World’s Soil Resources

Vast numbers of people, primarily women, infants and children, are afflicted with trace element deficiencies
(notably Fe, I, Se, and Zn), mostly in the resource-poor countries of the developing world. A diet with low
boron (B) has been found to lead to a number of general health problems and to increase cancer risk. The
most common symptoms of B deficiency include arthritis, memory loss, osteoporosis, degenerative and
soft cartilage diseases, hormonal disequilibria and a drop in libido (Scorei and Popa, 2010). According to one
hypothesis, the low cervical cancer incidence in Turkey correlates with its B-enriched soil (Simsek et al., 2003).
Indeed, the ingestion of B via drinking water prevents cervical cancer risk (Korkmaz et al., 2007). In a survey
in northern France, exposure to high levels of boron (>0.3 mg L -1 ) in the drinking water was associated with
a significantly lower mortality rate as compared to that of a low-boron reference area (Yazbeck et al., 2005).
Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Dietary silicon intake is positively
associated with bone mineral density in men and premenopausal women of the Framingham Offspring cohort
(Jugdaohsingh et al., 2004). Silicon is bound to glycosaminoglycans and has an important role in the formation
of cross-links between collagen and proteoglycans (Carlisle, 1976). In vitro studies have demonstrated that
silicon stimulates type 1 collagen synthesis and osteoblast differentiation (Reffitt et al., 2003).
Many physicians have believed that zinc deficiency is a rare occurrence in Japan. Nevertheless, One study
found many zinc-deficient patients at a clinic in Japan since 2002 (Kurasawa, Kubori and Okuizumi, 2010).
Their complaints were anorexia, general fatigue, impaired sense of taste, burning mouth, various types of skin
lesion, delayed wound healing and emotional instability.
Based on dietary intake recommendations, subclinical or marginal Mg deficiency (50 percent to