Guide: Minerals and
Protein Formation

Chapter 1: How Protein Synthesis Works

Proteins are among the most versatile molecules in the human body. Building them from individual amino acids — protein synthesis — is a multi-step biological process that takes place in practically every living cell. The following sections explain the main steps.

1.1 From Genetic Code to Protein Molecule

All the blueprints for an organism's proteins are stored in its DNA. The sequence of nucleotide bases — adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine — encodes genes, each of which stands for a particular protein or protein subunit. The path from gene to functional protein involves several stages:

1. Transcription: In the cell nucleus, RNA polymerase reads the relevant section of DNA. This produces a complementary messenger RNA (mRNA) that carries the genetic code.
2. mRNA processing: In eukaryotes, the primary mRNA is processed further — non-coding sections (introns) are removed, and a protective cap is added at the 5’ end and a poly-A tail at the 3’ end.
3. Transport: The finished mRNA leaves the nucleus through the nuclear pores and reaches the cytoplasm.
4. Translation: At the ribosomes, the mRNA is read in groups of three (codons). For each codon, a matching tRNA (transfer RNA) delivers the corresponding amino acid.
5. Protein folding: The growing amino acid chain folds — partly with the help of chaperones — into a three-dimensional, functional protein.

1.2 Minerals as Cofactors

Many of the enzymes and structures involved in protein synthesis rely on minerals as cofactors. Without these cofactors, enzymes cannot carry out their catalytic activity, and structural units such as ribosomes lose stability. For two minerals — zinc and magnesium — the EU has authorized a separate health claim relating to normal protein synthesis.

Chapter 2: Zinc and Its Contribution to Protein Synthesis

2.1 Biochemical mechanisms of action

Zinc is a divalent cation (Zn²⁺) that is neither oxidized nor reduced in biological systems. This property gives it particular stability as a cofactor. In protein synthesis, the following mechanisms can be described:

• Zinc finger proteins: This large family of transcription factors contains zinc ions coordinated by cysteine and histidine residues. The resulting finger-like structure binds to specific DNA sequences and thereby modulates gene expression — the first step of protein synthesis.
• Ribosomal integrity: Zinc ions contribute to the structural stability of ribosomal proteins. Studies in model organisms show that zinc deficiency can impair ribosome assembly.
• Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases: Certain members of this enzyme family, which are responsible for correctly loading tRNA with amino acids, contain zinc in their catalytic center.

2.2 Reference Values and Food Sources

Under EU Regulation 1169/2011, the reference value for daily zinc intake is 10 mg. The table below shows selected foods and their approximate zinc content:

2.3 Bioavailability Factors

Zinc absorption in the small intestine is influenced by several factors. Phytic acid, found in grains and legumes, can bind zinc and reduce its uptake. Methods such as fermenting, sprouting, and soaking lower the phytic acid content and can thereby increase the bioavailability of zinc.

Eating animal protein at the same time can aid zinc absorption, since amino acids such as histidine and cysteine act as zinc ligands and can ease transport across the intestinal wall.

Chapter 3: Magnesium and Its Contribution to Protein Synthesis

3.1 Biochemical Mechanisms of Action

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is involved in more than 600 enzymatic reactions, making it one of the minerals most frequently needed as a cofactor. In protein synthesis, magnesium performs the following tasks:

• Holding ribosomes together: The large and small ribosomal subunits are held together by magnesium ions. Without enough magnesium, the subunits separate and translation cannot proceed correctly.
• Providing ATP: Forming peptide bonds requires energy. ATP, the cell's main energy currency, exists physiologically mainly as an Mg-ATP complex. Magnesium stabilizes the phosphate groups and allows energy to be transferred to the growing peptide chain.
• Activating tRNA loading: Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases need magnesium, because amino acids are activated via an Mg-ATP-dependent mechanism.
• Stabilizing mRNA structure: Secondary structures of mRNA, which are needed for the ribosome to read it correctly, are stabilized by magnesium ions.

3.2 Reference Values and Food Sources

The EU daily reference value for magnesium is 375 mg. The table below lists selected natural sources:

3.3 Absorption and Distribution in the Body

Magnesium is absorbed mainly in the small intestine. The absorption rate ranges from 30 % to 50 %, depending on the amount consumed. With low intake, relative absorption rises; with high intake, it falls — a homeostatic control mechanism.

In the body, magnesium is found mainly in bone (around 60 %), muscle (around 25 %), and soft tissue (about 14 %). Only about 1 % is in blood serum, which is why serum magnesium levels alone are not a reliable indicator of the body's overall status.

Chapter 4: How the Two Minerals Interact

Although zinc and magnesium each have their own functions in protein synthesis, their areas of action overlap at several points within the same overall process:

It is important to consider the authorized health claims separately. Each claim refers to the respective mineral as a single substance:

4.1 Practical Nutrition Aspects

A varied diet can provide adequate amounts of both minerals. Foods such as pumpkin seeds, nuts, and legumes provide significant amounts of both zinc and magnesium. If you eat a mainly plant-based diet, pay attention to bioavailability: soaking and sprouting legumes and grains can lower their phytic acid content and thus aid the absorption of both minerals.

When using dietary supplements, make sure not to exceed the recommended daily intake. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet.

Chapter 5: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell whether my intake is adequate?

Mineral status is determined through blood tests, which can be ordered by a doctor. For zinc, the serum zinc level is usually measured; for magnesium, the serum magnesium level — although, as described in Chapter 3, the latter has only limited significance.

Can zinc and magnesium be taken at the same time?

There is scientific evidence that very high doses of one of the two minerals can affect absorption of the other. At amounts in line with the usual reference values, taking them together is generally not a problem. If you are unsure, it is a good idea to consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Who do the authorized EU claims apply to?

The health claims under Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 are aimed at the general adult population. Different recommendations may apply to pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and people with certain medical conditions. Individual advice from a healthcare professional is recommended in these cases.

What does the word “normal” mean in the wording of the claim?

The word “normal” in the EFSA claims describes proper physiological function when the body has an adequate supply of the mineral in question. It describes neither a therapeutic effect nor a performance increase beyond the usual level.