The human body is a miraculous, well-oiled and extremely complex machine. It takes many functional parts to come together for a person to live a healthy life – and every biological detail in our body, from the mundane to the most magical, is guided by just 21 chemical elements. Of the 118 elements on Earth, only 21 of them are found in the human body. Together, they synthesize the mixture of divergent molecules that combine to form our DNA, cells, tissues, and organs. Based on the data presented by the International Committee for Radiological Protection (ICRP), in the above infographic, we analyze a human body in terms of its elemental composition and the percentages in which they exist. These 21 elements can be categorized into three main elements depending on the amount found in a human body, the main structural element (4 elements), the essential metals (8 elements) and the trace elements (9 elements).
The Elemental Four: Ingredients for Life
Four elements, namely oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, are considered the most essential elements in our body. Oxygen is the most abundant element in the human body, accounting for about 61% of a person’s mass. Since about 60-70% of the body is made up of water, it is no surprise that oxygen and hydrogen are two of the most abundant chemical elements in the body. Together with carbon and nitrogen, these elements combine for 96% of body mass. Here is a look at the composition of the four elements of life: Item Weight of body mass (kg) Percentage of body mass (%) Oxygen 43 kg 61.4% Carbon 16 kg 22.9% Hydrogen 7.0 kg 10.0% Nitrogen 1.8 kg 2.6% The prices are for an average human body weighing 70 kg. Let’s take a look at how each of these four chemical elements contributes to the thriving function of our body:
Oxygen
Oxygen plays a critical role in the body’s metabolism, respiration and cellular oxygenation. Oxygen is also found in every important organic molecule in the body, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats and nucleic acids. It is an essential component of everything, from our cells and blood to our brain and spinal fluid.
Carbon
Carbon is the most critical building block and the reason we are known as carbon based life forms. It is the basic building block required for the formation of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Breaking down carbon bonds in carbohydrates and proteins is our main source of energy.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen, the most abundant chemical element in the universe, is present in all body fluids, allowing toxins and waste to be transported and eliminated. With the help of hydrogen, the joints in our body remain lubricated and able to perform their functions. It is also said that hydrogen has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to improve muscle function.
Nitrogen
A key component of the amino acids used to make peptides and proteins is nitrogen. It is also an integral part of DNA and RNA nucleic acids, the chemical backbone of genetic information and our genealogy.
Necessary and Supplementary Minerals
Essential minerals are important to keep your body healthy. Your body uses minerals for a variety of processes, including keeping your bones, muscles, heart and brain functioning properly. Minerals also control the production of beneficial enzymes and hormones. Minerals such as calcium are an important component of our bones and are required for bone growth and development, along with muscle contractions. Phosphorus contributes to the strength of bones and teeth and is vital for energy metabolism. The following is a look at the elemental composition of basic metals: ItemWeight of body mass (g) Percentage of body mass (%) Calcium1000 g1.43% Phosphorus780 g 1.11% Potassium140 g0.20% Sulfur140 g0.20% Chlorine100 g0.14% Sodium95% Magnesium3014 g0.14% Sodium95. 2 g0.01% The prices are for an average human body weighing 70 kg. Other macro-minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron and sodium are essential for cell-to-cell communication, such as electrical transmissions that generate nerve impulses or heart rhythms and are essential for maintaining thyroid and bone health. . Excessive deficiency of any of these minerals can cause various disorders in your body. Most people get these minerals as part of their daily diet, including vegetables, meat, legumes and fruits. In case of deficiencies, however, these metals are also prescribed as supplements.
Biological Composition of Trace Elements
Trace elements or trace elements are small amounts of metals found in living tissues. Some of them are known to be nutritionally necessary, while others may be considered unnecessary. They are usually found in minimal amounts in our body and make up only 1% of our mass. Leading among these are trace elements such as zinc, copper, manganese and fluoride. Zinc acts as the first responder to infections and therefore improves resistance to infections, while balancing the immune response. Here is the distribution of trace elements in our body: Item Weight of body mass (mg) Percentage of body mass (%) Fluoride2600 mg0.00371% Zinc2300 mg0.00328% Copper72 mg0,00010% Iodine13 mg0.00002% Manganese12 mg0.00100 mg0.0000002% Manganese12 mg0.00. % Chromium6,6 mg0,00001% Cobalt 1,5 mg0,000002% The prices are for an average human body weighing 70 kg. Although only found in traces, copper plays a key role in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of healthy nerve cells. It also helps in the formation of collagen, a critical part of bones and connective tissue. Even with ongoing research and studies being conducted to fully understand the uses and benefits of these trace elements, scientists and researchers are constantly making new discoveries. For example, recent research shows that some of these trace elements could be used to treat and control chronic and debilitating diseases ranging from ischemia to cancer, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
