A little curiosity
The glucomannan is mostly used in the Japanese cuisine. Its corm is chopped, dried and milled, so they produce konjac flour. From this flour they make the popular shirataki noodles.
Zinc
This mineral at room temperature is bluish, cold, metallic element. Its name comes from the German Zink names, in English also known as zinc. In the form of zinc alloys it has been known since the ancient times, but the material itself was produced only about 1300. Nobody was thinking about its role in the human body for a long time. The body has 2-3 gramm zinc, especially the hair and the eyes contain, but still can be found in the liver, kidneys, muscles and skin as well. The main natural sources: egg, legumes, liver, seafood, shrimp, pumpkin seeds, corn germ, nuts.
Why is it important?
Zinc is involved in the normal carbohydrate, macronutrients, fatty acids and vitamin A metabolism, as well as in the maintenance of normal aced-base balance. It assists to the maintenance of the normal ossature, vision and the normal state of hair, nails and skin. It also contributes to the normal operation of the immune system, to the protection of the cells against oxidative stress, to the maintenance of normal mental function and the normal DNA synthesis and the normal level of testosterone in the blood. It plays a role in cell division and the normal protein synthesis.
Iodine
Iondine is a brownish-black, shiny metallic solid, which was discovered in 1811 by Bernard Courtois. This mineral is one of the beneficial trace element for our body. It is a mineral which is present in some food naturally while others in added form. In normal state an adult body contains about 15-20 mg iodine. The main natural sources: marine fishes and plants, shellfish, iodized salt and water.
Why is it important?
The iodine is involved in the normal energy-producing metabolic processes. It assists to the normal producing of tyroid hormones and the normal function of tyroid, as well as to the normal function of the nervous system and the mental functioning. It also helps to preserve the normal state of the skin.
Selenium
Its name comes from the moon goddess of the Greek mythology. It is proved since the end of 1800’s, that the selenium is an essential trace element for our body, because it contains a certain enzyme called glutathione peroxidase that protects the body against toxins. In the human body there is only 10-15 mg selenium. The main natural sources: Brazil nuts, tuna, sunflower seed, rice, red meat, poultry, bakery products from whole wheat flour and cashew nuts.
Why is it important?
With vitamin E they mutually enhance each other’s beneficial effects, therefore contributing to the protection of cells against oxidative stress. In addition, the selenium assists to the maintenance of the normal state of the nails and the hair, as well as to the normal function of the tyroid and the immune system.
Chromium
Chromium is one of the essential trace elements of the human body. Our organism needs very little amount of this element, but it plays an extremely important role in our body and has multiple physiological effects. The chromium can be found in the kidneys, liver and the spleen.
The main natural sources
Peanuts, green peas, brewer’s yeast, potatoes, whole grains, egg, beans.
Why is it important?
It is involved in the normal metabolism of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and assists to the maintenance of normal blood sugar level.
