Endpoints for determining mineral element requirements; an introduction
O'Dell, B.L.
Journal of Nutrition 126(9 Suppl): 2342s-2344s
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 8811796 Document Number: 459487
There are numerous measures of essential mineral element status, including growth rate, tissue and physiological fluid concentrations, enzyme concentrations and activities, chemical balance and mobilizable stores. For the adult human, blood and its specific nutrient concentrations provide a useful but frequently inadequate index. The first limiting biochemical system should provide the most valid index, but in many cases it is unknown or not readily measured. Chemical balance and mobilizable stores provide valid measures but are difficult to determine. Two indices are infinitely more valuable than one and should be determined if possible. More research is needed to establish valid indicators of nutritional status for mineral elements. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.