Microminerals Flashcards
iron distribution in the body
65% as part of hemoglobin
10% in myoglobin
1-5% as part of enzymes
20% in storage
two categories of sources for iron
heme iron
non-heme iron
sources of heme iron
heme iron is contained within a porphryin structure and is derived from hemoglobin and myoglobin so is only find in animal products
meat, fish, poultry, oysters, clams
sources of non-heme iron
meat
beans, dark green leafy veggies, dried fruits
blackstrap molasses
enriched foods fortified with iron
which minerals are microminerals?
iron copper zinc selenium chromium iodine manganese molybdenum (Mo) fluoride boron silicon vanadium (V)
chemical forms of iron in the body
2 stable forms are:
ferric (Fe3+) and ferrous (Fe2+) iron
digestion of heme iron
heme iron is hydrolyzed from hemoglobin or myoglobin by proteases in the stomach and SI
digestion of non-heme iron
- non-heme iron is hyrolyzed from food components by HCl and proteases in the stomach releasing iron in the Fe3+ form
- some of it is reduced to Fe2+ by low pH of the stomach but it may complex to FeOH3 in the alkaline environment of the SI an and be poorly absorbed
duodenal cytochrome b
acts as a ferric reductase
reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+ in the duodenum and improves solubility and absorption
what is needed as a cofactor for duodenal cytochrome b/ferric reductase?
vitamin C is required for it so it can help absorption of non-heme iron
absorption of heme iron
- absorbed throughout the SI but absorbed most in the duodenum by the carrier protein HCP1 (heme carrier protein 1)
- then, once absorbed heme is hydrolyzed by heme oxygenase to give inorganic Fe2+ and a porphyrin ring
what percentage of heme iron is absorbed?
what percentage of non-heme e iron is absorbed?
15-35% of heme iron is absorbed
2-20% of non-heme iron is absorbed
absorption of non-heme iron
any Fe2+ is absorbed via the DMT1 (divalent mineral transporter 1), stimulated by low iron stores
iron present in the Fe3+ form is reduced to Fe2+
factors that enhance absorption of non-heme iron
- vitamin C
- other organic acids (malic, citric, tartaric, lactic acids)
- meat, fish, poultry
- low iron status
factors that inhibit iron absorption
phytic acids (phytases) polyphenols oxalates phosvitin (found in egg yolks) other minerals (calcium, zinc, copper, manganese) soy, wheat, egg, whey, casein protein herbal teas: peppermint, green tea, linden flower and chamomile rapid transit time decreased stomach acidity
what does hepcidin do?
when iron stores are high or adequate, hepcidin is released from the liver which promotes the degradation of ferroportin which decreases the transport of iron across the membrane of the enterocyte
- also, low levels of hepcidin cause increased ferroportin levels
actions of mobilferrin, ferroportin, and transferrin
- mobilferrin transports iron through enterocytes
- ferroportin is required to transport iron across the basolateral membrane
- transferrin transports iron in the blood while in the Fe3+ form
how is Fe2+ iron converted into Fe3+ iron before it enters the bloodstream?
with either of:
- hephaestin
- ceruloplasmin
where is iron stored in the body?
60% stored in lover
also stores in bone marrow and spleen
storage proteins for iron?
- ferritin - primary storage protein for iron
- hemosiderin - a degradation product of ferritin
when do levels of hemosiderin increase?
during iron overload
why is iron turnover so high?
because the dietary intake cannot meet the daily needs of the body so iron is constantly recycling its stores from degradation of ferritin, hemoglobin, and hemosiderin
functions of iron in the body
- oxygen transport and storage
- electron transport and energy metabolism
- some iron-dependant enzymes
what are some examples of iron-dependant enzymes?
