Major Minerals

Question 1

Sodium

Answer 1

= most abundant cation in ECF
easily absorbed in GI tract
AI = 1500 mg/day or 3600 mg/day of salt
UL = 2300 mg/day

Question 2

Sodium functions

Answer 2

resting membrane potential
blood volume
nerve impulse transmission
muscle contraction

Question 3

Sodium excess

Answer 3

HTN: 50% people with HTN = sodium sensitive
edema
exagerrated in cases of potassium and magnesium deficiency

Question 4

Sodium deficiency

{hyponatremia}

Answer 4

HA
thirst
confusion
coma 
death
caused by excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced intake, diuretic meds

Question 5

Chloride

Answer 5

most abundant anion in ECF
maintains fluid balance
necessary for gastric HCl production
AI = 2300 mg/day
UL = 3600 mg/day

Question 6

Chloride excess

Answer 6

vomiting

deficiency = rare

Question 7

Potassium

Answer 7

main cation in ICF

AI = 4700 mg/day

Question 8

Potassium functions

Answer 8

resting membrane potential
fluid balance maintenance
cell integrity
nerve impulses
muscle contraction

Question 9

Potassium toxicity

{ hyperkalemia }

Answer 9

muscle weakness
peripheral neuropathy
cardiac abnormalities: arrhythmias, cardiac arrest

causes = kidney failure, meds, insufficient aldo secretion

Question 10

Potassium deficiency

{ kypokalemia }

Answer 10

fatigue
muscle weakness/cramps
incr BP
kidney stones
arrhythmias

Question 11

Conditions that incr risk for hypokalemia

Answer 11

potassium-wasting diuretics
alcoholism
severe vomiting/diarrhea
laxative overuse
anorexia/bulimia
magnesium deficiency

Question 12

Potassium food sources

Answer 12

potato
avocado
leafy greens
nuts/seeds
brassicas
banana
squash

Question 13

Magnesium

Answer 13

75% of US pop = deficient

RDA = 420 mg/day (m) or 320 mg/day (f)

Question 14

Magnesium functions

Answer 14

catalyst for ATP production
cell membrane stabilization (ion channel regulation)
synthesis of protein/lipids/nucleic acids
muscle contraction
blood clotting
BP regulation

Question 15

Magnesium excess

Answer 15

supplements only
diarrhea
alkalosis
dehydration
impaired kidney function

Question 16

Magnesium deficiency

Answer 16

neuromuscular excitability
- incr intracellular Na and Ca; decr Mg and K
muscle cramps/twitching
restless leg syndrome
cardiac dysrhythmias 
HTN
N/V/D
bone health effects

Question 17

Magnesium in foods

Answer 17

whole grains
leafy greens
nuts/seeds
legumes
fish

Question 18

Calcium

Answer 18

most abundant mineral in the body
2 forms = hydroxyapatite (bone/teeth) and ionized calcium (bodily fluids/physio activity)
AI = 1000 mg/day
UL = 2500 mg/day

Question 19

Calcium absorption

Primary Route

Answer 19

proximal SI; 60% absorbed (400-500 mg)
3 Vit D dependent mechanisms:
1. calcium transporter 1 or TRPV6: saturable, requires ATP
2. calbindin: shuttles Ca across cytosol
3. Ca-ATPase: releases Ca into plasma on basolateral membrane

Question 20

Other routes of Ca absorption

Answer 20

Paracellular diffusion
- when intestinal Ca concentration = high
claudins (vit D dependent transmembrane proteins)
enhanced by FOS, inulin, non-digestible saccharides

Bacterial digestion/fermentation of fiber releases bound Ca
= 4-10% of calcium absorbed in colon QD

Question 21

Calcium absorption

Answer 21

25-30% from food
27-39% from supplements depending on salt used
- calcium citrate minimizes GI discomfort

intakes of

Question 22

Inhibitors of calcium absorption

Answer 22

fiber - phytic and oxalic acids
excessive divalent cations - Zn, Mg

excretion incr by sodium, protein, caffeine

Question 23

Methods of phytate reduction

Answer 23

cooking/heating
soaking/sprouting
fermenting
processing
vit c - 50 mg/meal
good gut health - normal stomach pH reduces phytates

Question 24

Calcium metabolism

Answer 24

transport via albumin/prealbumin (40%) or sulfate/phosphate/citrate (10%) or free/ionized (50%)

most = deposited in bone
intra/extracellular concentrations = tightly regulated (8.5-10.5 mg/dL)

Question 25

Calcium functions

Answer 25

calcification of bones, teeth
blood-clotting activator of thrombokinase
transport of ions across cell membranes (nerves/muscles)
hormone secretion (insulin)

Question 26

Calcium balance

Answer 26

regulated via PTH (raises blood Ca) and calcitonin (lowers blood Ca)

Question 27

Calcium toxicity

Answer 27

rigor

Question 28

Calcium deficiency

Answer 28

acute = tetany
chronic = bone depletion/osteoporosis/stunted growth

causes = vit D deficiency, excess sodium, protein, caffeine

Question 29

Calcium food sources

Answer 29

dairy
leafy greens
brassicas
tofu
fortified grains
legumes
seaweed

Question 30

Phosphorus

Answer 30

2nd most abundant mineral in body
critical for bone formation - strength/rigidity
RDA = 700 mg/day
UL = 4,000 mg/day

Question 31

Phosphorus functions

Answer 31

formation of:
- bones/teeth
- ATP
- coenzymes like NADP
nucleotide/nucleic acid structure
biosynthesis of phospholipids in cell membranes
carb metabolism (G6P and F6P)

Question 32

Phosphorus excess

Answer 32

calcification of non-skeletal tissue, esp kidneys

risk for CVD and fracture

Question 33

Phosphorus deficiency

Answer 33

muscle weakness

bone pain

Question 34

Phosphorus food sources

Answer 34

dairy
liver
beef
chicken
eggs
tofu
legumes
nuts/seeds

Question 35

Sulfur

Answer 35

easily attainable from dietary proteins (met and cys)
needed for hair, skin, nail structure
no recommendations/limits set

Question 36

Sulfur functions

Answer 36

ETC enzyme function/structure
insulin structure/function
detox: taurine, glutathione, cysteine, methionine

Question 37

Sulfur deficiency

Answer 37

joint pain/arthritis
impaired liver function

no known excess

Question 38

Sulfur food sources

Answer 38

eggs
legumes
whole grains
garlic
onions
brassicas, esp brussels and cabbage