Minerals Flashcards
Minerals
elements on periodic table
can’t be made by living organisms but organisms need them
estimated 5% of bw is minerals- most in bones
Mineral processes
digestion, energy production, detoxification, healing wounds, muscle contraction/relaxation, blood cell formation, balancing blood pH, balancing electrolytes, cell permeability, transmission of nerve impulses, hormone production, immunity
Macromineral
when human body needs more than 100mg a day
Micromineral
if body needs less than 100mg a day
trace mineral
ultratrace = less than one mg per g of bw
mineral balance
balance of minerals is more important than the levels of any one mineral
Macromineral types
sodium, potassium, phosphorous, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur
Sodium
electrolyte needed to regulate fluid balance in the body
transmit nerve impulses and contract muscles
most in extracellular fluid, some is in the bones, and a little is inside the cells
loss of sodium, water loss will follow, and where there is excessive sodium in the body, water retention will follow
sodium deficiency
headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and disorientation, hyponatremia
sodium excess
hypertension, water retention
sodium foods
artichokes, cardoon, beets, celery, and sea vegetables
some- guava, passionfruit
potassium
electrolyte which works closely with sodium
fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction, including that of the heart
energy metabolism, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and converting glucose to glycogen for storage in the liver
sodium & potassium
ration of 1:2 sodium to potassium
hypertension/cardio disease = 1:5 or 1:10
potassium deficiency
weakness,
fatigue, and irregular heartbeat, hypokalemia
potassium toxicity
weakness,
fatigue, and irregular heartbeat, hyperkalemia
potassium foods
avocados, guavas, bananas, passion fruit, and kiwi fruit
leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. Nuts, seeds, and whole gra
chloride
electrolytes in fluid balance, pH balance, and nerve transmission
component of hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for digestion
chloride toxicity
none known
chloride deficiency
irregular heartbeats and can also lead to acid-alkaline imbalances, usually resulting from fluid loss associated with diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive perspiration
chloride foods
table salt, sea vegetables, celery, tomatoes, olives, and romaine lettuce
phosphorous
fluid balance, bone formation, and the production of adenine triphosphate (ADP)
part of every cell in our body, yet the bulk of it is found in our bones and teeth.
calcium & phosphorous
calcium and phosphorus is between 1:1 and 2:1
A diet high in animal products and soda can lead to an imbalance between phosphorus and calcium
Excess phosphorus reduces calcium absorption, which relates to a host of problems associated with calcium deficiency
phosphorous foods
processed foods, dairy, seeds, nuts, legumes, seafood, and poultry
calcium
most abundant element in our bodies
40% of bone weight
some in teeth, rest in blood and tissues
regulating the pH of our blood and is an integral part of nerve transmission and muscle contraction
calcium & others
D helps calcium get absorbed into bones
hormones & K help deposit of calcium into bones
any excesses of Mg or Ph or calcium will affect amount of other than can be absorbed
calcium deficiency
caffeine, diuretics deplete through kidneys
lack of physical activity, too much phosphorous and protein, D deficiency
osteopenia, osteoporosis, convulsions, and heart failure- mostly post-menopausal women and the elderly.
calcium foods
dairy- but buffers stomach acid and decreases mineral absorption
broccoli, gran leafy veggies, sea veggies
soak legumes and grains to avoid acids that decrease absorption
sulfur
synthesis of several B vitamins and amino acids
pH buffer and helping to detoxify the body
“beauty mineral”
sulfur in the cells, as well as in the skin, nails, and hair since it is a part of collagen and keratin. It is also part of what comprises some enzymes and plays a role in protein synthesis
sulfur foods
eggs, dairy, meat, fish, and legumes. Cruciferous vegetables also contain them, as well as onions and garlic
magnesium
necessary for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.
carbohydrate and protein metabolism
anti-stress mineral, it has been found to be helpful with insomnia, PMS, and anxiety related disorders.
calcium & Mg
recommended ratio of calcium to magnesium is about 2:1.
Magnesium storage
60% of magnesium in our bodies is stored in our bones and teeth, and the other 40% is in soft tissue, primarily muscles and organs.
Magnesium foods
leafy greens, as it is the central molecule in chlorophyll. Whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds also have magnesium. Animal products are a poor source of magnesium.
Trace minerals
zinc, iron, manganese, copper, silicon, chromium, cobalt, iodine, molybdenum, selenium