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Interactions Between Different Elements – The Need for Mineral Balance?

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Drinking Water Minerals and Mineral Balance

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Abstract

Minerals are important for the human body. Mineral ratios are also important since minerals can operate both antagonistically and synergistically with each other. Water with a high concentration of calcium, hard water, reduces the corrosion of copper and lead from pipes. Calcium and magnesium are synergists in the body and cooperate at moderate levels, but an elevated calcium: magnesium ratio in especially mineral-poor water is a threat against heart health. Zink, iron, copper, and molybdenum are examples of elements that are antagonists, and one element can depress the other, while at moderate concentrations e.g. copper is needed for iron utilisation. Mg in drinking water decreases the risk of rectal cancer from THMs. When the ratio between nutrient mineral elements and toxic was high, women were healthier.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Technology, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 76, 10044, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ingegerd Rosborg Ph.D.

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  1. Ingegerd Rosborg Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Ingegerd Rosborg Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Technology, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ingegerd Rosborg

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Rosborg, I. (2015). Interactions Between Different Elements – The Need for Mineral Balance?. In: Rosborg, I. (eds) Drinking Water Minerals and Mineral Balance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09593-6_8

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