Minerals Flashcards
Name five factors that influence mineral absorption.
- Redox state
- Intraluminal pH
- Formation of chelates
- Formation of insoluble complexes
- Protein-mineral complexes must be digested
What is the bioavailability of iron from food? What is done with the absorbed iron?
15%, it is used in RBCs
How much iron is lost per day from normal metabolic processes?
1-2 mg/day
Which is most bioavailable: Heme or non-heme iron?
Heme (15-35%)
Non-heme is 5-15%
What are the food sources of heme and non-heme iron, respectively?
Heme: Meat
Non-heme: plants (grains, fortified grains), nuts, fruits, veggies.
Can iron be actively excreted?
Nope
Compare heme iron absorption vs. non-heme iron absorption.
Heme iron can diffuse through the heme transporter (heme carrier protein 1) in intestinal mucosal cells, then is incorporated into mucosal ferritin in the cell. After that, it can go to the blood through Ferroportin 1. On the blood side it is oxidized by Hephaestin to Fe3+ so it can bind to plasma transferrin to go to the liver and bone marrow.
Non-heme iron must first be reduced with either duodenal Cytochrome B in the mucosal brush border, or is naturally reduced in acid. Fe2+ then gets into the cell through DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1). The rest of the steps are the same after that.
Hephaestin is ________ dependent.
Copper
Name two ways in which iron absorption is regulated.
- Upregulation of duodenal cytochrome B and DMT1 (non-heme).
- Hepcidin regulation of iron release from cells.
In which organ is hepcidin made? Does hepcidin increase or decrease iron release from cells?
Made in liver. Hepcidin BLOCKS release from cells (so it is made when iron levels are adequate)
What is the mechanism of hepcidin?
When it binds to cells Ferroportin transporters are internalized and degraded.
Name the host factors that affect iron absorption. Which one is most important.
- Iron status (hepcidin levels) - most important
- GI pH
- Inflammation (from sepsis, RA, etc.) upregulates hepcidin
- Absorptive capability (eg. Celiac, Chron’s etc.)
How do phytates affect mineral absorption?
They chelate to minerals and prevent absorption.
Does alcohol help absorb iron?
Yeah, by inhibiting hepcidin.
Which amino acid can form a complex with iron that allows for its absorption?
Cysteine