The human body is a miraculous, well-oiled, and exceptionally complex
machine. It requires a multitude of functioning parts to come together for a
person to live a healthy life—and every biological detail in our bodies, from
the mundane to the most magical, is driven by just 21
chemical elements.
Of the 118 elements on Earth, just 21 of them are found in the human
body. Together, they make up the medley of divergent molecules that combine to
form our DNA, cells, tissues, and organs.
Based on data presented by the International Commission on Radiological
Protection (ICRP), in the above infographic, we have broken down a human body
to its elemental composition and the percentages in which they exist.
These 21 elements can be categorized into three
major blocks depending on the amount found in a human body, the main building block (4 elements), essential minerals (8 elements), and trace elements (9 elements). The Elemental Four: Ingredients for Life
Four elements, namely, oxygen,
carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen, are considered the most essential elements
found in our body.
Oxygen is the most abundant element in the
human body, accounting for approximately 61% of a person’s mass. Given that
around 60-70% of the body is water, it is no surprise that oxygen and hydrogen
are two of the body’s most abundantly found chemical elements. Along with
carbon and nitrogen, these elements combine for 96% of the body’s mass.
Let’s take a look at how each of these four chemical elements contributes to the thriving functionality of our body:
Oxygen
Oxygen plays a critical role in the body’s
metabolism, respiration, and cellular oxygenation. Oxygen is also found in
every significant organic molecule in the body, including proteins,
carbohydrates, fats, and nucleic acids. It is a substantial component of
everything from our cells and blood to our cerebral and spinal fluid.
Carbon
Carbon is the most crucial structural element and the
reason we are known as carbon-based life forms. It is the basic building block
required to form proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Breaking carbon bonds in
carbohydrates and proteins is our primary energy source.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen, the most abundantly found chemical element
in the universe, is present in all bodily fluids, allowing the toxins and waste
to be transported and eliminated. With the help of hydrogen, joints in our body
remain lubricated and able to perform their functions. Hydrogen is also said to
have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping improve muscle
function.
Nitrogen
An essential component of amino acids used to build peptides
and proteins is nitrogen. It is also an integral component of the nucleic acids
DNA and RNA, the chemical backbone of our genetic information and genealogy. Essential and Supplemental Minerals
Essential minerals are important for your body to
stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for several processes, including keeping
your bones, muscles, heart, and brain working properly. Minerals also control
beneficial enzyme and hormone production.
Minerals like calcium are a significant component of
our bones and are required for bone growth and development, along with muscle
contractions. Phosphorus contributes to bone and tooth strength and is vital to
metabolizing energy.
Other macro-minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron, and sodium are essential for cell-to-cell communications, like electric transmissions that generate nerve impulses or heart rhythms, and are necessary for maintaining thyroid and bone health.
Excessive deficiency of any of these minerals can
cause various disorders in your body. Most humans receive these minerals as a
part of their daily diet, including vegetables, meat, legumes, and fruits. In
case of deficiencies, though, these minerals are also prescribed as
supplements.
Biological Composition of Trace Elements
Trace elements or trace metals are small amounts of
minerals found in living tissues. Some of them are known to be nutritionally
essential, while others may be considered to be nonessential. They are usually
in minimal quantities in our body and make up only 1% of our mass.
Paramount among these are trace elements such as
zinc, copper, manganese, and fluorine. Zinc works as a first responder against
infections and thereby improves infection resistance, while balancing the
immune response.
Even though only it’s found in trace quantities, copper is instrumental in forming red blood cells and keeping nerve cells healthy. It also helps form collagen, a crucial part of bones and connective tissue.
Even with constant research and
studies performed to thoroughly understand these trace elements’ uses and
benefits, scientists and researchers are constantly making new discoveries.
For example, recent research shows
that some of these trace elements could be used to cure and fight chronic and
debilitating diseases ranging from ischemia to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.
