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Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 32092

Special Issue Editors

Dr. James H. Swain

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, SOM WG-48, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: the role of dietary iron and iron status on intestinal tumorigenesis; using immunohistochemistry; proteomics and gene expression analysis; iron bioavailability and food fortification using different forms of dietary iron
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Salvatore Minisola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical, Internal, Anaesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: osteoporosis; bone research; bone biology; bone
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue entitled “Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease” will focus on studies describing the role of mineral nutrition and status in the maintenance of human health and in the etiology, management, and prevention of common chronic diseases impacting large proportions of the population. Diseases of particular interest include anemia, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular, and hypertension. Studies may include any aspect of the role of mineral nutrients that are essential to humans and the interplay between mineral nutrition and disease. Study models may include animal, human, or other pertinent approaches and may also include in vivo and in vitro approaches aimed at better understanding how changes in mineral bioavailability, metabolism, or physicochemical properties influence disease. The aim of this Special Issue is to present novel findings in the field of mineral nutrition, focusing on optimizing human health and understanding the role of minerals in human disease.

This Special Issue of Nutrients entitled “Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease” welcomes original research and reviews of the literature concerning this important topic.

Dr. James H. Swain
Prof. Dr. Salvatore Minisola
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health
  • disease
  • mineral
  • micronutrient
  • trace elements
  • iron
  • zinc
  • copper
  • selenium
  • anemia
  • cancer
  • diabetes
  • osteoporosis
  • cardiovascular
  • hypertension

