What are trace minerals

Trace minerals are metal elements that are essential to optimize animal health, wellbeing, and performance. Unfortunately, raw materials within the feed often do not contain enough to fulfil the animal’s nutritional requirement. Therefore, there are different minerals that are commonly supplemented in animal feed, such as copper, zinc, magnesium, ion, selenium etc.  

Why are Trace Minerals important?  

Trace minerals support biological functions that are required for proper immune function, reproduction, and growth.  

Trace minerals support 4 vital functions: 

• Structural:  Minerals involved in structural components such as bone and hoofs, as well as in enzymes or membranes. 
• Physiological:  Minerals in body fluids and tissues concerned with for example acid balance and membrane permeability.
• Regulatory: Minerals regulate cell replication and differentiation 
• Catalytic: Minerals can act as catalysts in enzymes and endocrine systems 

The balance of minerals  

Trace minerals are essential but adding the right amount is essential as Trace minerals can be both beneficial as well as harmful. The animal quickly responds to insufficient minerals. For example, Insufficient dietary supply of Zn leads to reduction in performance. Within 1-24 hours you will see mobilisation of internal Zn stores (skeletal tissue). Within 3-5d the adsorptive and excretive mechanisms adapt.

The animal quickly responds to sufficient/excessive minerals as well. You will see a reduced metal absorption efficiency as well as elimination of excessive metal by secretion into the GI-tract.

It is all about finding the optimal balance to optimize the health and performance of animals.