Importance of Chemical Elements for Human Beings

Some elements in nature are necessary to the human body, and some are harmful. Any essential element for human metabolism or growth and development is called an essential element; otherwise, it is a non-essential element. The essential elements are divided into two types: constant elements and trace elements. Adults need more than 100 mg daily called constant elements, adults need to be less than 100mg daily as trace elements. Non-essential elements are also divided into two categories. One is that the human body's metabolism and growth and development are not needed, but after a small amount of intake, it will not produce severe pathological phenomena. Entering a small amount can also cause disease or severe metabolism. These elements are often called harmful elements or toxic elements, such as mercury, cadmium, lead, etc.

The Function of the Essential Element

There are many types of essential elements and different functions. In summary, there are several aspects:

(1) Important materials that constitute the body: such as calcium, phosphorus, etc. are important components of bones and teeth.

(2) Maintain the acid-base balance of the body: various physiological changes in the body need to have a stable internal environment with a stable acid and alkali. The acidic elements in the solution include chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus, etc. Essence The alkaline elements in the solution include calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc., and have a lot of content in vegetables and fruits.

(3) Maintain the osmotic pressure of tissue and cells: For example, potassium ions maintain the ionic infiltration pressure of the cells, and sodium ions maintain the lymphatic fluid osmotic pressure so that the internal and external osmotic pressure of the cells can be maintained.

(4) It constitutes many important physiological and active substances in the body: such as iodine is the ingredient of thyroid hormones, iron is the ingredient of hemoglobin, and zinc, selenium, molybdenum, iron, etc. are the components of many enzymes.

(5) Related to nerve, muscle excitement, contraction, etc.

Trace Element

There are many trace elements in chemical elements, and trace elements have a great effect. It acts as an activity center for various enzymes in the organism and promotes metabolism. Enzymes are indispensable catalysts in many chemical reactions, while many trace elements are part of the enzymes or activists.