Spurenelement

Spurenelement, also known as a trace element, is a chemical element that is required by living organisms in very small amounts for normal growth, development, and health. The precise amount needed varies by organism and element, but these nutrients are distinct from macroelements because they are required in only tiny concentrations. In humans, trace elements are typically supplied through a varied diet and are measured in micrograms to milligrams per day. The set of elements commonly regarded as essential includes iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, and cobalt (as part of vitamin B12); other elements may be conditionally essential in certain species or contexts.

Functions of Spurenelemental nutrients are diverse. They often act as cofactors for enzymes, participating in oxidation-reduction reactions, electron transport, or catalytic processes. They can also serve structural roles or be involved in hormonal regulation and antioxidant defense. For example, iron is central to hemoglobin and many enzymes; zinc supports a broad range of enzymes and transcription factors; copper is essential for iron metabolism and respiration; selenium is part of selenoproteins with antioxidant functions; iodine is required for thyroid hormones; chromium is linked to glucose metabolism; molybdenum is a cofactor for several oxidoreductases; cobalt is a component of vitamin B12.

Dietary sources include meat, seafood, dairy, grains, legumes, and vegetables, with soil quality influencing content in plants. Deficiency or excess can cause health problems, ranging from anemia (iron) to goiter (iodine) or impaired immune function, while toxicity from overexposure to certain trace elements is also possible. Modern nutrition and toxicology study Spurenelemente to understand their roles, requirements, and safe intake ranges.