Ch. 6 Minerals Flashcards
Sources of deficiencies in American diet
Inadequate nutrient-rich foods in diet Fad diets Systemic disorders Age Gender Race Cultural habits
Combination of vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health
Essential molecules
Noncaloric vitamins and minerals needed in small quantities for the body
Micronutrients
Are minerals organic or inorganic
Inorganic (do not contain carbon)
Minerals must be _____ to function in the body
Dissolved in solvent (usually water)
Most minerals function in their ____ form
Ionic
Is turnover of minerals in the body required?
YES
Where are minerals found?
Many body tissues
Minerals needed in quantities > 100 mg/day
Major minerals
What are major minerals also called?
Macrominerals
The major minerals are :
Calcium Chloride Magnesium Phosphorus (phosphate) Potassium Sodium Sulfur
Minerals needed in quantities less that 100 mg/day
Trace minerals
How many trace minerals are there?
More than 30
Roles of minerals in the body
Converting macronutrients (glucose, proteins, fats) into energy
Synthesizing or activating enzymes
Forming hormones
Forming vitamins form precursor molecules
Forming RBCs and WBCs and recycling minerals from broken down cells
Growth and development of the brain
Immune system function
Muscle contraction
Nerve transmission
Intercellular and extracellular fluid balance and homeostasis
Forming connective tissue
Functions as antioxidants
What is ATP?
The form of chemical energy cells can use
Minerals convert macronutrients to energy to produce ATP to..
Power cellular processes
Examples of connective tissue that minerals help form
Blood
Bone
Fibers
Cartilage
What food groups contain food lush in minerals
All
____ and _____ impact the mineral content of food sources
Soil, environmental conditions
How do minerals enter the food chain?
Plants absorbing them from soil and water, animals eat the plants, the decaying plant and animals recycle minerals back into the environment and soil
Absorption of minerals
Largely from the intestine
In ionic forms
Minerals are NOT digested
Storage of minerals
Very limited capacity to store minerals in the organs
Excess mineral consumption results in excretion from the kidney
Minerals are available for use in body functions. It involves…
Absorption
Transport to location for use
Transformation to usable by cells
Imbalances in minerals lead to
Dysfunction
Antioxidants, flavonoids, phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables
Phytochemicals
Phytates or oxalates are phytochemicals that can
Prevent absorption of minerals when in excessive amounts
Cause mineralization within organs when in excessive amounts
Usual causes of mineral deficiency
Restriction or elimination of mineral rich foods in diet
Deficiency in vitamin needed to facilitate absorption or activation of the mineral
Groups that may be deficient in minerals
Lactose intolerant (calcium)
Anorexic (potassium)
Young women 20-29 (iodine)
Children and women of child bearing age (iron)
Vegetarians/vegans (zinc)
People taking drugs and alcohol (potassium and magnesium)
Most common mineral deficiencies
Calcium Zinc Iron Magnesium Iodide
Mineral excess is
Rare
Most common mineral taken in excess in the United States is
Sodium
What do electrolytes regulate
Neutral transmission
Muscle cell contraction
Acid base balance in blood
Intra/extra cellular water balance
What do electrolytes do?
Regulate body functions
Sodium potassium pump
Acid base balance
Active transport of mineral ions across semipermeable membrane and assists in sending messages along cell membranes in neutral transmission
Sodium potassium pump
Adjusts pH of blood within small tolerance levels preventing acidosis or alkalosis
Acid base balance
Electrolytes in the human body
Sodium chloride Potassium Calcium Magnesium Phosphate
Function of sodium
Regulation of blood volume and blood pressure and conduction of nerve impulses and muscle contraction
Food sources of sodium
Many sources; mik products, beets, celery, red meat
Sodium
(Na+)
Deficiency of sodium
Hyponatremia
Rare and occurs with organ failures and diuretic medication
Excess of sodium
Hypernatremia
“Salty Six” breads cold cuts pizza poultry canned soup and fast food
Dehydration
Potassium
(K+)
What does potassium do?
Participated in maintaining fluid balance
Assists with muscle contraction
Contributes to bone health by helping to prevent calcium loss from bones
Deficiency of potassium
Hypokalemia
Rare but can occur with diuretic medication, kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes, bulimia, excessive fluid loss due to diarrhea and vomiting
Often potassium is lost when these medications work in the kidney and results in
Diuretic medication
Reduction of blood pressure
And reduction of edema in heart lungs and liver
Hypokalemia
Too little potassium
Chloride
(Cl-)
Chloride works with sodium in what
Fluid balance
Chloride is a component in what?
