Minerals Flashcards
what are the different types of minerals?
major minerals and trace minerals
what are the major minerals?
- calcium
- potassium
- phosphorus
- sodium chloride
what are the functions of calcium?
- works with phosphorus and vitamin D to build strong bones and teeth
- works with vitamin K needed for blood to clot
- needed for the normal functioning of muscles and nerves for the transmission of nerve signals to control muscles
what are some sources of calcium?
- dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt
- fish either double bones such as sardines
- tofu
- vegetables such as watercress and cauliflower
what are the deficiency disease associated with calcium?
- osteoporosis
- osteomalacia
define osteoporosis
- thinning of bones and lose of bone density overtime
- fragile which increases the risk of fractures
what are some symptoms of osteoporosis?
- loss in height
- abnormal curvature of the spine
- hip fracture
define osteomalacia
- it occurs in young children
- it is also known as rickets
what are some symptoms of osteomalacia?
- bowing of the legs
- stunted growth
what is the toxicity for calcium?
- calcium toxicity which leads to the formation of kidney stones and kidney damage, preventing the absorption of other minerals
- skin disorders
what are the functions of potassium?
- works with sodium to regulate the movement of fluids and minerals into and out of our body cells
- essential for muscle development and nerve functions
what are some sources of potassium?
- milk and other dairy products
- fruits
- whole-grain products
- vegetables
- seafood
what is the deficiency disease associated with potassium?
-individuals with kidney diseases are prone to potassium deficiency
what are some symptoms of potassium deficiency?
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- muscle weakness
what is the toxicity of potassium?
- individuals with kidney problems will not be able to excrete excess potassium
- this leads to high levels of potassium in the body which can ultimately lead to a heart attack
- kidney failure
what are the functions of phosphorus?
- works with vitamin D and calcium to build and maintain strong bones and teeth
- required for the conversion of carbohydrates and fats into energy
- required for the regulation of fluids in the body
what are some sources of phosphorus?
- vegetable oils
- nuts
- whole grain products
- egg yolk
- dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt
- liver
what is the deficiency disease associated with phosphorus?
- bone loss
- stunted growth
- poor dental health
who gets toxicity of phosphorus?
- occurs in people with kidney diseases
- people who take excessive vitamin D supplements
what are some symptoms of phosphorus toxicity?
- spasms
- convulsions
what are some functions of sodium chloride?
- chloride is required for the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
- sodium is needed for the transmission of nerve signals to control muscles
- both sodium and chloride are needed for the results ion of fluid in our body to maintain blood pressure
what are some sources of sodium chloride?
- table salt
- processed food such as salted eggs,salted fish and canned food
- seasonings such as soya sauce, ketchup and chilli sauce
what is the deficiency disease associated with sodium chloride?
- painful muscle cramps
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
what is the toxicity of sodium chloride?
-bloating and swelling of body tissues due to water retention in our body
calcium loss in urine
-hypertension
what is hypertension?
high blood pressure
what are some symptoms of hypertension?
- tightness in chest
- blur vision
- severe headache
what are the trace minerals?
iron and iodine
what are the functions of iron?
- essential for the formation of haemoglobin and myoglobin
- required for cellular respiration
what is cellular respiration?
the breakdown of carbohydrates to release energy into cells
what are some sources of iron?
- red meat
- liver
- cereals
- egg yolk
- dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale
what is the deficiency disease associated with iron?
- anaemia
- abnormal heavy and continuous bleeding
- immune system deficiency
what is anaemia?
a condition whereby insufficient oxygen is transported around the body
what are some symptoms of anaemia?
- fatigue/feeling tired all the time
- weakness
- poor memory
- poor learning ability
- giddiness/dizziness when standing up
what are the functions of iodine?
- essential for the production of thyroxine (hormone) which controls the rate of metabolism in our body
- promotes the general growth and development of our body so that the body can carry out its processes effectively
what are some sources of iodine
- seafood
- seaweed
- iodized salt
what is the deficiency disease associated with iodine?
goitre
what is goitre?
the swelling of the thyroid gland
what are some symptoms of goitre?
- physical and mental processes
- weight gain
- lethargy
- swelling of the thyroid gland at neck
- feels tired easily
what is the toxicity of iodine?
goitre
what does the thyroid do?
controls metabolism
what is the interaction between dietary fibre and minerals?
- high fibre diets can decrease the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium and other minerals
- when fibre intake exceeds the recommended amount of 20-35g per day, it can cause the mineral status in the body to be lowered
what is the interaction between minerals?
- many minerals have similar sizes and charges
- this causes the minerals to compete with each other for absorption
- taking individual mineral supplements should be avoided because an excess of one mineral influences the absorption and metabolism of other minerals
