Minerals

Question 1

Calcium

Answer 1

Macromineral
Important for:
Bone and tooth health, bone growth, muscle contraction and relaxation, blood clotting (coagulation), temperature regulation, cell membrane function, hormone secretion, enzyme regulation

Must be equal to or greater than the amount of phosphorus in the diet

Question 2

Phosphorus

Answer 2

Macromineral
Important for:
Buffer in chemical reactions (metabolism and energy reactions), cellular functions

In excess, will bind to calcium and prevent calcium from being absorbed

Question 3

Sodium Chloride

Answer 3

Macromineral (Salt, NaCl)
Important for:
Regulating body fluids/water metabolism, sweating, conducting electrical impulses in nerves and muscles (part of electrolyte balance), maintaining pH, bile and digestive-tract secretions,

Minimum .1-.3% sodium (.25-.75% salt) in the diet

Question 4

Magnesium

Answer 4

Macromineral
60% found in the skeleton
Important for:
Activating enzymes

Question 5

Potassium

Answer 5

Macromineral
Important for:
pH balance, osmotic pressure (water flowing in and out of cells), electrolyte balance (critical for neuromuscular excitability)

Only horses on a high grain diet are at risk of deficiency, most forages are high enough to supply it

Question 6

Sulfur

Answer 6

Macromineral
Important for:
Building amino acids, vitamins, and several other body components

Most dietary sulfur comes from amino acids

Question 7

Cobalt

Answer 7

Micromineral
Important for:
Vitamin B12 synthesis by hindgut bacteria

Question 8

Copper

Answer 8

Micromineral
Important for:
Red blood cells, healthy bone formation, absorption/utilization/transport of iron, synthesis of melanin

Stored in the liver, levels can be affected by excess zinc

Question 9

Iodine

Answer 9

Micromineral
Important for:
Thyroid hormones (is a component of them)

Stored in the thyroid gland, mammary gland while lactating,and placenta

Excess can cause toxicity

Question 10

Iron

Answer 10

Micromineral
Important for:
Oxygen transport/use, hemoglobin (60% of body’s iron is in hemoglobin)

Not usually needed as a supplement

Question 11

Manganese

Answer 11

Micromineral
Important for:
Carb/fat metabolism, growth and reproduction, synthesis of cartilage, antioxidant use

Excess stored in liver/kidneys and excreted as bile

Question 12

Selenium

Answer 12

Micromineral
Important for:
Antioxidant use (protects cell membranes from free radicals, essential antioxidant)

Should be balanced with Vitamin E
Can be harmful when deficient or excess

Question 13

Zinc

Answer 13

Micromineral
Important for:
Enzymes used for protein/carb metabolism, skin and hair, bone growth an ddevelopment