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A New Perspective: The Effect of Trace Elements on Human Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 June 2025 | Viewed by 1551

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China
Interests: trace elements; selenium; articular cartilage; bone; micronutrients; human health; chronic diseases; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: trace elements; selenium; articular cartilage; bone; micronutrients; human health; chronic diseases; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Trace elements are crucial for human health, playing significant roles in various biochemical processes and maintaining physiological functions. Key trace elements, such as zinc, selenium, copper, and iron, are involved in enzyme activity, immune response, and antioxidant defense. Deficiencies in these elements can lead to serious health issues, including impaired immune function, anemia, and the increased risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Furthermore, the balance and bioavailability of trace elements are influenced by dietary patterns, health status, and environmental factors. It is essential to promote the proper intake of these micronutrients through balanced diets or supplementation, particularly in vulnerable populations. Continued research is needed to better understand the complex interactions of trace elements in human health and to develop effective public health strategies for nutrient optimization.

Prof. Dr. Jing Han
Dr. Fangfang Yu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • trace elements
  • dietary nutrition
  • micronutrients
  • human health
  • chronic diseases
  • public health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 5424 KiB  
Article
Distinct Clusters of Testosterone Levels, Symptoms, and Serum Trace Elements in Young Men: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
by Takazo Tanaka, Kosuke Kojo, Takahiro Suetomi, Yoshiyuki Nagumo, Haruhiko Midorikawa, Takaaki Matsuda, Ayumi Nakazono, Takuya Shimizu, Shunsuke Fujimoto, Atsushi Ikeda, Shuya Kandori, Hiromitsu Negoro, Tatsuya Takayama and Hiroyuki Nishiyama
Nutrients 2025, 17(5), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050867 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1111
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Modern societal stressors have been linked to declining testosterone levels among young men, contributing to somatic, psychological, and sexual health problems. Despite growing evidence suggesting a link between trace elements and testosterone-related symptoms, there are only a few comprehensive analyses on [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Modern societal stressors have been linked to declining testosterone levels among young men, contributing to somatic, psychological, and sexual health problems. Despite growing evidence suggesting a link between trace elements and testosterone-related symptoms, there are only a few comprehensive analyses on younger populations. This study’s aim was to examine how serum trace elements modulate the relationship between testosterone levels and symptom severity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 225 young men seeking infertility consultation in Japan. Serum total and free testosterone levels were measured, along with self-reported symptoms using the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale (somatic, psychological, sexual) and the Erection Hardness Score. The serum concentrations of 20 trace elements were measured. We used unsupervised clustering to classify participants based on testosterone levels and symptom severity and then compared the distribution of trace elements among the resulting clusters. Results: Three distinct clusters emerged: (1) lowest testosterone with highest symptom severity, (2) intermediate, and (3) highest testosterone with minimal symptoms. Interestingly, the intermediate cluster displayed low testosterone levels but minimal symptoms. Eleven trace elements (phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, arsenic, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, and cesium) were identified as potential contributors to testosterone dynamics. Weighted quantile sum regression indicated that phosphorus, strontium, and molybdenum negatively influenced testosterone outcomes, whereas iron, sulfur, and zinc were beneficial. Conclusions: Serum trace element profiles are significantly associated with testosterone levels and symptom severity in young men. Targeted interventions may address testosterone decline and its implications. These findings may help develop tailored strategies for optimizing male health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A New Perspective: The Effect of Trace Elements on Human Health)
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