Chapter 15: Trace Minerals Flashcards
Trace mineral definition
Minerals required in amounts that are <100 mg/d
Functions of iron in the body
Oxygen transport
Energy metabolism
Cell division
Immune system
Nervous system
Role of iron in oxygen transport
- Hemoglobin: iron containing protein in red blood cells
- Myoglobin: iron containing protein in muscles
- RBCs
Role of iron in energy metabolism
Part of enzymes cytochromes needed for energy metabolsim
Role of iron in cell division
Required by an enzyme needed for DNA production
Role of iron in the immune system
Production of WBC and enables some WBC’s to destroy bacteria
Role of iron in the nervous system
Maintain the myelin sheath that covers parts of certain nerve cells
Synthesis of neurotransmitters that regulate brain and muscular activity
What is hemme iron
Form of iron found in meat
Bound to hemme protein
What is nonhemme iron
Not bound to hemme protein
Found in plants and meat
- Grains (enriched)
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Legumes
What is the transport protein for iron
Transferrin (NOT HEMOGLOBIN)
What is the storage form of iron
Ferritin
Stored in the liver, spleen and bone marrow
Iron absorption from foods
You intake much more nonhemme iron, but more of the hemme iron is absorbed
Bioavailability of non-hemme iron
- Limited absorption
- Factors that enhance absorption: Meat/fish/poultry factor and vitamin C
- Factors that inhibit absorption: phylates and tannins
Bioavailability of hemme iron
Readily absorbed by the body
Factors that enhance iron absorption
Vitamin C
Hemme iron
Leavening of bread
Fermentation
Soaking beans or grains
Iron from cast iron cookware
Factors that inhibit iron absorption
High intake of calcium with iron-containing food
Medications that reduce stomach acidity
Oxalic acid from foods such as spinach
Phytic acid from foods such as whole grains
Soy protein from foods such as tofu
Polyphenols from foods and beverages such as tea
What is anemia
Most common health problem in the US and in the world
Condition where the number of healthy red blood cells are reduced and altered and they are unable to carry adequate amounts of oxygen
Causes of anemia and populations at risk
Causes: blood loss, chronic low intake of iron or low intake during critical periods (adolescence, pregnancy)
At risk: females, vegans
What is microcytic anemia
The 3rd stage of low iron progression
It is iron deficiency anemia
- Characterized by a lack of RBCs or the production of RBCs that do not contain enough hemoglobin