Stomach acid (HCl) to change the nature of proteins in food and helps kill bacteria
Minerals for energy metabolism
Phosphate Magnesium Manganese Iodide Chromium
Phosphate
(P)
Phosphate functions in the body
Assists in formation of teeth and bones and reduction of ATP to release energy
Phosphate deficiency
Severe malnutrition alcoholism, severe burns and certain chronic diseases
Phosphate excesses
Dialysis patients
Massive infection
Crushing injuries
Excessive supplementation
Magnesium
(MG⬇️2+)
Functions of magnesium
Mineralizes teeth and bones
Neutral transmission and muscle contraction
Protein synthesis
Production of energy
Sources of magnesium
Green leafy vegetables - comes from chlorophyll
Deficiency of magnesium
Starvation diet, malabsorption syndrome, kidney or intestinal dysfunction
Excesses of magnesium
Causes loss of calcium from bone, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest
Manganese
(Mn)
Functions of manganese
Participates in enzyme reactions: carb metabolism
Production of neural transmission substances
Participates in wound repair
Sources of manganese
Green tea
Brown rice
Deficiency of manganese
Growth retardation and skeletal abnormalities
Excesses of manganese
Tremors, difficulty walking, irritability, hallucinations
Iodide
(I-)
Functions of iodide
Component of thyroid hormones
Regulate protein synthesis and enzyme function
Fetal development
Immune system function
Sources of iodide
Iodized salt
Deficiency of iodide
During pregnancy: miscarriage/still birth
Growth retardation, mental deficits, others
Goiter
Excesses of iodide
Goiter
Function of chromium
Mobilization of glucose for the function of insulin on cells
Sources of chromium
Meats
Whole grains
Broccoli
Chromium deficiency
Associated with type II diabetes
Excesses of chromium
Can result in either a deficiency or an excess in the mineral
Minerals for tissue synthesis
Calcium Fluoride Zinc Phosphate Magnesium
Functions of calcium
Contributes to muscle contraction, nerve transmission, hormone production
Major component of teeth and bones
Maintaining normal heart rhythm and blood clotting
Sources of calcium
Dairy products, soy, almond milk
Deficiency of calcium
Hypocalcemia
Osteomalacia (bone mineralization reduced)
Osteopenia (insufficient calcium in blood)
Rickets (children appear bow legged)
Excesses of calcium
Usually caused by excessive supplementation
May contribute to CVD/calcification but may also improve blood pressure
Fluoride
(F-)
Functions of fluoride
Increased retention of calcium in bones and teeth as hydroxyapatite crystals
Sources or fluoride
Ground water
Tea
Gelatin
Deficiency of fluoride
Increased incidence of dental decay and bone fractures in geriatric patients
Excesses of fluoride
When occurring during tooth development: fluorosis
Zinc functions
Participates in enzymatic actions
Wound healing, immune system
Protein synthesis and cell division
Sources of zinc
Red meat, shellfish, poultry
Zinc deficiency
May occur in lactating mothers and their infants and vegetarians
Excesses of zinc
Present in dentures adhesive, use in small amounts
May alter copper absorption, iron and immune system functions, and cholesterol levels
Minerals needed for red blood cell synthesis
Iron
Copper
Functions of iron
Component of hemoglobin
Synthesis of proteins
Sources of iron
Heme iron- animal sources
Nonheme iron- plant sources
Absorption enhanced in the presence of foods containing vitamin c
Iron deficiency
Bleeding, malabsorption syndromes, intestinal parasites
Food insecure households/most prevalent nutritional problem in the world
Anemia
Excesses of iron
Most toxic mineral in large enough quantities
Hemochromatosis (hereditary disease)
Functions of copper
Aids in absorption of iron
Regulates energy production and formation of cells
Antioxidant
Sources of copper
Animal and plant foods; shellfish, leafy greens, dried fruits, cocoa
Deficiency of copper
Rare but can occur in malabsorption diseases
Can result in osteoporosis and anemia
Excesses of copper
Results in hepatitis, hemolytic anemia, kidney damage
Antioxidant minerals
Selenium
Sulfur
Both work with vitamins a, c, e
Functions of selenium
Antioxidant in combination with vitamin e
Thyroid hormone metabolism
DNA synthesis
Sources of selenium
Plants grown in selenium rich soil
Selenium deficiency
Cardiac weakness, osteoarthritis, dialysis, HIV
Areas where selenium is not found in soil: Asia
Excess of selenium
Heart attack, respiratory distress, neurological problems
Functions of sulfur
Component of biotin and thiamin vitamins
Component of enzymes that help with metabolism and removal of drugs
Assists with liver function
Source of sulfur
Meat, poultry, fish, legumes, food preservatives
Deficiency and excesses of sulfur
None known
