body receives each substance in the right amount.
At the same time, specific trace elements are more significant than others because they directly affect a body function that is important in sports. The athlete’s iron level, for example, must remain constantly at the right level, since iron is necessary for oxygen transport and thus also contributes to performance.
Trace elements do not have doping potential, however. When administered, they merely fulfill their task until they are overdosed – then they trigger pathological phenomena in the athlete, just like in any other person.
Those who practice sports intensively should first pay attention to proper nutrition, since trace elements are always most valuable when they come from their natural source and have not been artificially produced.
In addition, certain natural trace elements are better absorbed when combined with other foods, so athletes can tailor meals to that as well. Those who feel they need a larger amount of a trace mineral can supplement on their own or with their doctor.
