Chapter 15 - Trace Minerals Flashcards
Trace minerals are needed in quantities…
less than 100 mg/day
When all of the trace minerals are combined, what percent of minerals in the body do they make up?
less than 1%
How many women and children are deficient in iron?
2/3 of all children and women of child bearing age
Heme Iron
Iron provided from animal tissues primarily as a component of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Approximately 40% of the iron in meat is heme iron, and it’s readily absorbed.
Nonheme Iron
Iron provided from plant sources and elemental iron components of animal tissues. Nonheme iron is less efficiently absorbed than heme iron, and absorption is more closely dependent on body needs.
Iron is found in…
- meats
- seafood
- bakery products
- spinach (and other dark leafy greens)
- kidney/garbanzo/navy beans
Can cooking in an iron pan transfer iron to food?
yes
You need ___ mg/day unless you are a woman who gets her period, then you need __ mg/day
8 mg/day, 18 mg/day
Ferritin
Iron-binding proteins in the intestinal mucosa that binds iron and prevents it from entering the bloodstream; also the primary storage form of iron in the liver and other tissues
Low iron stores means low ________ levels, so that more iron can enter to mucosal iron pool and transport into the bloodstream.
ferritin
What enhances iron uptake?
transferrin surface receptors
Lysosome
Cell organelle that digests proteins, such as transferrin, and breaks down bacteria and old/damaged cell components
Hemosiderin
Iron-binding protein in the liver that stores iron when iron levels in the body exceed the storage capacity of ferritin
What percent of iron is recovered and recycled, and what percent is excreted?
90% ; 10%
What protein aids in the regulation of iron absorption and balance?
Hepcidin
What percentage of consumed iron is absorbed (assuming adequate iron status)?
14-18%
What can reduce iron absorption?
- phytic acid
- oxalic acid
- high fiber
- polyphenols
- excessive intake of zinc, manganese, or calcium
- reduced gastric acidity
What can increase iron absorption?
- meat protein factor (MPF)
- vitamin C (to form ferrous iron)
- gastric acidity
Functions of Iron
- part of hemoglobin and myoglobin, which metabolize and transport oxygen
- part of enzymes for energy metabolism, drug/alcohol transformation, excretion of organic compounds
- cofactor in synthesis of neurotransmitters
- production of lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells
UL for Iron
45 mg/day
Symptoms of Iron Toxicity
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach irritation
- diarrhea
- impaired absorption of trace minerals
What is the leading cause of poisoning of children in the US under the age of 6?
Iron overdose
Hemochromatosis
Genetic disorder characterized by increased absorption of iron, saturation of iron-binding proteins, and iron deposits in the liver, heart, pancreas, joints, and pituitary gland.
• Can lead to liver disease and heart failure.
• Treat with periodic blood removal and chelator drugs.
Zinc is found in…
- protein-rich meat
- seafood
- nuts
- beans
- wheat germ
- whole grains
RDA for Zinc
11 mg/day for men, 8 mg/day for women
DV for Zinc
15 mg
Zinc is absorbed in the ____________ by ____________ and _____________, excreted in the ________, but sometimes in the ________ and ________.
small intestine simple diffusion active transport feces urine sweat
Metallothionein
Protein involved in the binding and release of zinc and copper in intestinal and liver cells
Zinc absorption is increased by…
- certain amino acids
* yeast
Zinc absorption is decreased by…
- phytic acid
- fiber
- too much zinc
- high nonheme iron intake
There are no storage sites for zinc, but there are zinc pools in…
the liver, bones, pancreas, kidneys, and blood
Functions of Zinc
- DNA/RNA/heme synthesis
- bone formation
- taste acuity
- immune function
- reproduction
- growth and development
- antioxidant defense network
- stabilize structures of cell membrane proteins/gene transcription fingers/receptor proteins for vitamin A, vitamin D, and thyroid hormone
- shortens duration of common colds
Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency
- loss of appetite
- delayed growth and sexual maturation
- dermatitis
- impaired vitamin A function
- alopecia
- decreased taste sensitivity
- poor wound healing
- immune dysfunction
- diarrhea
- birth defects
- increased infant mortality
- impaired integrity of zinc-containing structural proteins
UL for Zinc
40 mg/day
Symptoms of Zinc Toxicity
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
- nausea
- intestinal cramps
- diarrhea
- impaired immune function and copper absorption
Copper is found in…
- liver
- shellfish
- nuts
- lentils
- seeds
- soy products
- dark chocolate
RDA for Copper
900 micrograms/day
DV for Copper
2 mg
Copper is absorbed in the _______________ by ____________ and ____________ to the ________, which is the main storage site, and the _________. It is then excreted through ______________.
small intestine simple diffusion active transport liver kidneys bile in the feces
Absorption of copper varies from ___% to ___%
12 to 70%
Copper absorption is decreased by…
high intakes of iron, zinc, and phytate
Functions of Copper
- forms ceruloplasmin to oxidize ferrous iron ferric iron
- part of superoxide dismutase (SOD) ezymes to eliminate superoxide free radicals (which stops cell membrane oxidation)
- part of last step of electron transfer chain
- regulation of neurotransmitters
- connective tissue formation
Symptoms of Copper Deficiency
- anemia
- decreased white blood cell count (leukopenia)
- skeletal abnormalities (osteopenia)
- loss of skin and hair pigmentation
- cardiovascular changes
- impaired immune function
Copper deficiencies are usually found in…
- premature infants consuming milk-based formula
- infants recovering from malnutrition
- patients on long-term total parenteral nutrition without added copper
- those consuming excess zinc
- those with Menkes disease
Symptoms of copper toxicity
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- cirrhosis
- neurological damage
Copper toxicity is usually found in…
- children who accidentally overdose on tablets
- consumption of copper-contaminated food or water
- those with Wilson’s disease