82 - The Nutritional Value of Minerals

Question 1

Effect of calcium deficiency

Answer 1

Rickets, poor blood clotting, osteoporosis

Question 2

Effect of hypercalcaemia

Answer 2

Impaired kidney function

Malabsorption of other minerals

Question 3

Vitamin essential for Ca2+ absorption

Answer 3

Vitamin D

Question 4

What leads to malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 4

When muscle releases excess Ca2+ and muscle becomes an uncontrolled ATPase.
Can be triggered by gaseous anaesthetics, EG halothane

Question 5

Role of phosphate in humans

Answer 5

Component of DNA, RNA, ATP, phospholipids in cell membranes

Question 6

Symptoms of phosphate deficiency

Answer 6

Muscular weakness

Bone pain

Question 7

Symptoms of K+ deficiency

Answer 7

Irregular heartbeat
Muscular weakness
Glucose intolerance

Question 8

Significant sources of K+

Answer 8

All whole foods: meat, milk, fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes

Question 9

Why is sulphur deficiency very rare?

Answer 9

S exists in cysteine, methionine, which are broken down if S is needed

Question 10

Symptoms of Na+ deficiency

Answer 10

Muscle cramps, mental apathy, loss of appetite (Na+ deficiency is rare)

Question 11

Role of chloride

Answer 11

Major anion outside cells.

HCl in the stomach.

Question 12

Toxicity symptoms of Cl-

Answer 12

Vomiting (NaCl is an emetic)

Question 13

Role of Mg

Answer 13

Supports bone mineralisation.

Involved in ATP use in the body.

Question 14

Symptoms of Mg deficiency

Answer 14

Weakness
Confusion

If extreme:
Convulsions
Bizarre muscle movements
Hallucinations

Question 15

Use of magnesium sulphate

Answer 15

Laxative (Epsom salts)

Question 16

Symptoms of Fe deficiency

Answer 16

Anaemia (weakness, fatigue, headaches)
Impaired cognitive function
Impaired immunity
Pale skin
Inability to regulate body temperature
Pica

Question 17

Disease of iron toxicity

Answer 17

Haemochromatosis (most commonly from genetic disorders)

Question 18

Symptoms of zinc deficiency

Answer 18

Growth retardation
Delayed sexual malnutrition
Impaired immune function
Hair loss
Skin, eye lesions
Loss of appetite

Question 19

Function of copper in the body

Answer 19

Necessary for absorption, use of iron in haemoglobin.

Part of several enzymes

Question 20

Symptoms of copper deficiency

Answer 20

Anaemia, bone abnormalities

Question 21

Disease of copper deficiency

Answer 21

Menke’s disease.

X-linked disorder characterised by neurological and connective tissue dysfunction (ATP7A dysfunction).

Question 22

Wilson’s disease

Answer 22

Overactivity of copper transporter ATP7A.

Question 23

Role of manganese

Answer 23

Cofactor for several enzymes (EG: in glycogenin).

Bone formation

Question 24

Significant sources of iodine

Answer 24

Greatest reservoir is the ocean.

Seafood, bread, dairy, plants grown in iodine-rich soil

Question 25

Role of selenium

Answer 25

Defends against oxidation (essential for role of glutathione peroxidase).
Regulates thyroid hormone (essential for T3/T4 synthesis)

Question 26

Symptoms of selenium deficiency

Answer 26

Cardiovascular disease, from cardiac tissue becoming fibrous (Keshan disease)

Question 27

Symptoms of selenium deficiency

Answer 27

Loss and brittleness of hair and nails
Skin rash
Fatigue
Irritability
Garlic breath odour

Question 28

Chromium role

Answer 28

Enhanced insulin action

Might improve glucose tolerance

Question 29

Symptoms of chromium deficiency

Answer 29

Diabetes-like symptoms (impaired glucose tolerance)

Question 30

Why do humans need cobalt?

Answer 30

Part of vitamin B12.

Cobalt by itself does nothing. Needs to be complexed into B12