ESSENTIAL TRACE MINERALS
Chromium (25 mcg): AI for women ages 19-50 is 25 mcg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-
- Chromium enhances the action of insulin, the hormone that determines how your body uses and stores sugar or glucose.
- It is also directly involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism itself.
Copper (900 mcg): RDA for women ages 19+ is 900 mcg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Copper-Consumer/
- Copper is needed for many physiologic processes like brain development, gene expression, and immune function.
- It is also involved in building blood vessels and connective tissue.
Iodine (150 mcg): RDA for women ages 19+ is 150 mcg
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Iodine is needed to make the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid hormones regulate many processes like protein synthesis, enzymatic activity, and metabolic activity.
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Thyroid hormones also help develop the skeletal and central nervous systems. If your body does not get enough iodine, then your thyroid gland will enlarge and cause a goiter.
Iron (18 mg): RDA for women ages 19-50 is 18 mg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
- Iron is mainly found in hemoglobin, a red blood cell protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. It is also found in myoglobin, which carries oxygen directly to muscles.
- Women need to pay attention to their iron levels more so than men because they lose iron during menstruation.
Manganese (1.8 mg): AI for women ages 19+ is 1.8 mg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Manganese-Consumer/
- Manganese is a cofactor for many enzymes that take part in the metabolism of glucose, cholesterol, and amino acids.
- It is involved in reproduction, the immune response, and making bones. It also works with vitamin K for blood clotting.
Molybdenum (45 mcg): RDA for women ages 19+ is 45 mcg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Molybdenum-Consumer/
- Molybdenum is used in cofactors that process genetic material and different proteins.
- It is also involved in breaking down toxins and drugs that enter your body.
Selenium (55 mcg): RDA for women ages 19+ is 55 mcg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-Consumer/
- Selenium makes up selenoproteins, which play critical roles in the body. They help with reproduction, DNA production, and thyroid hormone metabolism.
- It also helps protect your body from infections and damage caused by free radicals.
Zinc (8 mg): RDA for women ages 19+ is 8 mg
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/
- Zinc is required by about 100 different enzymes to work. It is needed by the immune system to defend against invaders as well as help wounds heal.
- It also plays a role in protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, cell division, taste, and smell.