Trace Minerals

What are Trace Minerals?

• Trace minerals, also called trace elements or trace metals, are minerals found in small amounts in living tissues. 

• Some trace minerals are considered nutritionally essential, meaning they must be obtained in the diet since the human body is unable to make them in a sufficient amount to meet its needs. 

• Other trace minerals such as: aluminum, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and lead are not only non-essential, but they are commonly ingested as contaminants in food and water.

  • These non-essential trace minerals are responsible for heavy metal poisoning.

• All the essential trace minerals play important roles in the body such as acting as antioxidants to protect the body from inflammation and cellular damage. They support the blood system and act as enzymes to ensure healthy growth and the functioning of certain hormones. Trace minerals are also necessary for proper development of the brain and brain function.

• Children with autism have been found to have lower levels of certain trace minerals such as iron, chromium, zinc, iodine, manganese, and molybdenum.

List of Essential Trace Minerals

• Iron - is an essential mineral for growth and development. Iron is vital for the formation of hemoglobin, which is a protein in your red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

• Zinc - is involved in hundreds of important processes in the body including metabolizing nutrients, immune system support, and the health of body tissues and wound healing.

• Fluoride - helps to remineralize the tooth surface, which helps teeth to stay strong and smooth and prevents cavities from forming. 

• Copper - is involved with many enzymes that have a role in energy production, iron metabolism, and the synthesis of connective tissue and neurotransmitters. It is important for making new blood vessels, regulation of gene expression, brain development, skin coloration, and immune function.

• Chromium - plays a role in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and helps control glucose levels by helping insulin function properly.

• Iodine - is a critical element needed for the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate many processes in the body, especially reactions that are critical for metabolic activity. 

• Manganese - plays a role in the metabolism of amino acids, cholesterol, and glucose, bone formation, reproduction, and the human body’s immune response.

• Selenium - plays a role in reproduction, fetal development, hormone metabolism, thyroid function, DNA synthesis, and supports a healthy immune system.

• Molybdenum - is essential for almost all living organisms because it functions as a cofactor for different enzymes in the body. It plays a role in the regulation of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon. [4] Molybdenum activates enzymes that help break down harmful sulfites and prevent toxins from building up in the body.

Food Sources of Trace Minerals

• Iron:

  • Beef or chicken liver, clams, mussels, and oysters, beef, poultry, pork, and fish (sardines, halibut, haddock, salmon, tuna, etc)

• Zinc:

  • Red meat, shellfish, legumes (chickpeas, beans, lentils), nuts & seeds, eggs, whole grains, dairy, certain vegetables like potatoes and kale, and dark chocolate

• Fluoride:

  • Some foods may contain trace levels of fluoride including coffee, shrimp, oatmeal, raisins, and others.

• Copper:

  • Beef, liver, potatoes, sunflower seeds, avocado, milk, and apples

• Chromium: 

  • Whole wheat bread, brewer’s yeast, grape juice, orange juice, beef, apple juice, and green beans

• Iodine:

  • Iodized salt, seaweed, cod, yogurt, bread, fruit cocktail, shrimp, milk, eggs, cheese, and apple juice

• Manganese:

  • Pecans, oysters, spinach, pineapple, whole wheat bread, blueberries, apples, and milk

• Selenium:

  • Brazil nuts, ham, macaroni, turkey, cottage cheese, eggs, whole wheat bread, marinara sauce, and bananas

• Molybdenum - 

  • Beans, nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals, milk, cheese, and beef liver

Source: Autism Dietitian Instagram

Recommended Intake

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), is the average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%–98%) healthy individuals. 

To learn more about the RDA for each of the essential trace elements, visit each individual page below and scroll to the “Recommended Intake” section!

• Iron

• Zinc

• Fluoride

• Copper

• Chromium (note coming soon!) 

• Iodine

• Manganese

• Selenium

• Molybdenum

Source: Autism Dietitian Instagram

Deficiency

Severe trace mineral deficiency is uncommon in the Western world, however moderate to mild deficiencies of individual minerals are more common but may lead to less easily recognized symptoms. Trace mineral deficiencies typically develop due to prolonged dietary insufficiency. 

• Symptoms of deficiency may include:

  • Anemia

  • Fatigue

  • Irregular heartbeat

  • Hair loss

  • Brain fog

  • Unexplained weight loss/weight gain

  • Slow growth

  • Blood sugar imbalances

  • Weakness

  • Dizziness

  • Diarrhea

• Those at risk for trace mineral deficiency may include:

  • Not eating enough or a variety of foods

    • Picky and problem eaters

    • Those with decreased appetite

  • Malabsorption of minerals due to digestive concerns such as Celiac disease, IBD, or gastrointestinal surgeries.

  • Genetic disorders that impact mineral utilization

  • Increased use or need

  • Excessive loss in blood, urine, or stool

  • Mineral interference due to excessive intakes of competing nutrient

Toxicity

• Although all 9 trace minerals are each necessary in very small amounts, large intakes of any of them can be toxic and harmful for human health. 

