The Influence of Specific Mineral Deficiencies on the Growth of Body and Organs of the Rat

Abstract

With the intake of food calories limited to approximately one-half the usual consumption, calcium and phosphorus are the most effective mineral supplements used in this study from the point of view of increase in body weight, maintenance of size of thymus, and general nutritive well-being. Although sodium and potassium, given separately or together, fail to promote growth in the absence of the remainder of the elements of the Osborne and Mendel salt mixture, their presence is required to support the maximum development possible on the given energy and protein allowance. In the groups consuming rations without calcium but with sodium and/or potassium, the ratios of both heart weight and liver weight to body weight were elevated.