Minerals Flashcards
How many nutrients are essential to humans?
- (Minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, water and oxygen)
The quantities of minerals is the same in plant and animal based foods, but the bioavailability is higher in…?
Animal foods
What is defined as a macromineral?
If the requirement is 100 mg or more a day
What is defines as a micromineral?
If the requirement is less than 100 mg a day
Out of the 24 minerals, there are 4 in which deficiencies are prevalent for humans?
Which are these and why?
Iodine, iron, zinc and selenium.
Because of different diets, mainly due to differences in soil around the world.
What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency?
Brittle bones, excessive bleeding, stunned growth
What are the symptomps of phosphorus deficiency?
Bad bones and teeth, body weakness
Where in the body do you primarily find calcium?
99% bound in skeletal tissue
What are the functions of calcium?
- Structural unit of bones and teeth
- Contraction and relaxation of muscle
- Stabilizes nervous tissue
- Required for blood clotting
- Activates various enzymes
What are the two pathways for calcium absorption?
Active transcellular pathway (through cells)
Passive paracellular pathway (between epithelial cells)
Calcium absorption is inhibited by..?
And enhanced by..?
Inhibited by insoluble salts like oxalate and phytate.
Enhanced by vitamin D, lactose, acidic pH
Two compunds strongly inhibit the uptake of iron?
One compund increases?
Phytate and tanins inhibits.
Vitamin C increases.
Which state of iron is more bioavailable?
The reduced state, Fe2+, Ferrous (vitamin C reducerer Fe3+ til Fe2+)
Where and how is iron absorped?
In the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum).
By active transport after gatric HCl release.
How is excess iron eliminated?
There is no effective excretion.
Åreladning is needed, if intoxication happen
What is the function of transferrin?
To carry iron in the blood stream
