10.3 Major Minerals Flashcards
Describe how your body maintains calcium homeostasis
When levels drop, the parathryoid hormone is released, which increases calcium levels by stopping calcium excretion at the kidneys and activates vitamin D, which increases calcium absorption. It also activates osteoclasts
When levels are too high, calcitonin is released, which opposes the actions of parathryoid hormone
What are osteoclasts
Cells that secrete substances that helps wear away at the structure of bone
What is a benefit and detriment of osteaclasts
Calcium is entering the blood stream, but the bone is wearing down
When is peak bone mass reached?
Around 30
When is bone mass lost?
As you age and menopause for women
What is hydroxyapatite. What does it do?
Crystal the contains both calcium and phosphorous.
It actually mineralizes bones from they collagen matrix base.
What is an electrolyte. Why are they needed in our bodies?
An atom that when in water becomes positively or negatively charged
Their movement leads to the creation of electronic currents, which powers our bodies need for electrical activity (heartbeat, nerves)
What is hypertension? What does it lead to? What are some risk factors?
High blood pressure.
Increases risk of CVD mortality
Age, African heritage, family history, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, laziness, alcohol and tobacco use, diet
What is Calcium used for?
Most abundant mineral in body - 99% stored in bones and teeth
Key signalling mineral (nerve signalling, key intracellular messenger)
Required for muscle and heart contraction, gland secretion
What is Calcium used for?
Most abundant mineral in body - 99% stored in bones and teeth
Key signalling mineral (nerve signalling, key intracellular messenger)
Required for muscle and heart contraction, gland secretion
What are sources of Calcium?
Dairy products
What are the effects of Calcium deficiency?
Affects ability to reach peak bone mass
Increase risk for osteoporosis (along with low vit D, laziness, smoking, alcohol, gender, age, and family history)
What are the effects of Calcium toxicity?
Minor increases okay
Chronic elevated levels lead to abdominal/bone pain, mental confusion. This can lead to calcification (hardening of tissues) and lead to cardiac arrest
What is Phosphorus used for?
Second most abundant mineral in body
Used for hydroxyapatite, DNA, phospholipids, and ATP
What are sources of Phosphorus?
Salmon, cheese, milk, eggs, beef, legumes, potatoes, rice, and oatmeal
What are the effects of Phosphorus deficiency?
Rare, but leads to osteoporosis, seizures, coma, anorexia, muscle weakness, anemia, and increases risk of infections.
What are the effects of Phosphorus toxicity?
Rare, can lead to calcification of tissues
What is Sodium used for?
Key electrolyte (cation, +vely charged) Fluid balance from osmosis
What are sources of Sodium?
Table salt, food prep, natural, and LOTS in processed foods (75% of all in our diet)
What are the effects of Sodium deficiency?
Hyponatremia, caused by excessive vomiting, sweating, diarrhea
Can progress to unconsciousness and coma
What are the effects of Sodium toxicity?
Caused by loss of body water.
Symptoms include thirst, weakness, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Can lead to confusion, muscle twitching, and brain hemorrhages, hypertension
What is a D.A.S.H diet?
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
It emphasizes eating whole foods and plant based.
What are the effects of the D.A.S.H diet?
Reduced blood pressure
DASH paired with sodium reduction leads to further reduction in blood pressure.
What is Potassium used for?
Main role is electrolyte (cation)
Contributes to fluid balance
Lowers risk of hypertension
What are sources of Potassium?
Whole foods, bananas, beans, potatoes, salmon
What are the effects of Potassium deficiency?
Promotes tiredness, weakness, cramps.
Progresses to irregular heart rhythm, cardiac arrest
What are the effects of Potassium toxicity?
Rare, due to impaired kidney function
Promotes muscles weakness, heart irregularities, paralysis.
What is Chloride used for?
Main role is electrolyte (anion)
Maintains fluid balance
Part of hydrochloric acid
What are sources of Chloride?
Table salt
What are the effects of Chloride deficiency?
Rare, due to respiratory issues, vomiting, kidney issues
Promotes weakness, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting
What are the effects of Chloride toxicity?
Rare, due to irregular fluid balance
Promotes tiredness, muscle weakness
What is Magnesium used for?
Cofactor for more than 600 enzymes (metabolism, protein synthesis, DNA structure, brain dev, heart health, bone density, hydroxyapatite crystals)
Popular dietary supplement (reduces migraines)
Studies show it can promote heart health, manage blood sugar, but need more evidence
What are sources of Magnesium?
Many foods, like bananas, avocados, nuts, spinach
What are the effects of Magnesium deficiency?
Rare
Promotes appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness
Leads to cramping, numbness, tingling or heart irregularities, and seizures
What are the effects of Magnesium toxicity?
Rare, due to over-supplementation, laxative, antacid use
Promotes diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping
What is Sulfur used for?
Third most abundant in our body
Critical for synthesis of amino acids methionine and cysteine, which contain sulfur and contribute to protein folding
Needed to create antioxidant glutathione peroxidase
What are sources of Sulfur?
Protein rich foods.
What are the effects of Sulfur deficiency?
Rare
Promotes protein-energy malnutrition
What are the effects of Sulfur toxicity?
Rare
Promotes diarrhea, colitis
