Minerals

Question 1

what is the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of iron for male vs female adults?

Answer 1

males (19-30): 8mg/day
females (19-30): 18mg/day

Question 2

which vitamin plays a key role in non-heme iron bioavailability?

Answer 2

vitamin C

also citric acid and lactic acid

Question 3

Plummer-Vinson syndrome

Answer 3

triad of esophageal webs + glossitis + iron deficiency anemia

all due to iron deficiency

Question 4

hereditary hemochromatosis

Answer 4

AR mutation in HFE gene —> increased iron absorption, iron toxicity

—> liver cirrhosis, “bronze diabetes” (ROS damage to pancreas), cancer risk, sexual dysfunction, arthritis

Question 5

what are some dietary sources of copper? (name a few)

Answer 5

oysters, kale, mushrooms, sesame seeds, cashews, chickpeas, chocolate, avocados, goat cheese

Question 6

how is copper absorbed in the GI tract?

Answer 6

copper absorbed from duodenum (proximal GI tract)

ingested as oxidized form (Cu2+) but must be reduced to be transported across apical membrane of enterocytes

Question 7

what type of environment increases the bioavailability of cooper absorption in the GI tract?

Answer 7

acidic environment

Question 8

what 2 carrier proteins are responsible for transporting copper? to what is copper bound within cells?

Answer 8

1. albumin - enteric circulation to tissue
2. ceruloplasmin - liver to tissue (copper is stored in liver)

within cells, copper is bound to protein metallothionein

Question 9

what is copper used for? (3)

Answer 9

1. collagen formation (lysyl oxidase)
2. superoxide dismutase cofactor (ROS —> hydrogen peroxide)
3. monoamine oxidase cofactor (inactivation of neurotransmitters)

Question 10

Menke’s disease

Answer 10

XLR mutation in ATP7A needed to transport copper across cell membranes —> copper deficiency

symptoms: wiry silver hair, poor growth, hypotonia

Question 11

Wilson’s disease

Answer 11

AR mutation in ATP7B required for copper transport in the bile and incorporation into ceruloplasmin —> copper toxicity

copper accumulates in basal ganglia —> Parkinsonism, psychosis, Kayser-Fleischer rings in cornea

[can treat with zinc - interferes with copper bioavailability]

Question 12

what are some dietary sources of zinc?

Answer 12

shellfish, cashews, garbanzo beans, yogurt, meat

Question 13

what are 3 lifestyle habits that increase zinc LOSS?

Answer 13

1. alcoholism
2. lactating
3. heavy smoking

Question 14

AR mutation in zinc membrane transporter protein within enterocytes in the duodenum/jejunum, resulting in peri-orificial and peri-anal dermatitis + alopecia + diarrhea

Answer 14

acrodermatitis enteropathica —> zinc deficiency

Question 15

where does selenium come from?

Answer 15

seafood, meat, grain, brazil nuts

{depends on the selenium content in the soil}

Question 16

what is the storage vs active form of selenium?

Answer 16

storage: selenomethionine (liver, pancreas, muscles, kidneys, thyroid)

active: selenocysteine

Question 17

selenium is essential for… (3)

Answer 17

1. antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, etc)
2. thyroid function
3. immune function

Question 18

Keshan disease

Answer 18

due to selenium deficiency

dilated cardiomyopathy + loss of appetite (anorexia) + nausea

Question 19

what are the symptoms of iodine deficiency seen in babies? in adults?

Answer 19

babies - bloated bellies, pale, umbilical hernia, protuberant tongue, impaired brain development

adults - goiter, hypothyroidism

Question 20

where does chromium come from, and what is it used for?

Answer 20

egg yolks, whole grains, nuts, mushrooms

enhances insulin action (deficiency causes high blood glucose after meals)

Question 21

where does cobalt come from and what is it used for?

Answer 21

animal food containing vitamin B12, functions as constituent of vitamin B12

deficiency presents the same as B12 deficiency