Lack of copper may increase the bad LDL cholesterol and diminish the good HDL cholesterol in your blood. Researchers regard it as a contributor to heart and circulatory problems, fatigue, iron deficiency anemia, and changes in hair and skin color.
Sources: Seafood such as oysters and crab, sardines, nuts and seeds, mushrooms, and whole-wheat bread.
Iodine. The body keeps about 60% of its iodine in the thyroid gland, located in the neck. This gland uses the iodine to manufacture two hormones—T3 or tri-iodothyronine and T4 or thyroxine—that regulate your body’s metabolism, including the rate at which you burn calories, as well as convert carotene to vitamin A, synthesize cholesterol and proteins, and absorb carbohydrates. Iodine also plays a role in maintaining connective tissue, the tendons and ligaments that hold bones and muscles together. Iodine is also important for the physical and mental development of children.
Signs of iodine deficiency may include fatigue, cold hands and feet, poor concentration and memory, and an enlarged thyroid gland. Obesity may also indicate a deficiency.
Sources: Fatty fish such as haddock, mackerel, herring, salmon, and trout, as well as salt and dairy.
Iron. Two thirds of your body’s iron occurs in hemoglobin, the molecule that colors blood red and carries oxygen to all the cells of
Copper. Your body needs copper to convert iron into hemoglobin, the blood pigment that carries oxygen to your cells. It also helps make tyrosine (an amino acid precursor of the thyroid hormones) and some of the neurotransmitters, and helps give your hair and skin its color. Copper also aids the proteins that make you grow, as well as assisting in the workings of your nervous system, the release of energy, and the control of inflammation and free radical damage. Copper, along with zinc and manganese, forms an essential part of all the antioxidant enzymes of the body by acting as a co-factor for optimal enzyme functioning.
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 - 32 - 33 - 34 - 35 - 36 - 37 - 38 - 39 - 40 - 41 - 42 - 43 - 44 - 45 - 46 - 47 - 48 - 49 - 50 - 51 - 52 - 53 - 54 - 55 - 56 - 57 - 58 - 59 - 60 - 61 - 62 - 63 - 64 - 65 - 66 - 67 - 68 - 69 - 70 - 71 - 72 - 73 - 74 - 75 - 76 - 77 - 78 - 79 - 80 - 81 - 82 - 83 - 84 - 85 - 86 - 87 - 88 - 89 - 90 - 91 - 92 - 93 - 94 - 95 - 96 - 97 - 98 - 99 - 100
