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Health Benefits of Trace Elements in Human Diseases

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Abstract

Microorganisms are found almost everywhere and they are extremely adaptable to harsh conditions and survive wherever they are. Microorganisms are exploited by biotechnologists in traditional fortified foods, dairy foods, beverage preparation, and in modern technologies based on genetic engineering. However, there are many pathogenic microbes which are harmful and can cause death in human, plants, and animals. Some chronic non-communicable diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory diseases are well known to be caused by harmful microbes. Trace elements show a number of biochemical and physiological functions. Fortification of foods with traces of essential elements such as selenium, zinc, chromium, copper, silicon, as well as iron, nickel, and vanadium can prevent many of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Human health has a vital relationship with the balance of essential trace elements for the healthy functioning of human body. Supplementation with trace elements should be carefully controlled. When given in quantities exceeding those required for accomplishing their biological functions, they will cause toxic effects. The dietary reference intakes provided by national regulatory agencies are guides to define intake, supplementation, and toxicity of trace elements for humans.

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Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, Microbial Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth (formerly El Tahreer St.), Dokki, Giza, P.O 12622, Egypt

    Shadia M. Abdel-Aziz & Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz

  2. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India

    Neelam Garg

Authors
  1. Shadia M. Abdel-Aziz
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  2. Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz
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  3. Neelam Garg
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Correspondence to Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology,, Fac of Life Sciences, Kurukshetra Univ, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India

    Neelam Garg

  2. Gen Eng & Biotech Div, Microbial Chem De, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

    Shadia Mohammad Abdel-Aziz

  3. Department of Biosciences, DAV (PG) College, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Abhinav Aeron

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Abdel-Aziz, S.M., Abdel-Aziz, M.S., Garg, N. (2016). Health Benefits of Trace Elements in Human Diseases. In: Garg, N., Abdel-Aziz, S., Aeron, A. (eds) Microbes in Food and Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25277-3_7

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