Which trace minerals are lost from cereal grains

Energy — Carbohydrates of cereal grains such as corn, sorghum grain, wheat and barley supply most of the energy in swine rations. Energy may also come from fats, oils, and protein. Metabolizable Energy is defined as the gross or total energy of the feed minus the energy lost in the feces and urine.

Digestible Energy is the gross energy of the feed intake minus the energy lost in the feces. It does not take into account energy lost in urine. When expressed as DE, it is desirable for growing finishing rations to contain 1, kilocalories kcal per pound.

When expressed as ME, a corresponding value would be approximately 1, kcal. Protein — Part of the protein in a swine ration will come from cereal grains. However, the protein of cereal grains is of rather poor quality for swine as a result of the low content of certain essential amino acids such as Lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine.

This necessitates the addition of a high quality protein supplement such as soybean meal, peanut meal, milk byproducts, meat and bone meal, or others. However, meat and bone meal or tankage contain high levels of calcium and phosphorus, which can result in too high mineral content in a swine ration if excessive amounts are fed.

Soybean meal, which is readily available in Oklahoma, is usually the most feasible supplement to use for swine rations. Minerals —Most swine rations need supplemental sources of minerals.

Cereal grains are especially low in calcium and are only a fair source of phosphorus, since much of the phosphorus in cereal grains is unavailable to the pig. Swine rations based largely on cereal grains and soybean meal need supplementation of both of these minerals. Other minerals needed in most swine rations include sodium, chlorine, copper, iron, iodine, zinc, manganese and selenium.

Sodium and chlorine are supplied by salt. Trace mineral mixes, trace mineralized salt or combination trace mineral-vitamin premixes are normally used to supply trace minerals. Supplying trace minerals through combination trace mineral-vitamin premixes is the most popular method in Oklahoma.

If a combination trace mineral-vitamin premix is the method used, the following ingredients level using 5 pounds per ton will be adequate:. Zinc 4. Vitamins — Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, riboflavin, niacin pantothenic acid, choline, and Vitamin B12 are the vitamins that normally need to be supplemented to a swine ration.

Vitamin premixes or combination trace mineral-vitamin commercial premixes can be purchased to supply these vitamins. A vitamin premix supplying the following amounts of ingredients per pound and using 5 pounds per ton will be more than adequate in these vitamins when using feed grains such as corn, sorghum grain, barley, wheat, or oats in combination with soybean meal.

Vitamin A , I. Vitamin D 80, I. Vitamin E 3, I. Vitamin K mg. Riboflavin 1, mg. Chlorine is a substance that is present in all fluids the body makes, such as stomach acid hydrochloric acid. Like sodium and potassium, chlorine is also responsible for fluid balance, electrical neutrality and balancing acids and bases.

Chlorine in the form of chloride is a negatively charged ion which is used by the body to balance potassium and sodium, both of which have a positive charge. Similarly to sodium, and slightly counterintuitive, eating acidic foods appears to inhibit the absorption of chlorine. Calcium is required for bones, teeth and nails. It is also used by muscles, blood vessels, nerve cells, and in glands to make enzymes and hormones.

Having moderate amounts of calcium on a daily basis encourages the thyroid to increase parathyroid hormone. Calcium absorption 13 is impaired through oxalates, phytates, troubles absorbing fats, and ingesting too much calcium on a daily basis. Vitamin D3 which is generally converted from D2 through sunlight is necessary for the absorption of calcium.

Additionally, Vitamin K2 is required to ensure our bones retain calcium and a lack thereof results in calcium loss. Many people are calcium deficient as a result of over-consumption as well as Vitamin D3 and K2 deficiencies.

Magnesium and phosphorus are also required to effectively absorb calcium, other trace minerals we need to ensure we get enough of to maintain our inner radiance! Aluminium prevents the absorption of calcium. Magnesium is one of the trace minerals we need in the largest quantities for nearly every bodily process.

We use it mainly for muscle and nerve function, regulating blood pressure and glucose levels, and for maintaining protein, bones and DNA. Magnesium in combination with Vitamin C, acts as an effective natural laxative and often provides immediate relief. Consuming adequate amounts of each on a daily basis helps to maintain regularity. This trace mineral also facilitates muscle relaxation, which may be helpful for lessening the intensity of stress.

While calcium requires magnesium for absorption, if the intake of calcium is too high, one will absorb neither calcium or magnesium! Boron is another essential trace mineral that appears to enhance magnesium absorption. Alcohol, diuretics and contraceptives all hinder the absorption of magnesium from our diets. Phosphorus is another acidic trace mineral that the body needs for bones, nerve cells, muscles, DNA production, and fat metabolism.

It is the main component of ATP adenosine triphosphate , the energy storage molecule and is thus important for energy production and a working immune system. It comes second to calcium in terms of total body mass, making up a large portion of the nucleus and cytoplasm of most cells in the body. Soft drinks contain about milligrams of phosphorus per serving without any calcium, making this one of the leading contributors to poor wellness worldwide.

Fermenting these foods or cooking them can enhance bioavailability. While the following trace minerals are needed in relatively smaller amounts, they more than make up for quantity in terms of the diversity required! Iron is primarily needed for transporting oxygen around the body in the form of blood and making red blood cells. Many important proteins and enzymes are created from iron too. Phytic acid found in cereal bran and plant polyphenols, such as tannins, block the uptake of iron.

Other substances that hamper iron absorption include calcium and phosphorus. It plays a huge role in maintaining your immune system, facilitating toxin elimination, and providing antioxidant protection.

