Man is a unique creature. Over the long millennia of our existence, we have been constantly changing. But modern scientists have not been able to fully study our body. However, something still managed to find out. So, scientists were able to determine the chemical composition of man, to know the structure of organs, systems, to determine the inherent needs.
What are we made of?
From a chemical point of view, almost the entire table of Mendeleev’s chemical elements is concentrated in our body. All these substances come from food, air, and they themselves are not produced in the body. If the chemical composition of a person is disrupted, then malfunctioning of various organs and systems occurs: teeth and hair do not grow, brittle bones increase, metabolism is disturbed, various diseases begin to prevail.
Substance groups
Elements of the chemical composition of man are divided into two large groups of minerals, namely: trace elements, macrocells. The latter include potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, chlorine and sulfur, as well as other substances.
The need for trace elements is limited in small quantities. These substances include iron, iodine, zinc, copper, fluorine, cobalt, manganese.
Each substance that is part of the chemical composition of a person has its own function and purpose, and must be supplied in a certain amount to the body with food. With a lack of elements, a variety of malfunctions occur in the normal functioning of the body.
Potassium
To maintain the water-salt balance, the human body needs potassium. He is also responsible for the nutrition of cells, strengthening immunity, and affects the functioning of the muscular, cardiac and nervous systems. To replenish the chemical composition of the human body with potassium, it is necessary to include foods rich in this substance in the diet, namely: bananas, avocados, beans, peas, potatoes, parsley, raisins.
Iodine
Iodine has a tonic effect on the muscles, ensures the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, takes part in metabolism, helps strengthen immunity, and also positively affects the nervous system. This trace element is found in large quantities in algae, seaweed, seafood, meat and cottage cheese, beets, apples, grapes and plums.
Calcium
Calcium, which is part of the chemical composition of the human body, is responsible for the development of teeth, strengthens bone tissue, ensures the normal functioning of the heart muscle, and is involved in blood coagulation. Calcium is found in large quantities in salmon, green vegetables, white bread, dairy products, and sardines.
Magnesium
Magnesium, which is part of the chemical composition of human body cells, has an effect on muscle, nerve, and energy functions. This element is necessary for the normal development of the bone structure. With a lack of magnesium, chronic fatigue occurs.
Magnesium is found in bananas, bran, brown rice, seeds, nuts, peas.
Phosphorus
The normal absorption of fats, carbohydrates, protein, occurs with the participation of phosphorus. This substance is necessary for the normal development of bones. If the chemical composition of a human cell is disturbed and phosphorus is not supplied in sufficient quantities, then weakness, bone pain, irritability, and anxiety will develop. Phosphorus is found in large quantities in milk, meat, fish, and potatoes.
Iron
When analyzing the chemical composition of human blood, scientists revealed that iron is present in it. It participates in blood formation, provides cells with oxygen. With iron deficiency, fatigue, iron deficiency anemia develops.
To replenish iron in the body, it is necessary to include in the diet liver, bran, prunes, wholemeal bread, pomegranates, chocolate.
Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in the development of the reproductive system, affects the functioning of the digestive system, and also takes part in the implementation of hormonal functions, and promotes the healing of wounds. Most zinc is found in mushrooms, nuts, oysters and seeds.
Selenium
In small quantities, our body needs selenium. This element protects cells from destruction, prevents early aging, slows down the development of cancer cells. Selenium is found in large quantities in coconuts, seafood, seeds.
Human body composition
Scientists were able to accurately determine what a person consists of. The chemical composition of our body, according to the analysis of the biologist J. Henson, includes 375 million hydrogen atoms, 132 million oxygen atoms and 85 million carbon atoms, three molybdenum molecules and one cobalt atom. We have such a set at the time of birth. During life, the ratio of chemicals changes, their amount increases, new elements appear, such as metals, gold.
The scientist made unusual calculations. As a result of the analysis, Henson was able to find out that the human body contains so much oxygen that it will be enough to fill a volume equal to six elephants, carbon - 16 kilograms. There is so much hydrogen that you can fill a tank equivalent to the volume of a whale, and nitrogen - 400 liters.
The human body can become a source of income. According to the scientist, if an average person preserves his nails throughout his life, he will be able to extract gold from them, worth about a tenth of a cent of the USA.
In addition to gold, the body contains more than 60 elements. If you select them in pure form and sell them on the market, you can earn about a couple of thousand dollars.
Other substances
The human body contains a lot of oxygen. We get it not only from air, but also from water. This is the most important component of the body, without which life is impossible.
In second place in terms of carbon. In the human body it contains a huge amount. Its only in oil and coal.
About 10% of our body is hydrogen. It enters the body with water, air. Three percent of the composition is nitrogen.
The main part of amino acids, coenzymes is sulfur. This substance with an unpleasant appearance and smell is contained in the human body in sufficiently large quantities. In addition to sulfur, we still consist of another poison - chlorine, and more precisely, chloride. This element is contained in blood plasma.
Interesting Facts
With a lack of any substance, the human body ceases to function normally. So, even a hundredth of iron deficiency can lead to the development of anemia. Normally, this element in men contains more than in women. This is connected not only with nutrition, but also with the physiology of the body: during menstruation, women lose a significant proportion of iron.
Scientists are still not completely convinced that fluoride is necessary for the human body. This element is found in large quantities in the teeth, bones. But fluorine, like selenium, is very toxic in case of an overdose.