Anti-nutrient factors affecting mineral utilization

Abstract

A list of mineral elements known to be essential to animals and dietary components which under the appropriate conditions modify either their utilization or apparent requirements is shown in Table I. Clearly, detailed discussion of all of these cannot be included in this review and thus a few examples will be briefly discussed to illustrate the many types of interactions that can occur. These can be broadly classified into three categories. First, there are situations when the presence of one element in excessive concentration can modify the utilization of another essential element, usually but not exclusively at sites of absorption. Second, there are factors which, while exerting no effect on the absorption of an essential element, may affect its subsequent utilization. The best examples of this type of interaction are the goitrogens which affect the metabolism of iodine. The third class of substances which can impair mineral utilization are organic factors which can bind essential minerals to form insoluble or indigestible complexes in the lumen of the intestinal tract and prevent their absorption. Mineral-mineral interactions As shown in Table I the number of interactions between minerals, that have been demonstrated in laboratory animals or encountered under practical conditions in agriculture, is very large and only a few will be mentioned here. Readers particularly interested in this topic are referred to two recent reviews (Davies, 1974; Mills, 1974). Table I. A summary of diejary components which under the appropriate conditions m d a B mineral utilization or apparent requirements