trace minerals

Last reviewed 10/2023

Trace minerals are those inorganic elements which are present at concentrations within the body of less than 50 mg/kg. Note that trace minerals are not necessarily essential for life. Essential trace minerals often produce a clinical deficiency state that is seemingly disproportionately excessive given their concentration; this is a corollary of their central role in enzyme and hormone structure.

The group includes:

  • arsenic
  • chromium
  • cobalt
  • copper
  • fluorine
  • iodine
  • iron
  • manganese
  • molybdenum
  • nickel
  • selenium
  • silicon
  • tin
  • vanadium
  • zinc