Mineral Nutrition History

Seven minerals have been known since antiquity, some going back since 6000 B.C. Many years passed before the concept of essential nutrients developed. It was more of a trial and error method that various peoples gradually learned that certain diseases were associated in some way with diet and that specific foods were helpful in their treatments. It was not until the last half of the 19th century there was a realization that food was made up of classes of nutrients, which included an ill-defined supply of inorganic salts.



Mineral Nutrition, The Early Years, contains 16 chapters of historical information related to deficiency and toxicity of mineral elements. The first chapter is an introduction dealing with historical considerations, classification, distribution, developing the science of nutrition, general mineral functions, methods of analyses, requirements, bioavailability, status detection and incidence of mineral deficiencies and toxicities. Chapters 2 through 13 emphasize historical discovery and development of 14 elements but also includes information on chemical properties, functions, sources and deficiencies and toxicities in humans and animals. Chapters 14 and 15 deal with history of the minerals more commonly associated with a toxicity (fluorine, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, aluminum and molybdenum). Chapter 16 is history of the "newer trace elements."



Each chapter is followed by appropriate references. The chapters are illustrated with over 150 photos of mineral deficiencies and toxicities. Many of these photos are considered the classical descriptions of mineral deficiencies and toxicities for humans and animals.



It is hoped that this book will be useful for teaching the importance of minerals and how discoveries were made. This publication can serve as an authoritative reference book for use by research and extension specialists, in the human, animal, poultry, and veterinary sciences fields and for feed manufacturers, teachers, students, and others.



This book emphasizing history is a second publication on history of nutrients. The first book was published by the present author in 2013 and is titled Vitamin History, The Early Years.





Author Bio: The author of the book, Dr. Lee McDowell is a nutritional professor at the University of Florida. In nutrition research he has published over 1500 scientific articles and has written 7 books. Five different nutrition courses have been taught, with a graduate vitamin nutrition course offered over 25 years. During this time period he wrote two editions of a vitamins textbook for his graduate class and for courses at other universities. Dr McDowell is a "Fellow" of two International Societies and has won many awards in teaching and research. From one society he won the highest award available for research (Morrison Award). Internationally Dr. McDowell is well known having made 271 different country visits since 1971. He has given over 500 major talks in 42 different countries.



Keywords: Minerals, Elements, Nutrition History, Essential Minerals, Mineral Deficiencies