Minerals Flashcards
What are minerals?
Naturally occurring inorganic molecules that are essential in the body from normal growth and body functions
What process are minerals involved in?
Formation of bones
Enzyme reactions
Transportation of oxygen to maintain the fluid balance within the body
Why are macro-minerals required by the body?
-Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance within the body
-Nerve impulse conduction
-Muscle contractions
-Providing cells and tissues with structure
-100mg or more required daily
What is Calcium’s role in the body?
-develops and maintains healthy bones and teeth
-plays vital role in many systems
=metabolic processes
=transports information via nervous system
=control of muscle contraction
Where is calcium retained?
In bones
Combines with phosphorus to give bone solidity
What does an excess of calcium lead to?
-increased urination and thirst
-kidney disease
-lack of appetite
-vomiting
-decreased gastrointestinal function
What does a deficiency in calcium lead to?
-muscle twitching and trembling
-stiff gait
-panting
-face rubbing against objects
-vomiting
-in young animals heart irregularities and poor bone growth
What are sources of calcium?
Fish
Egg
Dairy
Whole grains
Green leafy veg
Where is phosphorus found in the body?
In the bones
Aids in giving Skelton its rigidity
What are the functions of phosphorus?
-filters waste from the kidney
-maintains acid-base and balance and osmotic pressure
-energy utilisation and transfer
-protein synthesis, transport of fatty acids and amino exchange
-appetite control, efficiency of food utilisation
-growth and cell differentiation
What does excess of phosphorus lead to?
-disruption in electrolytes
-includes tremors and muscle spasms
What does a deficiency in phosphorus lead to?
-slow growth rate and lethargy
-loss of weight
-pain in bones and muscles
-muscle weakness
-respiratory and cardiac problems
What are sources of phosphorus?
Oats
Bran
Raw meat
Fish
Eggs
Dairy
Dried fruit
What is the function of potassium?
-maintains fluid balance in the body
-imprint for normal, regular heart / muscle / nerve functions as well as enzyme function
What does an excess of potassium lead to?
-rare but can result in potassium toxicity
-result of addisons disease
-symptom include arrhythmia, weakness and collapse
What does a deficiency in potassium lead to?
-chronic vomiting
-kidney disease
-burns
-can cause cardiac arrest, weakness, loss of appetite, nervous disorders and poor growth
What are sources of potassium?
Apple cider vinegar
Seaweed
Banana
Parsley
What are the functions of sodium?
-maintains fluid balance in the body
-regulation of pH
-keeps blood volume and pressure at a normal, healthy level by gather/holding water
-entry and exit of water into and out of cells
-sends nervous impulses and maintains electrolyte balance
-vital for normal nerve transmission, muscle function, normal contraction of heart
What does an excess of sodium lead to?
-caused by dehydration or overheating
-excessive thirst and urination
-weak
-sleepy
-confused and disoriented
-twitching or muscle trembling
-high blood pressure
What does deficiency in sodium lead to?
-leathery
-weakness
-confusion
-nausea
-vomiting
-degradation
-seizures
What are sources of sodium?
Celery
Rock salt
Seaweed
Watermelon
Asparagus
Fish
What are the functions of magnesium?
-Muscle contraction
-Nerve transmission
What does an excess of magnesium lead to?
-digestive issues
-lethargy
-irregular heart beat
What does a deficiency in magnesium lead to?
-numbness or tingling
-muscle cramps
-seizures
-personality changes
-abnormal heart rhythms
What are sources of magnesium?
Green leafy veg
Nuts
Seeds
Whole grains
Seaweed
What are the 6 macro-minerals?
-calcium
-phosphorus
-potassium
-sodium
-chloride
-magnesium
Why are micro-minerals required?
-regulate the uptake of their minerals in the diet
-are usually found as part of any enzyme
-only required by body in trace amounts
What is copper required for?
-formation of collagen, bone and connective tissue
-skin and hair pigmentation
-absorption of iron
-maturing of red blood cells
What does an excess in copper lead to?
-copper toxicity
-causing hepatitis, signs include weight loss, jaundice and lethargy
What does a deficiency in copper lead to?
-rare
-anaemia
-fatigue
-nerve damage
-weight loss
What are sources of copper?
Liver
Fish
Green veg
Seeds and nuts
What are the functions of iron?
-blood production = synthesis of haemoglobin which carries oxygen from lungs to rest of body tissues
-component in number of proteins essential for respiratory and energy metabolism
-required for proper immune system to function
What does an excess of iron lead to?
-vomiting
-liver problems
-GI haemorrhage
-heart failure
What does a deficiency in iron lead to?
-anaemia
-decreased growth rate
-anorexia
-weakness
What are sources of iron?
-red meat
-poultry
-eggs
-fish
What are the functions of iodine?
-major constituent of thyroxine which is a hormone produced in thyroid gland
-controls growth in young animals and rate of metabolism is adults
What does an excess of iodine lead to?
-iodine toxicity
(bone abnormalities and changes to hair or skin)
What does a deficiency in iodine lead to?
-rare
-growth and fertility problems
What are sources of iodine?
-fish
-dairy
-eggs
What are the functions of zinc?
-required for immune system to function correctly, helps to strengthen it
-plays role in cell division and growth, and wound healing
-breaks down carbohydrates
-required for senses like smell and taste
What does an excess in zinc lead to?
-weak bones
-anaemia
-vomiting
-lethargy
-diarrhoea
-increased breathing rate
-hair loss
What does a deficiency in zinc lead to?
-rare
-hair loss
-poor growth
-lethargy
What are sources of zinc?
-raw meat
-fish
What are the 6 micro-minerals?
-copper
-iron
-manganese
-selenium
-iodine
-zinc