  • The most common trace mineral deficiencies are iron and zinc.

• Heavy metal toxicity occurs when the body absorbs/retains too much of a particular metal. This occurs most commonly with the following non-essential trace minerals:

  • Mercury

  • Cadmium

  • Lead

  • Arsenic

• Those at risk for toxicity may include:

  • Long term excessive intake or exposure to heavy metals

  • Decrease excretion which may be due to:

    • Liver or kidney disease

    • Genetic disorders (i.e. Wilson’s disease)

Supplements

Trace Minerals are often included in kid’s multivitamins

• If you are looking to supplement solely with trace minerals, we really like Concentrate Trace Minerals Drops

  • Per the company’s directions: Children age 2-3: Take 1 drop for every 5 lbs of body weight. We recommend mixing it with juice or food and dividing the serving throughout the day to mask the concentrated mineral flavor. Begin regimen by taking 10 drops for 3 consecutive days. Each day thereafter, increase serving by 10 drops up to teaspoon (40 drops) once or twice daily. 

Note: All supplements are linked to Amazon for convenience, however, buying supplements on Amazon does not guarantee quality, as there are many “unverified resellers” selling nutrition supplements. To buy supplements that are verified to be sent directly to the consumer, you can create an account on the Autism Dietitian FullScript and search for the respective supplement under “Catalog”.

DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.

Trace Minerals & Autism in the Research

HAIR TRACE MINERALS & AUTISM

• A study of children with autism showed 29 %, 41 %, and 24 % lower hair levels of chromium, iodine, and vanadium, respectively, whereas the level of selenium was 31% higher than in children without autism. [5]

• Generally, the results of the study demonstrate that children with autism are characterized by lower levels of both essential and toxic minerals in hair.

• More research needs to be conducted to determine the factors that contribute to these lower levels of trace minerals in children with autism.

HEAVY METAL TOXICITY & AUTISM

• One study examined the relationship between urinary excretion of heavy metals by children with autism and severity of autistic symptoms. [11]

• Overall, the study found multiple significant associations between the severity of autism and the urinary excretion of toxic metals, such that a higher body burden of toxic metals was associated with more severe autistic symptoms. [11]

IRON LEVELS AND AUTISM SYMPTOMS

• Iron levels are positively associated with Geriatric Depression Scores of children with autism.[8]

• Low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels within children with autism are correlated with severe ASD. [9]

• Iron deficiency could compromise the future communication and behavioral impairments of children with autism. [10]

• Children with Asperger syndrome have lower rates of iron deficiency than children with autism. [10]

ZINC LEVELS & AUTISM SEVERITY

• There are links between zinc levels found in the hair of autistic children decreasing as the child gets older. The lower the zinc levels within the hair then have an association with increased autistic behavioral symptoms such as defective functional play and creativity and increase of stereotyped behavior. [6]

• Hair levels of calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and selenium were considered deficient. There was a significant negative correlation between zinc & fear and nervousness (meaning that the lower the zinc levels, the more fear and nervousness). [7]

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• References

  [1] National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet and Health. Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1989. 14, Trace Elements. 

  [2] Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/. 

  [3] Office of Dietary Supplements - Zinc. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/. 

  [4] Kisker, C.; Schindelin, H.; Baas, D.; Rétey, J.; Meckenstock, R. U.; Kroneck, P. M. H. (1999). "A structural comparison of molybdenum cofactor-containing enzymes" (PDF). FEMS Microbiol. Rev. 22 (5): 503–521. 

  [5] Skalny AV, Simashkova NV, Klyushnik TP, et al. Hair toxic and essential trace elements in children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis. 2017;32(1):195-202. doi:10.1007/s11011-016-9899-6

  [6] Fiore M, Barone R, Copat C, et al. Metal and essential element levels in hair and association with autism severity. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2020;57:126409.

  [7] Blaurock-busch E, Amin OR, Dessoki HH, Rabah T. Toxic Metals and Essential Elements in Hair and Severity of Symptoms among Children with Autism. Maedica (Buchar). 2012;7(1):38-48.

  [8] Guo M, Li L, Zhang Q, et al. Vitamin and mineral status of children with autism spectrum disorder in Hainan Province of China: associations with symptoms. Nutr Neurosci. 2018.

  [9] Gunes S, Ekinci O, Celik T. Iron deficiency parameters in autism spectrum disorder: clinical correlates and associated factors. Ital J Pediatr. 2017;43(1):86.

  [10] Latif A, Heinz P, Cook R. Iron deficiency in autism and Asperger syndrome. Autism. 2002;6(1):103-14.[11]Adams JB, Baral M, Geis E, et al. The severity of autism is associated with toxic metal body burden and red blood cell glutathione levels. J Toxicol. 2009;2009:532640. doi:10.1155/2009/532640

Authors

Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT

Sinead Adedipe, MS