Trace and ultra trace elements in nutrition: An overview

Abstract

The general environment and especially diet or nutrition are well recognized to be major factors determining some part of the human cancer incidence and this is reflected in extensive studies which have focused both on aspects of epidemiological approaches and experimental animal research. Another important area of modern nutrition research is concerned with the role of trace and ultra trace elements both in chemically‐induced oncogenesis and toxicology. The focus of this presentation is to highlight and review the role in humans and animals of the more important trace elements such as copper, zinc, and chromium in terms of their essentiality, effects of their deficiency, their role in pregnancy cause and outcome, their biological availability and interactions as well as aspects of their recommended daily allowance. Additionally, the potential role of a number of ultra trace elements in nutrition such as arsenic, nickel, and vanadium will also be reviewed.