WHAT IS ARSENIC? Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally as both an organic (coming from plants and animals) and inorganic (coming from the soil and water) compound. It is most famous for being poisonous in large doses but recent research suggests that it is an essential micromineral (or trace element) in humans when taken in smaller amounts. However, its exact role in the body is unclear. In this article I will be discussing arsenic in greater detail. WHEN WAS ARSENIC DISCOVERED? Awareness of arsenic dates back to ancient times where the Chinese, Greeks, Egyptians and Romans … [Read more...]
Zinc Explained
WHAT IS ZINC? Zinc is a micromineral (or trace element) that is found mainly in high protein foods. It has a number of important roles in the body supporting proper metabolism and a strong immune system. In this article I will be providing you with a full breakdown of this important nutrient. WHEN WAS ZINC DISCOVERED? Awareness of zinc ores dates back many years. In Transylvania an alloy containing 87% zinc was found in prehistoric ruins. Objects made of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) have also been discovered in Palestine and are thought to date back to around 1300 … [Read more...]
Silicon Explained
WHAT IS SILICON? Silicon is a micromineral (or trace element) that supports the development and maintenance of the connective tissues and skeletal system. In this article I will be discussing silicon, its role in the body, the best food sources and much more. WHEN WAS SILICON DISCOVERED? Silicon was first recognised as an element in 1787 by the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier. He identified silicon as part of the compound silicate but was unable to isolate it. In 1800 Sir Humphry followed up on this work and mistakenly concluded that silicon was a compound. However, in 1823 the … [Read more...]
Selenium Explained
WHAT IS SELENIUM? Selenium is a micromineral (or trace element) that protects your body from damaging free radicals (a harmful by-product of oxygen related reactions in the body) and reduces inflammation in the body. In this article I will be providing you with an in-depth look at this important nutrient. WHEN WAS SELENIUM DISCOVERED? Selenium was discovered by the two Swedish chemists Jons Jakob Berzelius and J. G. Gahn in 1818. They were studying the chemicals within sulphuric acid and found a material that they thought was the rare element tellurium. Berzellius studied this … [Read more...]
Nickel Explained
WHAT IS NICKEL? Nickel is a micromineral (or trace element) that assists in the absorption of iron and the production of red blood cells. Today I am going to be discussing this nutrient in greater detail. WHEN WAS NICKEL DISCOVERED? When early miners first came across nickel they were confused as to what it actually was because it acted in a similar way to many existing metals. For example, both copper and nickel were found in ores with a green tint. However, both ores reacted in different ways to heat. In 1751 Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt made the breakthrough and … [Read more...]
Molybdenum Explained
WHAT IS MOLYBDENUM? Molybdenum is a micromineral (or trace element) that joins with and activates certain enzymes. In this article I will be providing a full overview of this important nutrient. WHEN WAS MOLYBDENUM DISCOVERED? Early chemists believed that molybdenum disulphide (a compound of molybdenum and sulphur) and graphite (pure carbon) were both the same material due to their similar appearance. However, in 1778 Carl Wilhelm Scheele discovered that they were in fact two different materials. He performed further research on molybdenum disulphide and found that it contained a … [Read more...]
Manganese Explained
WHAT IS MANGANESE? Manganese is a micromineral (or trace element) that activates a number of enzymes in the body. It also supports strong, healthy bones. In this article I will be discussing manganese in greater detail. WHEN WAS MANGANESE DISCOVERED? One of the main ores of manganese is pyrolusite (a compound of manganese and oxygen – manganese dioxide). Early artists used this ore in two ways; to give glass a purple colour and to remove colour from glass. During the mid 1700s chemists started to suspect that pyrolusite may contain a new element and started to analyse it in more … [Read more...]
Iron Explained
WHAT IS IRON? Iron is a micromineral (or trace element) that supports the production of haemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen around the body). In this article I will be providing a full overview of this important nutrient. WHEN WAS IRON DISCOVERED? Awareness of iron dates back to around 3400 B.C. when the Ancient Egyptians are believed to have used iron found in meteorites to create tools and jewellery. However, exact details regarding the discovery of iron are unknown. HOW DOES YOUR BODY USE IRON? An average adult stores 3-4g of iron in their … [Read more...]
Iodine Explained
WHAT IS IODINE? Iodine is a micromineral (or trace element) that is required for good thyroid health and proper metabolism. In this article I will be discussing iodine in greater detail. WHEN WAS IODINE DISCOVERED? Iodine was discovered in 1811 by the French chemist Bernard Courtois. He made the discovery when helping his father make compounds of potassium and sodium from seaweed. These compounds were then sold on to large industrial business who used them as an ingredient in products such as baking soda and table salt. To isolate these compounds Courtois collected seaweed from … [Read more...]
Chromium Explained
WHAT IS CHROMIUM? Chromum is a micromineral (or trace element) that helps control levels of blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol in the body. It was discovered in 1797 by the French scientist Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin. In this article I will be discussing chromium in greater detail. WHEN WAS CHROMIUM DISCOVERED? Chromium was first recognised as part of the mineral Siberian red lead which was discovered by the German mineralogist Johann Gottlob Lehmann in 1766. Scientists were unsure of what new elements Siberian red lead contained because it had a form and colour they had never … [Read more...]