Chapter 9: Minerals (NOT DONE) Flashcards
Define: basic organic elements
Basic organic elements: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen; found within molecules that make up living things such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
Define: minerals
Minerals: elements that form solid compounds and are not bound to carbon; inorganic and don’t provide energy
Define: major minerals and give examples
Major minerals: minerals required in higher amounts in diet (100mg/ day at least); make up 3% of the body’s weight
- Examples: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, sulfur, and magnesium
Define: minor minerals and examples
Minor minerals: minerals required in lower amounts in diet; make up 0.15% of the body’s weight
- Examples: iron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, selenium
Define: bioavailability
Bioavailability: availability of minerals in food as well its propensity to be absorbed and available for use within the body
What affects mineral bioavailability in plants
- composition quantity and diversity found in soil
- presence of anti-nutrients: plant compounds that may negatively impact biodiversity such as phytates, oxalates, tannins, and glucosinolates
Plants vs large animals; which is a better source of minerals and why
large animals because they do not contain anti nutrients
anti-nutrient: phytates
- sources
- impairs what
- how to counteract
- Found in plant seeds and are abundant in nuts, legumes, and grains
- Impair iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium absorption
- Soaking foods overnight or fermenting them (sour dough) can lessen phytate level
anti-nutrient: oxalates
- sources
- impairs what
- how to counteract
- Found in leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds
- Bind to minerals and forms compounds that cannot be absorbed; decrease calcium and iron bioavailability specifically
- Boiling foods high in oxalates significantly reduce their oxalate content
anti-nutrient: tannins
- sources
- impairs what
- how to counteract
- Found in tea, coffee, red wine, and legumes
- Impair iron absorption
- If you are prone to iron deficiency, avoid consuming tannin-rich foods and beverages with meals that contain iron
anti-nutrient: glucosinolates
- sources
- impairs what
- Found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage
- Compromise iron absorption
define: biomineralization
using minerals to form structures like egg shells, shells for sea creatures
define: cofactors
inorganic metals that bind to coenzymes then enzymes, often activating them and thus improving the rate of reaction
What are some functions of minerals (5)
- Contribute to body’s structure and help regulate body processes
- Help regulate energy production
- Affect growth and development
- biomineralization
- cofactors
define: hydroxyapatite crystals
calcium and phosphorus together that mineralizes bones and teeth
