Micronutrients Flashcards
Iron
Trace mineral, part of hemoglobin. Food iron = ferric, body converts to ferrous, stores as ferritin. Aids in oxygen transport. Animal proteins are heme source, non-heme sources are cereals and veg but these are poorly absorbed. Abs. Aided by gastric juice and vitamin C. Calcium helps if oxalates are present. Absorption inhibited by eggs, tea, milk, cheese.
NEEDS: 8 mg male, 18 mg female.
Deficiency s/s: pale tongue, fatigue, anemia, spoon nails. Pale conjunctiva.
Phosphorous
Second most abundant mineral
Phospholipids transport fat through lymph and blood. Strengthens bones and teeth.
Found in meat, milk, poultry, eggs, fish, cheese.
Needs: 700mg
Deficiency is rare.
Magnesium
Part of chlorophyll. 50% in bone, 50% in cells. Aids in protein and fatty synthesis, stabilizes structure of ATP, high protein, calcium, and vitamin D all increase need. Found in most foods, milk, bread.
Needs: males 420 mg, females 320 mg. Deficiency is rare but causes tremors.
Zinc
Trace mineral, excess leads to copper or iron deficiency. Increases taste acuity, enhances insulin action, stabilizes DNA, RNA,, cell division. Found in meat, liver, eggs, fish, phytates and copper decrease absorption. Males 11 mg, females 8mg. Deficiency: reduced immune function, alopecia, poor wound healing, hypogeusia.
Iodine
Trace mineral, part of thyroxine. Found in seafoods and iodized salt. Needs 150 micrograms, deficiency causes goiter.
Fluoride
Trace mineral that strengthens teeth and bone. Found in soil and water. Needs: males 4mg females 3 mg. deficiency causes dental caries.
Copper
Trace mineral attached to protein ceruloplasmin. Role in Hemoglobin synthesis, aids iron absorption. Sources- liver, kidney, shellfish. Needs- 900 micrograms
Deficiency is rare: microcytic anemia, neutropenia, Wilson’s dz: low serum copper, genetic absence of liver enzyme.
Selenium
Cooperates with Vitamin E, trace mineral. Antioxidant with role in tissue respiration. Found in soil, grains, meat, fish, poultry, dairy.
Needs: males 55 micrograms, females 45 micrograms.
Def: myalgia, cardiac myopathy.
Manganese
Trace mineral, role in central nervous system. Found in whole grains, legumes, nuts. Needs: 1.8-2.3 micrograms. Deficiency is unlikely.
Chromium
Absorption enhanced by vitamin c, niacin. Ultra trace mineral. Aids in insulin action and glucose metabolism. Found in yeast, oysters, potatoes, liver.
NEEDS- 25-35 micrograms. Deficiency leads to insulin resistance.
Cobalt
Exists with B12, stored in liver. Role in maturation of red blood cells.
Deficiency is related to b12 deficiency.
Sulfur
Part of amino acids: cysteine, cystine, methionine
Component of organic molecules
Found in meat, fish, eggs, poultry, animal proteins.
Needs- 425-550 mg AI
Choline
Component of lecithin, transports lipids as acetyl choline.
Found in the fat in eggs, milk, liver, soybeans.
Chromium and zinc
Important for glucose metabolism
Increase energy expenditure
Increases need for thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid.