| Abstract: |
Overviews zinc, sodium, potassium, and carbonate as possible minerals in trace element research that may provide information that paleopathologists to use to answer question concerning nutritional status and it subsequent effect on human health. \uZinc\u The best sources for Zn are shellfish, meats, fish, wholegrains, legumes and nuts Marginal deficiencies in zinc can result from certain disease processes including gastrointestinal disorders, burns, sickle cell anemia, renal disease and alcoholism Severe zinc deficiency can result in delayed maturation and retarded growth- sometimes to the point of dwarfism \uSodium and Potassium\u An herbivore diet can, as a rule, be characterized as high K, low Na. Since meat, blood and viscera contain higher levels of Na than plants, the Na/K in a carnivorous diet is higher. Herbivores exhibit strong Na-seeking behavior but find its retention difficult because Na excretion is necessary for K excretion. So if Eaton and Konner (1985) and H-G potassium intake was roughly 3-5 times greater than today, then H-Gs may also have experienced a strong salt drive and/or avoided high K foods.
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