The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Non Life Sciences
  3. Chemistry
  4. What are some minor Elements in our Human Body?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

What are some minor Elements in our Human Body?

  • 2 Replies
  • 5859 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tansika (OP)

  • First timers
  • *
  • 1
  • Activity:
    0%
What are some minor Elements in our Human Body?
« on: 05/02/2013 10:27:03 »
Minor chemical newbielink:http://bodyparticles.com/composition-table.php [nonactive] and its percentage.

Lithium (Li)-0.0000031%
Beryllium (Be) -0.000000005 %
Boron (B) -0.000069 %
Fluorine (F) 0.0037%
Sodium (Na) -0.15 %
Magnesium (Mg) -0.05%
Aluminum (Al) - 0.000087%
Silicon (Si) - 0.002%
Sulfur (S) - 0.25%
Chlorine (Cl) - 0.15%
Potassium (K) - 0.35%
Titanium (Ti) - 0.000013%
Iron    (Fe) - 0.006%
Cobalt (Co) - 0.0000021%
« Last Edit: 06/02/2013 14:12:07 by JP »
Logged
 



Offline CliffordK

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 6596
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 61 times
  • Site Moderator
Re: Minor Elements in our Human Body
« Reply #1 on: 05/02/2013 22:48:32 »
Interesting list of elements. 

That doesn't mean that the existence of an element in the body indicates that it is a vital mineral, or that it has any positive physiological function.

So, according to your link, one also finds the following elements:

Arsenic (As) 0.000026%
Radium (Ra) 0.00000000000000001%
Uranium (U) 0.00000013%

And, it is quite likely that smokers would also have a measurable amount of Polonium-210 (Po) in their bodies.

With the Arsenic, Radium, Uranium, and Polonium all being toxic and quite possibly carcinogens, even at low concentrations.
Logged
 

Online evan_au

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 11036
  • Activity:
    9.5%
  • Thanked: 1486 times
Re: Minor Elements in our Human Body
« Reply #2 on: 06/02/2013 10:57:01 »
It is thought that about 2 dozen elements are essential for human life - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_mineral#Essential_chemical_elements_for_mammals

When it comes to really common elements like silicon which are everywhere, but needed in very low concentrations, it becomes very hard to prove whether they are needed or not.

But if you have a balanced diet, you will get enough of the essential elements, so you don't need to buy fancy trace elements. Generally, where dietary intake is inadequate (eg goiter in mountainous regions due to lack of iodine), this is now recognised by medical authorities, and corrected by supplementing the food supply (like iodine in salt).
Logged
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags:
 
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.408 seconds with 33 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.