Dietary minerals

Question 1

How many essential nutrients are there in humans

Answer 1

46

Question 2

What are essential nutrients

Answer 2

Chemicals in food that mammals require for normal functioning and health

Question 3

Why must essential nutrients come from the diet

Answer 3

They must come from the diet as they cannot be made endogenously or cannot be made in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of a body

Question 4

What are micronutrients

Answer 4

Vitamins and Minerals

Question 5

What is the broad actions of minerals

Answer 5

Growth and maintenance of tissues and regulation of body processes

Question 6

What are the 2 essential electrolytes

Answer 6

Sodium and potassium

Question 7

What is the function of potassium and sodium

Answer 7

Normal nerve and muscle function and osmoregulation

Question 8

What are sources of potassium

Answer 8

Milk, banana, most peas and beans, tomatoes, oranges, melon, potatoes, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, kale, salt substistutes, prunes and raisins

Question 9

What are sources of sodium

Answer 9

Salt, milk, beets, celery, sardines, green olives, cheese, beef, pork

Question 10

what are the functions of calcium

Answer 10

Building and maintaining bones and teeth, nerve transmission and heartbeat regulation, muscle contraction, formation of blood clots, thrombin formation,homeostatic control of plasma and cellular Ca

Question 11

What is the requirement for calcium per day

Answer 11

800mg/day

Question 12

What are sources of calcium

Answer 12

Milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines, tofu, carrots, tinned sardines

Question 13

Where is calcium metabolism regulated

Answer 13

Small intestine, bone and kidney

Question 14

What mediates calcium metabolism

Answer 14

Calciotrophic hormones (vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin)

Question 15

What is the function of magnesium

Answer 15

Transport of other ions across the plasma membrane, calcium channel blocker, muscle relaxation, cellular function e.g oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, DNA, transcription and protein synthesis

Question 16

What are sources of magnesium

Answer 16

Nuts, shellfish, cereals with outer layer in tact, water, some fruit and veg

Question 17

What can magnesium deficiency lead to

Answer 17

Resistance to fit D, neuromuscular hyper-excitability, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia(- K balance)

Question 18

What can calcium deficiency lead to

Answer 18

Osteoporosis

Question 19

What is the function of phosphorus

Answer 19

Temporary storage and transfer of ATP (decreased energy released upon oxidation of macronutrients), phosphorylation, buffer to prevent changes in pH of body fluids, important component of bone and teeth

Question 20

What are sources of phosphorus

Answer 20

Present in all foods but content varies

Question 21

What is the recommended intake of phosphorus per day

Answer 21

1-1.5g/ day

Question 22

Why is phosphorus deficiency rare

Answer 22

Present in all foods

Question 23

What are sources of iron

Answer 23

Red meats, enriched grain and fortified cereals

Question 24

What is the recommended iron intake for males

Answer 24

8.7mg/day

Question 25

What is the RNI for iron for females

Answer 25

14.8mg/day

Question 26

What is the function of iron

Answer 26

Component of haemoglobin, myoglobin in muscle cells, electron transport chain, enzyme cofactor, immune function and drug detoxification pathway

Question 27

What is the do between Heme and non-heme iron

Answer 27

Heme is better absorbed than non-heme

Question 28

How can non-heme absorption be improved

Answer 28

Eaten along with sources of heme iron, vitamin c also enhances absorption

Question 29

What are sources of heme iron

Answer 29

Animal flesh

Question 30

What are sources of non-heme iron

Answer 30

Animal flesh, eggs, milk, vegetables, grains

Question 31

How is calcium and iron absorption determined

Answer 31

Altered to match bodies need

Question 32

What is iron absorption hindered by

Answer 32

Physical acid, oxalic acid, high fibre, high calcium and polyphenols and competes with zinc

Question 33

What is the amount of iron an individual can consume without side effects ( upper level) per day

Answer 33

45mg/ day

Question 34

What are symptoms of iron toxicity

Answer 34

Diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain

Question 35

What is the function of iodine

Answer 35

Essential components of thyroid hormones linked to growth and development

Question 36

What are the consequences of iodine deficiency

Answer 36

goitre, cretinism (mental growth stunt)

Question 37

What are the functions of zinc

Answer 37

Enzyme cofactor, synthesis of DNA and RN, protein metabolism, immune function and wound healing, development of sexual organs and bones, insulin function, component of superoxide dismutase (O2 defence enzyme)

Question 38

Is the RDA or zinc for females

Answer 38

7mg/day

Question 39

What is the RDA of zinc for males

Answer 39

9.5mg/day

Question 40

What are sources of zinc

Answer 40

Animal products, shellfish, legumes

Question 41

What are the consequences of zinc deficiency

Answer 41

Stunting, slow sexual maturity, loss of taste, slow wound healing and lethargy

Question 42

What are the sources of selenium

Answer 42

Fish, meat, egg, milk, shellfish, grain, seeds and nuts (depending on soil content)

Question 43

What are the functions of selenium

Answer 43

Enzyme Cofactor, protects the heart and other cells from oxidative damage, works alongside vitamin E

Question 44

What is the RDA for selenium for males

Answer 44

75mcg/day

Question 45

What is the RDA for selenium for females

Answer 45

60mcg/day

Question 46

What are the consequences of selenium deficiency

Answer 46

Muscle pain and wasting, cardiomyopathy

Question 47

What mineral deficiencies are most common in the developing world

Answer 47

Zinc, iron, iodine

Question 48

What are the major minerals

Answer 48

Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, sodium, chloride, magnesium

Question 49

What can affect mineral absorption

Answer 49

Dietary fibre and other minerals competing for absorption