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 1671 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Copper Nanoparticles on Liver Metabolism Depends on the Type of Dietary Fiber
by Aleksandra Marzec, Bartosz Fotschki, Dorota Napiórkowska, Joanna Fotschki, Ewelina Cholewińska, Piotr Listos, Jerzy Juśkiewicz and Katarzyna Ognik
Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3645; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213645 - 26 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1299
Abstract
Background/Objectives: A diet enriched with copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) exhibits a wide range of effects on liver metabolism, both positive and negative. Dietary fibers are the key components that may affect the absorption of minerals, including copper, and change their impact on organisms. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: A diet enriched with copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) exhibits a wide range of effects on liver metabolism, both positive and negative. Dietary fibers are the key components that may affect the absorption of minerals, including copper, and change their impact on organisms. Methods: Therefore, this study investigated whether and how supplementation with different sources of dietary fiber (cellulose, pectin, inulin, and psyllium) affects the function of CuNPs in the liver of male Wistar rats. Results: The results showed that CuNPs at different doses had varying effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation in the liver. Specifically, higher doses of CuNPs were associated with increased lipid accumulation and the activation of pro-inflammatory mechanisms. However, combining CuNPs with dietary fibers, such as psyllium and inulin, was beneficial in mitigating the effects of the examined nanoparticles, leading to reduced fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the liver. Combining psyllium with CuNPs showed the most substantial effect on liver metabolism and inflammation parameters. Furthermore, hepatic histology analyses showed that adding psyllium to the diet with CuNPs reduces changes associated with fat accumulation and mononuclear cell infiltration. The observed beneficial changes in the liver may have been related to a reduction in the gene expression level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and cyclooxygenase-2. Conclusions: In conclusion, enriching the diet with dietary fibers such as psyllium can regulate the action of CuNPs, thereby improving lipid metabolism and reducing inflammation in the liver. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease)
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10 pages, 414 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Effects of Escalating Doses of Cholecalciferol on FGF23 and 24,25(OH)2 Vitamin D Levels: A Preliminary Investigation
by Jessica Pepe, Luciano Colangelo, Roberta Pilotto, Viviana De Martino, Carla Ferrara, Alfredo Scillitani, Mirella Cilli, Salvatore Minisola, Ravinder Singh and Cristiana Cipriani
Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3600; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213600 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Background: There are few and controversial results on 24,25(OH)2D and FGF23 acute changes following supplementation with cholecalciferol. Methods: Twenty-seven subjects with 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL were randomized into three groups to receive a single oral dose of 25,000 I.U. or 600,000 [...] Read more.
Background: There are few and controversial results on 24,25(OH)2D and FGF23 acute changes following supplementation with cholecalciferol. Methods: Twenty-seven subjects with 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL were randomized into three groups to receive a single oral dose of 25,000 I.U. or 600,000 I.U. of cholecalciferol or placebo, respectively. We measured 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, 24,25(OH)2D, and FGF23 levels at baseline and after 72 h. The 1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D/24,25(OH)2D, and 24,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D ratios were also calculated. Results: There was an increase in 25(OH)D and 1,25 (OH)2D following both doses of cholecalciferol. In the group administered 600,000 I.U., there was a significant increase in the delta changes in 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D compared to the placebo and in the delta 24,25(OH)D2 compared to the placebo and 25,000 I.U. groups (all p < 0.05). A decrease in both the 1,25(OH)2D/25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D/24,25(OH)2D ratio (all p < 0.05) was observed in the 600,000 I.U. group. FGF23 values significantly increased only in the group administered 600,000 I.U. Conclusions: 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)D levels significantly increased following 600,000 IU cholecalciferol administration compared to 25,000 I.U. and placebo. Following the massive administration of cholecalciferol, the CYP24A1 enzyme is actively involved in catabolism, thus, avoiding toxic effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease)
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10 pages, 1467 KiB  
Article
The Temporal Change in Ionised Calcium, Parathyroid Hormone and Bone Metabolism Following Ingestion of a Plant-Sourced Marine Mineral + Protein Isolate in Healthy Young Adults
by Marta Kozior, Olusoji Aboyeji Demehin, Michelle Mary Ryan, Shane O’Connell and Philip Michael Jakeman
Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3110; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183110 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1486
Abstract
Background: An increase in plant-sourced (PS) nutrient intake is promoted in support of a sustainable diet. PS dietary minerals and proteins have bioactive properties that can affect bone health and the risk of fracture. Methods: In a group randomised, cross-over design, this study [...] Read more.
Background: An increase in plant-sourced (PS) nutrient intake is promoted in support of a sustainable diet. PS dietary minerals and proteins have bioactive properties that can affect bone health and the risk of fracture. Methods: In a group randomised, cross-over design, this study evaluated the post-ingestion temporal pattern of change in arterialised ionised calcium (iCa), parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) for 4 h following ingestion of a novel supplement (SUPP) containing a PS marine multi-mineral + PS protein isolate. A diurnally matched intake of mineral water was used as a control (CON). Results: Compared to baseline, the change in iCa concentration was 0.022 (95% CI, 0.006 to 0.038, p = 0.011) mmol/l greater in SUPP than CON, resulting in a −4.214 (95% CI, −8.244 to −0.183, p = 0.042) pg/mL mean reduction in PTH, a −0.64 (95% CI, −0.199 to −0.008, p = 0.029) ng/mL decrease in the biomarker of bone resorption, CTX, and no change in the biomarker of bone formation, P1NP. Conclusions: When used as a dietary supplement, or incorporated into a food matrix, the promotion of PS marine multi-mineral and PS protein isolates may contribute to a more sustainable diet and overall bone health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease)
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16 pages, 1643 KiB  
Article
Hemoglobin Regeneration Efficiency and Relative Iron Bioavailability of Four Elemental Iron Powders in Rats
by James H. Swain, Ryan C. Nemeth, Anshul R. Bethi, Caroline J. Jang and Eva L. Zheng
Nutrients 2024, 16(14), 2258; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142258 - 13 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1537
Abstract
Effective food fortification strategies using elemental iron powders (EIPs) are needed to combat iron deficiency anemia. The purpose of this study was to determine hemoglobin regeneration efficiency (HRE) and relative iron bioavailability (RBV) of four food-grade EIPs (El-Lyte (EL), Hi-Sol (HS), H-325 (H3), [...] Read more.
Effective food fortification strategies using elemental iron powders (EIPs) are needed to combat iron deficiency anemia. The purpose of this study was to determine hemoglobin regeneration efficiency (HRE) and relative iron bioavailability (RBV) of four food-grade EIPs (El-Lyte (EL), Hi-Sol (HS), H-325 (H3), and A-131 (A1)) by treating anemic rats with 14 d iron repletion diets (uncooked and cooked), fortified with a 12, 24, or 36 mg iron/kg diet of the EIPs, ferrous sulfate monohydrate (FS, FeSO4•H2O), or no added iron (control), n = 9–12/group. The ability of EL and HS to maintain hemoglobin for 6 weeks on the 6 mg iron/kg diet was also studied. The dissolution rate of iron from the EIPs was measured in hydrochloric acid at pH 1.0. Compared to FS, the EL, HS, and A1 EIPs had >50% overall RBV, with the following order: HS > A1 > EL > H3 (p ≤ 0.05); the effect of cooking was not significant (p > 0.05). Dissolution testing revealed that the mean RBV of the EIPs was positively associated with the percentage of iron solubility. In the 6-week maintenance study, EL and HS maintained hemoglobin as well as FS. Overall, the findings show that at the concentrations of iron tested, these EIPs are effective fortification agents to replenish hemoglobin and correct iron deficiency anemia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease)
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Review

