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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

TD-DFT Guided Advanced E-Eye Sensing Technique for On-site Quantification of Fe, Cr, F, and As in the Environmental, Biological, and Food Samples

TD-DFT Guided Advanced E-Eye Sensing Technique for On-site Quantification of Fe, Cr, F, and As in the Environmental, Biological, and Food Samples

Published on: September 19, 2025

Trace Elements in Human Nutrition.

A B Morrison, J A Campbell

Canadian Medical Association Journal

|March 24, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Iron and iodine are the only trace elements with proven human deficiencies. Supplementation beyond iron is not recommended for the general public without medical advice.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

TD-DFT Guided Advanced E-Eye Sensing Technique for On-site Quantification of Fe, Cr, F, and As in the Environmental, Biological, and Food Samples

TD-DFT Guided Advanced E-Eye Sensing Technique for On-site Quantification of Fe, Cr, F, and As in the Environmental, Biological, and Food Samples

Published on: September 19, 2025

Area of Science:

Human nutrition
Dietary supplements

Background:

Trace elements are essential for human health, but deficiencies are rare.
Evidence of deficiency is clear only for iodine and iron.
Many vitamin-mineral preparations contain excessive trace elements.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the necessity of trace elements in dietary supplements.
To determine which trace elements, if any, are deficient in Canadian diets.
To provide guidance on the appropriate use of trace element supplements.

Main Methods:

Review of existing scientific literature on trace element requirements and deficiencies.
Analysis of dietary patterns and fortification practices in Canada.
Assessment of the justification for adding specific trace elements to supplements.

Main Results:

Only iron deficiency is a potential concern in Canadian diets.
Potassium iodide is mandated in Canadian table salt, ensuring adequate iodine intake.
No evidence supports widespread deficiency of other trace minerals in the general population.

Conclusions:

Iron is the only trace element justifiable for addition to general public supplements in Canada.
Trace elements other than iron should not be marketed directly to consumers.
Physician consultation is advised for assessing the need for non-iron trace element supplementation.