Mineral Toxicity: Effects

Introduction

Mineral toxicity is caused when the nutrients consumed are present in abnormally high concentrations, causing health problems. 

Minerals are required in specific amounts by our bodies. Some are necessary in large quantities, while others are only required in trace amounts. As a result, minerals in diet are divided into two categories based on the body’s needs.

• Macronutrients
• Micronutrients

Macronutrients

are the minerals that are required in large quantities by the body. Hence, they are also known as major minerals or essential nutrients. Calcium, Sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium phosphorus and sulphur are examples of macro minerals.

Micronutrients

These minerals, often known as trace minerals, are required in minute amounts. So, they are also known as minor minerals or non- essential nutrients. Iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, fluoride, cobalt and selenium are all trace minerals.

Effects of mineral toxicity:

Mineral toxicity in plants can cause slow growth, root and leaf death, reduced branching, large cell and cell wall disintegration and modest changes in the cytosol pH.

Sodium toxicity:

A rise in sodium levels in the bloodstream can be harmful. Hypernatremia, or an increase in plasma sodium, causes cells in numerous body tissues to shrink, including brain cells. Confusion, unconsciousness, paralysis of the respiratory muscles, and death occur from brain cell shrinkage. When sodium chloride i.e., table salt or common salt was accidentally used to feed newborns instead of sugar, it resulted in death. When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) was used to treat severe diarrhoea or vomiting, it resulted in death due to sodium toxicity. 

Potassium toxicity:

cause cardiac arrhythmias or even death from cardiac arrest. Potassium poisoning can be dangerous; however, it is generally avoided due to the vomiting reflex. The intake of potassium by various cells of the body, as well as the action of the kidneys in transporting potassium ions from the blood to the urine, leads to minor increases in the concentration of potassium in the bloodstream. These levels of potassium do not become poisonous. When potassium chloride is injected intravenously, the body’s regulatory mechanisms can be readily overwhelmed, and excessive doses of injected potassium can easily result in death.

Iodine toxicity:

Thyroid hormone release is inhibited by high toxic levels of iodine, resulting in reduced thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream due to which thyroid gland enlarges, a condition called goitre or hyperthyroidism. Iodine toxicity causes a brassy taste in the mouth, increased saliva production, and skin ulcers, along with goiter. An ocean plant called kelp, with high levels of iodine, causes skin disease known as kelp acne. In Japan, where people eat a lot of seaweed, iodine poisoning is most common.

Iron toxicity:

This is common in small children due to the accessibility of iron-containing dietary supplements. Because these pills resemble candy, children are more inclined to consume excessive numbers of them. Iron toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, convulsions, and perhaps coma within six hours of intake followed by a terminal phase with  shock, liver damage, low blood sugar levels, convulsions and death occur in 12 to 48 hours after the fatal dose.

Calcium and phosphate:

Excessive calcium supplementation can cause calcium phosphate deposits in the body’s soft tissues. Overuse of phosphate-containing laxatives or enemas can cause phosphate poisoning. Hypocalcemia and other symptoms associated with low plasma calcium levels can also occur. Moderate phosphate poisoning over several months can lead to the formation of calcium phosphate crystals in numerous bodily tissues.

Zinc toxicity:

It’s been known to happen to metalworkers exposed to zinc fumes. People who ate acidic foods or drinks that had been stored in galvanized zinc containers had zinc toxicity, which caused nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Because zinc hinders copper absorption, zinc toxicity can lead to copper insufficiency.

Copper toxicity:

Wilson’s disease and Menkes disease are two hereditary illnesses that cause severe changes in copper metabolism. Mutations in copper transport proteins, i.e., in specific channels that allow copper ions to flow across cell membranes, occur. Copper builds up in the liver, kidneys, and brain, causing liver and nervous system damage. Menkes disease is characterized by decreased copper transport from the digestive system, resulting in low copper levels in the blood and copper accumulation in the kidney, pancreas and skeletal muscle. Menkes disease is characterized by kinky hair, convulsions, developmental delays, and progressive brain degeneration in children.

Selenium toxicity:

This is found in a few places around the world, most notably in portions of China where the mineral is abundant in the soil. Nausea, weakness, and diarrhoea are early indicators of selenium poisoning. As a result of the increased creation of dimethyl selenide in the body and its discharge through the lungs, the person’s breath may develop a distinctive garlic odour.

Manganese toxicity:

 It is especially common in manganese mine employees who are forced to breathe air with high levels of manganese dust after a few months or years of exposure.  Manganese poisoning has been observed in miners in Chile, India, Japan, Mexico and other countries. A mental disease mimicking schizophrenia, as well as hyperirritability, violent behaviours, hallucinations, and difficulties walking, are among the symptoms.

Toxicity levels for any element varied from plant to plant. Excess of one element can often prevent the uptake of another element. The formation of brown spots surrounded by chlorotic veins, for example, is a common indication of manganese toxicity. Manganese competes for absorption with iron and magnesium, for enzyme binding. Manganese also prevents calcium from being transported to the apex of the shoot which causes manganese overload. 

Manganese deficiency can lead to iron, magnesium, and calcium deficits. Thus, manganese toxicity symptoms can actually be iron, magnesium, or calcium deficiency symptoms.