chapter 10; trace minerals

Question 1

What are trace minerals?

Answer 1

Trace minerals are essential nutrients that the body requires in small amounts (usually less than 100 milligrams per day). They are vital for proper growth, development, and health.

Question 2

What functions do trace minerals serve?

Answer 2

Trace minerals play important roles in enzyme function, hormone synthesis, immune system health, and energy production.

Question 3

What is the function of iron?

Answer 3

Iron is crucial for the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin, supports energy production, immune function, and DNA synthesis.

Question 4

What are the sources of heme iron?

Answer 4

Heme iron is found in animal sources such as red meat, poultry, and seafood.

Question 5

What are the sources of non-heme iron?

Answer 5

Non-heme iron is found in plant sources such as legumes, spinach, tofu, and fortified cereals.

Question 6

What enhances the absorption of non-heme iron?

Answer 6

Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron.

Question 7

What inhibits iron absorption?

Answer 7

Calcium and tannins (found in tea and coffee) can inhibit iron absorption.

Question 8

What is iron-deficiency anemia?

Answer 8

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide, characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.

Question 9

What can excess iron cause?

Answer 9

Excess iron can cause organ damage, oxidative stress, and conditions like hemochromatosis.

Question 10

What is the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iron in adults?

Answer 10

The UL for adults is 45 mg/day.

Question 11

What is the function of zinc?

Answer 11

Zinc is a cofactor for over 300 enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, wound healing, immune function, and cell division.

Question 12

What are the sources of zinc?

Answer 12

Sources of zinc include meat, shellfish, poultry, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and dairy products.

Question 13

What inhibits the absorption of zinc?

Answer 13

Phytates found in whole grains and legumes can inhibit zinc absorption.

Question 14

What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency?

Answer 14

Zinc deficiency can lead to growth retardation, hair loss, poor wound healing, skin lesions, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Question 15

What can excess zinc cause?

Answer 15

Excess zinc can interfere with copper absorption, leading to copper deficiency and possibly impairing immune function.

Question 16

What is the UL for zinc in adults?

Answer 16

The UL for adults is 40 mg/day.

Question 17

What is the function of iodine?

Answer 17

Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

Question 18

What are the sources of iodine?

Answer 18

Rich sources of iodine include iodized salt, seafood, dairy products, and seaweed.

Question 19

What is goiter?

Answer 19

Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland due to insufficient iodine.

Question 20

What can severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy lead to?

Answer 20

Severe iodine deficiency can lead to cretinism, resulting in impaired brain development in infants.

Question 21

What is the UL for iodine in adults?

Answer 21

The UL for iodine in adults is 1,100 mcg/day.

Question 22

What is the function of selenium?

Answer 22

Selenium acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage and is involved in thyroid hormone metabolism.

Question 23

What are the sources of selenium?

Answer 23

Sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, seafood, meats, poultry, whole grains, and eggs.

Question 24

What can selenium deficiency lead to?

Answer 24

Selenium deficiency can lead to Keshan disease, reduced immune function, and muscle weakness.

Question 25

What is selenosis?

Answer 25

Selenosis is caused by high selenium levels and can lead to symptoms like garlic-like breath odor and hair loss.

Question 26

What is the UL for selenium in adults?

Answer 26

The UL for selenium in adults is 400 mcg/day.

Question 27

What is the function of copper?

Answer 27

Copper plays a vital role in iron metabolism, red blood cell formation, and collagen synthesis.

Question 28

What are the sources of copper?

Answer 28

Sources of copper include shellfish, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.

Question 29

What can copper deficiency lead to?

Answer 29

Copper deficiency can lead to anemia, neutropenia, and bone abnormalities.

Question 30

What can excess copper cause?

Answer 30

Excess copper can lead to liver damage and disrupt zinc absorption.

Question 31

What is the UL for copper in adults?

Answer 31

The UL for copper in adults is 10 mg/day.

Question 32

What is the function of manganese?

Answer 32

Manganese is involved in bone formation, blood clotting, and metabolism.

Question 33

What are the sources of manganese?

Answer 33

Sources of manganese include whole grains, nuts, leafy vegetables, and tea.

Question 34

What can manganese deficiency cause?

Answer 34

Manganese deficiency can cause skeletal abnormalities and impaired glucose metabolism.

Question 35

What can excessive manganese exposure cause?

Answer 35

Excessive exposure can cause neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Question 36

What is the UL for manganese in adults?

Answer 36

The UL for manganese in adults is 11 mg/day.

Question 37

What is the function of chromium?

Answer 37

Chromium enhances the action of insulin, helping regulate blood glucose levels.

Question 38

What are the sources of chromium?

Answer 38

Sources of chromium include whole grains, meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Question 39

What can chromium deficiency impair?

Answer 39

Chromium deficiency can impair glucose tolerance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Question 40

What can high levels of chromium from supplements cause?

Answer 40

High levels from supplements can cause kidney damage.

Question 41

What is the UL for chromium?

Answer 41

The UL for chromium is 1,000 mcg/day.

Question 42

What is the function of molybdenum?

Answer 42

Molybdenum is a cofactor for enzymes involved in the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids.

Question 43

What are the sources of molybdenum?

Answer 43

Sources of molybdenum include legumes, grains, and nuts.

Question 44

What can molybdenum deficiency cause?

Answer 44

Molybdenum deficiency is extremely rare but could cause metabolic issues.

Question 45

What can high levels of molybdenum lead to?

Answer 45

High levels can lead to reproductive and developmental problems in animals.

Question 46

What is the function of fluoride?

Answer 46

Fluoride is important for the formation of strong teeth and bones and helps prevent tooth decay.

Question 47

What are the sources of fluoride?

Answer 47

Sources of fluoride include fluoridated water, tea, seafood, and some dental products.

Question 48

What can fluoride deficiency increase the risk of?

Answer 48

Fluoride deficiency increases the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

Question 49

What can high fluoride intake lead to?

Answer 49

High fluoride intake can lead to dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis.

Question 50

What is the UL for fluoride in adults?

Answer 50

The UL for fluoride in adults is 10 mg/day.

Question 51

Why is balance important for trace minerals?

Answer 51

Trace minerals must be consumed in balance, as both deficiencies and toxicities can cause significant health problems.

Question 52

How should trace minerals be obtained?

Answer 52

It’s best to obtain trace minerals from food, as they are more easily absorbed and utilized by the body than supplements.

Question 53

What is crucial for maintaining optimal health regarding trace minerals?

Answer 53

A well-rounded diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods is crucial for preventing deficiencies or toxicities.

Question 54

goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Answer 54

yes

Question 55

Iodine is categorized as one of the trace minerals, because the body requires significantly [..] to meet daily needs than of the major minerals.

Answer 55

less

Question 56

(Trace minerals are also found in smaller amounts in the body.) Minerals with a daily requirement of 100 milligrams or more are considered major (or “macro”) minerals, whereas those with a daily requirement less than 100 milligrams are considered trace (or “micro”) minerals.