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28 pages, 2730 KiB  
Review
Minerals and Human Health: From Deficiency to Toxicity
by Mohammed S. Razzaque and Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030454 - 26 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4680
Abstract
Minerals are essential nutrients that play critical roles in human health by regulating various physiological functions. Examples include bone development, enzyme function, nerve signaling, and the immune response. Both the deficiencies and toxicities of minerals can have significant health implications. Deficiencies in macrominerals [...] Read more.
Minerals are essential nutrients that play critical roles in human health by regulating various physiological functions. Examples include bone development, enzyme function, nerve signaling, and the immune response. Both the deficiencies and toxicities of minerals can have significant health implications. Deficiencies in macrominerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphate can lead to osteoporosis (associated with falls and fractures), cardiovascular events, and neuromuscular dysfunction. Trace mineral deficiencies, such as iron and zinc. Selenium deficiency impairs oxygen transport, immune function, and antioxidant defenses, contributing to anemia, delaying wound healing, and increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases. Conversely, excessive intake of minerals can have severe health consequences. Hypercalcemia can cause kidney stones and cardiac arrhythmias as well as soft-tissue calcification, whereas excessive iron deposition can lead to oxidative stress and organ/tissue damage. Maintaining adequate mineral levels through a balanced diet, guided supplementation, and monitoring at-risk populations is essential for good health and preventing disorders related to deficiencies and toxicities. Public health interventions and education about dietary sources of minerals are critical for minimizing health risks and ensuring optimal well-being across populations. While a comprehensive analysis of all macro and micronutrients is beyond the scope of this article, we have chosen to focus on calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. We summarize the consequences of deficiency and the adverse events associated with the overconsumption of other minerals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease)
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20 pages, 1167 KiB  
Review
The Role of Nutrition on Thyroid Function
by Anna-Mariia Shulhai, Roberta Rotondo, Maddalena Petraroli, Viviana Patianna, Barbara Predieri, Lorenzo Iughetti, Susanna Esposito and Maria Elisabeth Street
Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2496; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152496 - 31 Jul 2024
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 20935
Abstract
Thyroid function is closely linked to nutrition through the diet–gut–thyroid axis. This narrative review highlights the influence of nutritional components and micronutrients on thyroid development and function, as well as on the gut microbiota. Micronutrients such as iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, [...] Read more.
Thyroid function is closely linked to nutrition through the diet–gut–thyroid axis. This narrative review highlights the influence of nutritional components and micronutrients on thyroid development and function, as well as on the gut microbiota. Micronutrients such as iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 influence thyroid hormone synthesis and regulation throughout life. Dietary changes can alter the gut microbiota, leading not just to dysbiosis and micronutrient deficiency but also to changes in thyroid function through immunological regulation, nutrient absorption, and epigenetic changes. Nutritional imbalance can lead to thyroid dysfunction and/or disorders, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and possibly contribute to autoimmune thyroid diseases and thyroid cancer, yet controversial issues. Understanding these relationships is important to rationalize a balanced diet rich in essential micronutrients for maintaining thyroid health and preventing thyroid-related diseases. The synthetic comprehensive overview of current knowledge shows the importance of micronutrients and gut microbiota for thyroid function and uncovers potential gaps that require further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineral Nutrition on Human Health and Disease)
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