The body uses zinc to make DNA and other proteins, to grow, develop and repair tissues. Zinc lozenges exist because the mineral is known to potentially soothe a sore throat and give our immunes a boost. Manganese is a trace mineral that is intimately involved with how enzymes interact in the body. Other roles of Manganese include energy metabolism, thyroid hormone potency, blood sugar regulation, cerebral performance, and keeping free radicals in check.

Manganese supplementation has been used by athletes to help with protein and amino acid digestion and utilization. It directly interacts with the immune system and boosts the level of bodily antioxidants. High amounts of iron, calcium, phosphorus, phytate and insoluble fiber appear to inhibit absorption.

Copper is used in many bodily processes, but it is most important in blood where it works with iron to bind to oxygen. This trace mineral is also used to move chemical components around the body 19 , catalyze reactions 20 , create enzymes and hormones, as well as promote organ and nerve wellness. Even though severe copper deficiency is rare, studies reveal that the majority of individuals do not meet their daily dietary needs for copper consumption.

Fruit sugars appear to enhance the absorption of copper more than starch, along with iron, manganese, zinc, calcium and magnesium. Overdosing on zinc supplements may cause a serious copper deficiency. Cadmium and other heavy metals inhibit the absorption of copper. Copper is found in most fruits and vegetables in trace amounts. Foods with high levels of copper include:. Iodine is primarily used to create thyroid hormones, which in turn regulates metabolism and overall homeostasis in the body.

Iodine is also used by the body to combat the effects of radiation. In this day and age, electronic devices, cellphone masts and gaping holes in the ozone layer have contributed to an increased level of planetary radiation. High levels of dietary arsenic, potassium, bromine, fluorine and calcium can also lower iodine absorption, as can low levels of manganese and selenium.

Chromium is a trace mineral widely found in both plant and animal dietary sources. This trace mineral is primarily used to maintain blood sugar levels and it is noted that less insulin is needed by the body when higher levels of Chromium are present.

A recent study has shown that Chromium is found in the bone of hip joints, but was reported to be significantly lower in those with frail bones. Chromium is commonly added to diabetic drips in hospitals to aid sugar metabolism. It does this by enhancing the action of insulin. Antacid and phytates can prevent the absorption of Chromium. Excessive amounts of Zinc or Iron may deplete Chromium as they compete during metabolism. Vitamin C and certain organic acids enhance the absorption of Chromium.

Many grains, fruits and vegetables contain Chromium in trace amounts. The below foods have higher amounts. Molybdenum is a crucial component of enzymes that the body needs to metabolize chemical compounds with.

For example, this trace mineral forms a part of sulfite oxidase, which is necessary to break down all sulfur containing components within the body. Ingesting too much molybdenum results in highly acidic joints and muscles, but has no other known toxic side effects.

Most people receive adequate doses from their diets. Many foods contain this trace element, however these foods are some of the richest sources:. Selenium is required by our bodies for reproduction, DNA production, thyroid function, bone wellness and reducing free radical activity Selenium appears to play a key role in sustaining our overall youth and vitality.

Given that it decreases as we grow older and the body needs it to protect against free radical damage; maintaining adequate levels of Selenium may be a requirement for graceful aging! Consuming lower amounts of Selenium daily results in better absorption of this trace mineral. In a diet rich in the amino acid Methionine, less Selenium is required and thus less is absorbed. Soluble fiber also inhibits the absorption of Selenium. Most foods contain Selenium, but the amounts vary depending on the quality of the soil.

The below foods are rich in Selenium:. Cobalt is a trace mineral that forms a part of vitamin B after being digested by organisms. Our bodies need it for making red blood cells, maintaining neuronal wellness, metabolizing sugar and activating enzymes. It can be used to replace zinc or manganese in certain chemical reactions. Vegetarians may be deficient in B12 as animal products appear to be the only food source for it. However this is not necessarily the case.

Recent research on the gut microbiome has revealed that our friendly probiotic bacteria are also capable of producing this vitamin, if fed with enough soluble fiber and nutrients to sustain a beneficial colony in there! Although cobalt is found in many foods, we can only absorb it in the form of B Some probiotic bacteria convert it into B in our guts, which means that probiotics enhance absorption of cobalt from foods.

Bromine was originally considered non-essential, but it was recently discovered to have an important function. Many are exposed to toxic levels of Bromine in their drinking water and ought to filter their water to ensure optimal well-being. Bromine is readily absorbed through inhalation, the skin and the gut. Iodine appears to replace bromine in the body and promotes better excretion of excess bromine. Nickel is another new essential trace mineral discovery in the human body.

We use it in minute quantities for hormonal activity, urea production and metabolism of fats. Some electronic devices are coated with nickel, which may be absorbed through the skin. Usually, cereal grains have a relatively high concentration of starch, good palatability, and high digestibility. Corn is the leading cereal used in the United States and many pork producing countries.

Corn contains a greater energy density than other cereal grains and is usually the standard to which other cereal grains are compared.

Corn is the most common cereal grain used in swine diets in the United States and many countries around the world. Corn contains relatively greater energy level than other cereal grains due to its high concentration of starch and oil, and low concentration of fiber.

Oil content is around 3. These characteristics make the energy value of corn relatively greater than other cereal grains. Phosphorus content in corn is approximately 0. Improvements in genetic selection and modification have resulted in some corn varieties with enhanced nutrient profiles for use in swine diets. These corn varieties include nutrient dense, high oil, high lysine, and low phytate corn.

However, the market availability of these corn varieties is typically limited. Milo or sorghum is grown for human consumption, livestock feeding, and ethanol production in many countries around the world. Milo is an excellent energy source and can replace all or part of the corn in swine diets Stein et al.