i bo liao go type elements of bones i found several interesting facts (PLS READ BOLD PART unless u have the time =.=.) :
Aluminum (Al)
Until recently, aluminum was thought to be useless to life processes. It is now thought to be involved in the action of a small number of enzymes. For a technical explanation: "it may be involved in the action of enzymes such a succinic dehydrogenase and d-aminolevulinate dehydrase (involved in porphyrin synthesis)
Even if this element is necessary for some life function, the amount necessary is greatly exceeded by our incidental intake through our drinking water, food, deodorants and some antacids. Aluminum is relatively benign, and it is used in food additives and indigestion pills. It has been linked to Alzheimer's disease and the body has a hard time ridding itself of excess aluminum. Aluminum is somewhat more toxic to plants.
Arsenic (As)
Despite Arsenic’s reputation as a highly toxic substance, this element may actually be necessary for good health. Studies of animals such as chickens, rats, goats and pigs show that it is necessary for proper growth, development and reproduction. In these studies, the main symptom of not getting enough arsenic was retarded growth and development. It is suspected, but not known, that arsenic is necessary . It is thought to be necessary for the functioning of the nervous system and for people to grow properly. Since arsenic is present in our food and water, all humans have some arsenic in their bodies and a deficiency of this element in humans has apparently never been observed. An arsenic trioxide has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat a rare and deadly form of leukemia called acute promyelocytic leukemia, or APL
Boron (B) - a micronutrient
Though it is commonly known that calcium builds strong bones, boron is also important. Bones are not just the dead, white, stone-like things we see on skeletons. In our bodies bones are constantly breaking down and being rebuilt. They also have a constant blood supply and are very much "alive". Without small amounts of boron, bones would slowly break down and become brittle.
This element is also necessary to allow the brain to function properly. In fact, boron can increase mental alertness. According to a series of studies recently conducted by the US Department of Agriculture, low boron intakes by humans caused decreased brain activity. The studies showed that people on low boron diets also had lower brain performance on attention and short-term memory tests. (low boron diet? eh how to have high boron diet? =.=.)
Chlorine (Cl)
This element, however, is actually essential for humans to live - we would die without it. Chlorine is found throughout the body; in the blood, in the fluid inside cells and in the fluid between cells.
Along with sodium and potassium, chlorine carries an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids. This is why these elements are termed "electrolytes". The electrical charge that these elements carry is what allows nerve cells to work. Chlorine also works with potassium and sodium to regulate the amount of fluids in the body and to regulate pH in the body. This vital element also helps muscles flex and relax normally.
Stomach acid is a compound of hydrogen and chlorine (hydrochloric acid, or HCl). Logically, chlorine is extremely important in allowing us to digest our food properly and to absorb the many other elements that we need to survive. Excessive vomiting can lead to a serious loss of chlorine in the body. This can lead to a dangerous imbalance of pH in the body, which can cause muscle weakness, loss of appetite, dehydration and coma.
Chronium (Cr)
It is a vital component of a molecule that works with insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels. In other words, it helps our bodies absorb energy from the food we eat and stabilizes the level of energy that we feel throughout the day. Our bodies need sufficient quantities of chromium to make many of the large biological molecules that help us live. This vital element can also help increase muscle mass while reducing fat mass in our bodies. It helps cells, such as heart muscle cells absorb the energy they need to work properly. Foods that are high in chromium include whole grain breads, brown rice, cheese and lean meats. Chromium is also in many (but not all) multi-vitamins and supplements, but the body absorbs chromium much better from food.
Cobalt (Co)
Cobalt is another element that is necessary for good human health. While cobalt has no specific function by itself, it forms the core of vitamin B-12. Without cobalt, Vitamin B-12 could not exist.
Copper (Cu)
To begin with, copper is a major component of the oxygen carrying part of blood cells. Copper also helps protect our cells from being damaged by certain chemicals in our bodies. Copper, along with vitamin C, is important for keeping blood vessels and skin elastic and flexible. This important element is also required by the brain to form chemicals that keep us awake and alert. Copper also helps your body produce chemicals that regulate blood pressure, pulse, and healing.
General symptoms of not getting enough copper in your diet include anemia (a condition in which your blood can’t supply enough oxygen to your body), arthritis (painful swelling of the joints), and many other medical problems.Copper can be found in dried beans, almonds, broccoli, garlic, soybeans, peas, whole-wheat products, and seafood.
Fluorine (F)
Fluorine is an element that the body uses to strengthen bones and teeth. This element differs from the other elements that the body needs because we get most of it from the water that we drink, not from the food that we eat. The form of fluorine that normally exists in nature, fluoride, is actually added to most drinking water supplies. In areas where fluoride is added to the drinking water, children get up to 70% fewer dental cavities than in areas where the drinking water is low in fluoride. As you may have noticed, it is also added to most brands of toothpaste for its ability to fight cavities.
Fluoride, along with large quantities of calcium, is a large part of what makes your bones strong. When the body does not receive enough fluoride, bones start to loose calcium, and then become weak and brittle. Fortunately, it is easy for us to get enough fluorine because of the fact that it is added to our drinking water. Other good sources of this key element include seafood, teas and toothpaste. (eat toothpaste? )Germanium (Ge)
Germanium is a trace element that some believe is highly beneficial to good human health. In fact, germanium has many important medicinal properties. In the body, germanium attaches itself to oxygen molecules. This has the unexpected effect of making our bodies more effective at getting oxygen to the tissues in our body. (WOOOOOW). The increased supply of oxygen in our bodies helps to improve our immune system. It also helps the body excrete harmful toxins.
Taking germanium supplements is effective in treating arthritis, food allergies, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and even cancer. Germanium can also be used to control pain in the human body.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about germanium is that it can stimulate the human immune system to fight cancer cells. Testing of new cancer treatments with germanium are underway, and perhaps we will soon see new, less damaging, cancer treatments using the element germanium.there's so much more to learn from chemistry. LOL. [took a long time to highlight them -.-]
