Minerals

Question 1

What are macrominerals?

Answer 1

‘major’ minerals required by the body in amounts of 100mg or more per day

maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance within the body,nerve impulse conduction,muscle contractions and providing cells and tissues with structure.

Question 2

What are microminerals

Answer 2

required by the body in trace amounts (very small amounts) per day(<0.01%)

Acting at a cellular level they regulate many functions in the body including the uptake of other minerals in the diet and are usually found as part of any enzyme.

Question 3

3 examples of macrominerals

Answer 3

Phosphorus (P)

Potassium (K)

Sodium (Na)

Question 4

3 examples of microminerals?

Answer 4

Iodine (I)

Zinc (Zn)

Iron (Fe)

Question 5

Potassium - What the mineral does in the body?

Answer 5

Potassium is needed to maintain fluid balance in the body (acids and bases).

It’s really important for normal, regular heart, muscle and nerve functions as well as enzyme function

Question 6

Potassium - Deficiencies – what can this cause? (3)
How does it occur? (3)

Answer 6

Cardiac arrest
Weakness,
Loss of appetite,
Nervous disorders
Poor growth

Potassium deficiency occurs due to - chronic vomiting, kidney disease, burns and other illnesses.

Question 7

Potassium - Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 7

Potassium toxicity.
Occurs due to Addison’s disease where the adrenal gland doesn’t produce enough of the hormone that regulates potassium. Symptoms include arrhythmia, weakness and collapse.

Question 8

Potassium - food sources

Answer 8

Apple cider vinegar, seaweed, banana, green leafy vegetables, parsley

Question 9

Calcium - What the mineral does in the body?

Answer 9

Mineral needed alongside vitamin D to develop and maintain healthy bones and teeth.

Plays a vital role in many systems including metabolic processes, transporting information via the nervous system, control of muscle contraction – including heart rhythm and blood clotting

Question 10

Calcium - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

Answer 10

Hypocalcaemia
Heart irregularities, young animals - poor bone growth and dental development.

Identified in low bone density because bone acts as a reservoir in times of need

Insufficient calcium in bones can result from an inadequate supply of vitamin D which is essential for the absorption of calcium

Question 11

Calcium - Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 11

Excess (Hypercalcemia): Increased urination & thirst, Kidney disease - lack of appetite (anorexia), Vomiting and Decreased gastrointestinal function, urolith formation

Question 12

Calcium - food sources

Answer 12

Green leafy vegetables, fish, egg/shell, dairy products, wholegrains

Question 13

Phosphorus - What the mineral does in the body?

Answer 13

Aids skeletal rigidy with calcium, Filters waste from kidney; Energy utilisation and transfer, Maintains osmotic pressure

Question 14

Phosphorus - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

Answer 14

Hypophosphatemia.
Slow rate of growth in young animals, Lethargy, Loss of weight, Muscle weakness

Question 15

Phosphorus- Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 15

Hyperphosphatemia - disruption in electrolytes.
urolithiasis
Muscular spasms
Tremors

Question 16

Phosphorus food sources

Answer 16

Oats, bran, black sunflower seeds, raw meat, fish, eggs, dairy, dried fruit

Question 17

Sodium - What the mineral does in the body? 4

Answer 17

Main component of extracellular fluid
Maintains fluid balance in the body /regulation of pH.
Nervous impulses and maintaining electrolyte balance in the body.
Muscle function - ie heart contraction

Question 18

Sodium - Deficiencies – what can this cause? (4)
What is it called ? (1)

Answer 18

Low sodium is called hyponatremia

Lethargy
Weakness
Nausea/vomiting
Dullness
Dehydration
Confusion
Seizures

Question 19

Sodium- Excess - what can this cause? (4)
What is this called?

Answer 19

Hypernatremia and can be caused by dehydration or overheating

Increased thirst and water consumption
Excessive thirst and urination
Weakness and lethargy
Confused, disorientated
Muscle twiches and trembling
Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Question 20

Sodium - food sources

Answer 20

Kelp, celery, rock salt, seaweeds, watermelon, ocean fish, asparagus

Question 21

Magnesium - What the mineral does in the body? 3

Answer 21

Required for muscle contraction and neuromuscular function
Constituent of organelles such as the mitochondrion
Cofactor in enzymes involved in energy transport

Question 22

Magnesium Deficiencies – what can this cause? (4)

Answer 22

anorexia, numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, seizures, muscle spasticity, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms.

Question 23

Magnesium - Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 23

digestive issues, lethargy and an irregular heartbeat.

Urolith formation. In rare cases can be fatal.

Question 24

Magnesium - food sources (4)

Answer 24

Green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains seaweed, bran, dandelion, soybeans

Question 25

Copper - What the mineral does in the body? (4)

Answer 25

The formation of collagen, bone and connective tissue Skin and hair pigmentation Absorption of iron Maturing of red blood cells.

Question 26

Copper - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

Answer 26

Copper deficiency is also rare in dogs but when it does occur it can cause anaemia, fatigue, irritability, nerve damage, hair depigmentation and weight loss.

Question 27

Copper - Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 27

Excess copper can cause copper toxicity and how copper is stored can play a big part in toxicity. Copper toxicity is very rare but is caused by copper accumulating in the liver causing hepatitis, symptoms of this are weight loss, jaundice, lethargy and vomiting. Breeds most likely to be affected by this are; Bedlington terriers and West highland white terriers as it can be hereditary.

Question 28

Copper - food sources

Answer 28

liver, fish, green vegetables, seeds, nuts and lentils.

Question 29

Iron- What the mineral does in the body? 3

Answer 29

Synthesis of haemoglobin which carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body tissues. Component in proteins essential for respiration and energy metabolism. Immune system to function.

Question 30

Iron - Deficiencies – what can this cause? 3

Answer 30

Anaemia and anorexia Decreased growth weakness and lethargy.

Question 31

Iron - Excess - what can this cause? (4)

Answer 31

vomiting liver problems gastrointestinal haemorrhage heart failure

Question 32

Iron - food sources

Answer 32

red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, green vegetables.

Question 33

Iodine - What the mineral does in the body?

Answer 33

Major constituent of thyroxine which is a hormone produced in the thyroid gland. Thyroxin controls growth in young animals and the rate of metabolism in adults.

Question 34

Iodine - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

Answer 34

Iodine deficiency would be rare but would result in reduced thyroxin production and an enlargement of the thyroid gland. In young animals this would lead to growth & fertility problems/disorders and high mortality rates of young animals.

Question 35

Iodine - Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 35

An excess of iodine in the body is known as iodine toxicity. Symptoms include bone abnormalities changes to the skin and hair.

Question 36

Iodine- food sources

Answer 36

fish (cod and tuna mainly), dairy, eggs

Question 37

Zinc - What the mineral does in the body? (4)

Answer 37

Immune system function and strengthening Cell division and growth Role in wound healing Facilitates carbohydrate breakdown

Question 38

Zinc- Deficiencies – what can this cause?

Answer 38

RARE Hair loss Poor growth Lethargy Male dogs may loose the desire to breed Females may not come into heat Thickening of the footpads Zinc deficiency in pregnancy can lead to a still birth

Question 39

Zinc - Excess - what can this cause?

Answer 39

Reduces absoption of copper - weak bones and anaemia Vomiting Lethargy Diarrhoea Increased breathing rate (rapid) Hair loss

Question 40

Zinc - food sources

Answer 40

raw meat and fish

Question 41

What breeds are most likely rto be affected by copper toxicity? Why is this?

Answer 41

Bedlinton terriers and West highland white terriers as it can be hereditary