- peroxidases (catalyse, myeloperosidase, thyroperosidase)
- ribonucleotide reductase
- tyrosine hyroxylase
- monooxygenases
3 levels of iron deficiency
- storage iron depletion
- early functional iron deficiency
- iron-deficiency anemia
symptoms of iron deficiency
most result from associated anemia (fatigue, tachycardia, arrhythmias, dyspnea on exertion)
other symptoms:
- cold intolerance
- poor concentration, mood disturbances
- angular stomatitis and atrophic glossitis
- alopecia and brittle and spoon shaped nails
who is at increased risk of iron deficiency?
infants, young children, adolescents menstruating females pregnancy chronic blood loss parasitic infections hypochlorhydria gastric bypass surgery and faster GI transit time celiac disease vegetarians, vegans regular intense exercise
clinical indications for iron
restless leg syndrome
adverse effects of iron supplementation
constipation or occasionally diarrhea dark tarry stools nausea and vomiting epigastric pain generally they are tolerated better when taken in smaller doses divided with food
who has higher risk of chronic iron toxicity?
hemochromatosis - increased absorption in the intestines caused by a genetic mutation
thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia
alcoholic cirrhosis
nutrient interactions of iron
- vitamin C - enhances absorption of non-heme iron
- copper - both hephaestin and ceruloplasmin are copper-dependent enzymes and required to mobilize iron from tissues
- calcium, zinc, copper, manganese - non-heme iron and these divalent minerals compete for a common absorptive pathway
- lead - iron deficiency increases led absorption which inhibits incorporation of iron into heme
what oxidation states of copper are found in the body?
Cu1+
Cu2+
sources of copper
organ meats shellfish whole grains nuts and seeds it's in a wide variety of foods
how is copper released from its organic components during digestion?
HCl and pepsin in the stomach
proteolytic enzymes in the SI
absorption of copper in the body
- what enzyme is involved
most Cu2+ is reduced to Cu1+ by the enzyme copper reductase
what methods are used in copper absorption?
- active carrier mediated transport by CTR1 (copper transporter 1) and DMT1 (divalent mineral transporter) in low concentrations of copper
- nonsaturable passive diffusion in high concentrations of copper
factors that enhance copper absorption
amino acids (especially histidine and methionine) organic acids (HCl, citric, lactic, malic, acetic) low copper status
factors that inhibit copper absorption
phytates
vitamin C and cystiene
other minerals (zinc, iron, molybdenum, calcium, phosphorous)
hypochlorhydria or excessive use of antacids
transport of copper in the body
- enters circulation from enterocytes via transport protein ATP7A
- bound primarily to albumin in hepatic portal circulation
- in liver, binds to ceruloplasmin to be transported to other tissues as needed
where is copper stored in the body?
liver, brain, kidneys
bound to various proteins (thionine, forming metallothionine)
function of copper in the body
as a cofactor for various copper-dependent enzymes
also angiogenesis and production of neutrophils
what enzymes use copper as a cofactor?
- feroxidases (ceruloplasmin and hephaestin)
- copper-zinc SOD
- cytochrome C oxidase
- lysys oxidase
- dopamine monoxygenase (aka dopamine beta-hydroxylase)
- tyrosinase
when is there increased risk of copper deficiency?
- high supplemental zinc intakes (50mg/day for extended period of time)
- Menkes disease - recessive genetic disorder that results in mutations of the copper transport gene ATP7A
- frequent use of antacids
- infants fed exclusively cow’s milk based formula
signs and symptoms of copper deficiency
- microcytic, hypochromic anemia not responsive to iron supplementation
- neutropenia and subsequent impaired immune function
- deterioration of the neurological system
- hypopigmentation of skin and hair, kinky hair
clinical indications for copper supplementation
only for treating or preventing a copper deficiency
which form of copper should not be used as a supplement?
cupric oxide - has shown to be unavailable for absorption through the digestive tract
symptoms of copper toxicity
general
acute
chronic toxicity
N & V
constipation
for doses of 2mg or more (supplemental)
acute toxicity (much higher dose needed): abdominal pain, diarrhea, N&V
chronic toxicity: causes liver and kidney damage and eventually death
what is Wilson’s disease?
a genetic disorder of copper metabolism resulting in defective biliary copper excretion and so copper accumulates in the liver, brain, kidneys, cornea, spleen
nutrient interactions of copper
- iron
- zinc
- molybdenum
how does copper affect iron levels in the body?
- prolonged copper deficiency can cause secondary/functional iron deficiency anemia
- Fe2+ must be converted into Fe3+ by a copper containing enzyme before it can be used
how does zinc affect copper levels in the body?
- high supplemental zinc intake of 50mg/day can lead to a copper deficiency
- zinc stimulates the synthesis of thionine which has higher binding affinity for copper than zinc so causes copper to be trapped in the enterocyte and will cause it to be sloughed off with old intestinal cells so additional copper must be taken when supplementing high doses of zinc for extended periods