Minerals Flashcards
What are the 17 essential minerals?
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Sulfur
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iodine
- Iron
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Selenium
- Silicon
- Zinc
Metal poisoning primarily affects what three areas in the body?
- Metabolic enzymes
- Brain
- Nervous system
What are the four toxic metals that may cause harm in relatively high concentrations?
- Lead
- Aluminum
- Cadmium
- Mercury
What are the three electrolyte minerals?
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
What are the 7 macrominerals?
- Calcium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Sulfur
What is the most abundant mineral in the human body?
Calcium
Which vitamin is the most essential to calcium absorption?
Vitamin D
What are the 4 functions of Calcium?
- Development and maintenance of bones and teeth.
- Muscle contraction
- Nerve signaling
- Blood clot formation
When we don’t get sufficient amounts of Calcium in our diet where does the body draw it from?
The Bones
Heart function is mediated by 4 minerals, what are they?
- Calcium stimulates contraction
- Magnesium supports relaxation phase
- Sodium and Potassium generates the electrical impulse.
Which mineral deficiency along with high amounts of calcium or vitamin D can lead to Kidney stone formation?
Magnesium
The most absorbable and highly recommended form of Calcium to supplement with are?
aspartate or citrate salts of calcium
Best sources of calcium from food are…
Broccoli, cauliflower, peas and beans. Many leafy greens contain calcium but because of oxalic acid, their calcium is not easily absorbable.
Chloride is also known as what poisonous gas?
Chlorine
What are the 2 primary food sources of Chloride?
Salt and seaweed
What is the main function of Chloride?
- Electrolyte - fluid balance in the body
2. formation of stomach acid - HCL, KCl and NaCL
What is the key digestive acid in the Stomach?
HCL - hydrochloric acid
What causes magnesium deficiencies? (5)
- drinking soft water
- diuretic drugs
- alcohol
- caffeine
- sugar
What causes calcium deficiency?
- High phosphorus levels (ASD ratio is 2:1 when it should be 1:1)
What occurs when there is a diet high in phosphorus and low in calcium?
Bone loss and increase in tissue calcification (atherosclerosis - plaque in the arteries)
What are the 5 functions of magnesium?
- Relax skeletal muscles
- Bone Health - pulls calcium into bones
- breakdown and metabolism of carbohydrate and sugars
- Blood pressure - helps blood vessels to relax
- Neurotransmitter balance - affects brain function and mood.
Which mineral is called the “anti-stress” mineral?
Magnesium
What food sources are good for magnesium?
leafy greens, nuts and seeds
What is the most absorbable form of magnesium?
Magnesium chelated with amino acids (magnesium glycinate and magnesium aspartate)
Which two minerals are alkaline and should not be taken with or after meals (due to reduced stomach acid and poor absorption)?
Magnesium and Calcium
To function optimally, which other 4 minerals should be in balance with magnesium?
Calcium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Sodium Chloride
Which two minerals compete for absorption in the intestines?
Phosphorus and Calcium
Food sources of phosphorus are…
Nuts and seeds, whole grains, brewer’s yeast and most fruits and vegetables
What are the 4 functions of phosphorus?
- Builds bones and teeth (85% of phosphorus is stored in bones and teeth)
- Energy Production (ATP)
- the backbone of our DNA
- It’s a component of Phospholipids (fats)
What are the 4 function of potassium?
- An electrolyte
- keeps heart and muscles firing properly
- Flushes out excess sodium
- Nerve impulse transmission
What is the best way to consume potassium?
Through fruits and vegetables
Sodium is absorbed into the _________ and __________.
Stomach and small intestine
What % of sodium consumed gets into the body?
100%
How is sodium eliminated from the body?
kidneys
What is the best way to consume sodium?
Almost all foods contain some sodium.
What are the 4 functions of sodium?
- Electrolyte - balance of fluids
- Nerve impulse transmission
- Regulation of blood pressure
- Muscle relaxation
Where is sulfur absorbed?
Small intestine
What is the best way to consume sulfur?
Legumes, onions, garlic brussel sprouts, kale, lettuce etc.
What are the 4 functions of sulfur?
- formation of collagen
- maintenance of skin, hair and nails
- cellular respiration
- detox environmental and food toxins (produces the liver’s detoxification enzymes)
Where is calcium absorbed?
Small intestines
Where is excess calcium excreted from?
Feces