2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Cobalt (Co) is an important trace element that is mainly associated with hematopoiesis in the body. The processes of formation of hemoglobin and erythrocytes are activated thanks to the trace element cobalt. However, cobalt cannot perform this function if there is not enough copper in the body. If the body does not have enough copper and iron, cobalt can not activate the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Like copper, cobalt promotes the good maturation of reticulocytes to erythrocytes.
The quantity cobalt in the human body is only 1-2 mg. Most of it is found in the pancreas, it is also found in the kidneys and muscles. The daily dose of cobalt needed by an adult is about 0.1-0.2 mg.
Cobalt is a component of vitamin B12. Cobalt is of great and important importance as a starting material in the endogenous synthesis of vitamin B12, known as cyanocobalamin. Vitamin B12 is provided to the body by food, as well as its synthesis in the intestine by the microbial flora in the presence of cobalt in food.
Cobalt is a chemical element. Its atomic number is the 27th in a row in the Mendeleev table. Cobalt is a hard and shiny gray-blue metal. The name of the chemical element Cobalt comes from the German word "Kobold", which translates as "spirit" or "dwarf". The ore, which contains cobalt minerals, was named by the miners after the Cobold spirit. The ancient Norwegians, who were engaged in mining, attributed the poisoning in the casting of silver to this evil spirit, who made bad jokes with them.
The name of the evil spirit is supposed to have the same root as the Greek "kobalos", which translates as "smoke". The beliefs of German miners come from the fact that when heating arsenic-containing cobalt minerals, a poisonous gas - arsenic oxide - is released. In 1735, the Swedish mineralogist Georg Brand, after long attempts, managed to separate from the ore a hitherto unknown metal, which he named cobalt. The mineralogist discovered that it was the cobalt compounds that colored the glass blue.
Cobalt is considered a relatively rare metal, which is mostly contained in nickel ores. Cobalt is mined after the ore is first enriched, resulting in a concentrate. It is treated with sulfuric acid or ammonia to extract the metal cobalt. Cobalt is mainly used to make alloys, as it increases the temperature resistance of steel. In addition, cobalt is treated as a pigment in the production of some paints.
Benefits of cobalt
There are many benefits from cobalt for the human body. It affects the function of the insular apparatus of the pancreas in the formation of insulin. Cobalt affects bone and intestinal phosphatase and metabolism in general. One of the beneficial effects of cobalt is also to prevent and delay the development of anemia. With a deficiency of cobalt in the human body there is a risk of developing anemic conditions. Cobalt is contained in small concentrations in food, but with proper and balanced nutrition, human needs are fully met.
Cobalt affects hematopoiesis, participates in metabolism and stimulates the formation of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the blood. It is involved in the synthesis of DNA and amino acids, maintains immunity and the nervous system. Its action is very important for the functioning of cells, as well as for the development of erythrocytes.
Cobalt suppresses the development of cancer, it is important for athletes who undergo daily and prolonged exercise.
Foods with cobalt
One of the main enemies of cobalt is nicotine, alcohol, and vegetarianism, which can cause a deficiency of the element. Such a deficit is quite rare, but there is a real danger of it. Cobalt is obtained from fish, seafood, oysters, mussels, meat, kidneys, liver, eggs and other animal products.
Cobalt deficiency
As it turned out, the most at risk of cobalt deficiency are vegetarians, smokers and regular drinkers. Cobalt deficiency can lead to anemia, circulatory and endocrine problems. Chronic diseases of the digestive system can also be causes of cobalt deficiency. The most common are gastritis and ulcers.
In the absence of cobalt the following symptoms are observed: headache, anemia, irritability and various manifestations associated with a disorder of the central nervous system.
Cobalt overdose
When the amount of this element is greater than necessary, severe cardiomyopathy with pronounced heart failure can occur.
