Minerals and supplements Flashcards
minerals
inorganic elements needed for metabolic processes
what percent of an animal’s total body weight comprises of mineral matter?
~4%
a general classification scheme divides minerals into what two groups?
macrominerals and microminerals
what is a macromineral?
a type of mineral that makes up most of the body’s mineral content and are found in large amounts in the body
what is a micromineral?
a type of mineral that is found in small amounts in the body and are required in the diet
what are some examples of functions of minerals in the body?
they activate enzyme reactions, provide skeletal support, play a role in nerve transmissions and muscle contractions, help maintain water and electrolyte balance, and are a component of some transport hormones and proteins
what is a nutraceutical and its associated benefits?
it is a dietary supplement that is used for specific therapeutic effects
what conditions need to be evaluated prior to prescribing a supplement to a patient?
the reason for using the supplement, the data supporting its use, and its source
supplement
a substance that is orally consumed with or without food and has a specific benefit to the animal
who regulates drugs?
FDA
who helps regulate supplements?
NASC
what is the difference between a drug and a supplement?
a drug is used to diagnose or treat a disease but a supplement is used to provide a nutrient that isn’t included in the pet’s current diet
calcium
metabolism and homeostatic mechanism that control levels in body are closely interrelated with phosphorus
99% in bone, 1% in fluids
phosphorus
component of bone
85% in bones and teeth while remaining is in soft tissue
calcium functions
provides structural integrity to skeleton and contributes to maintenance of blood calcium levels through ongoing resorption and deposition
circulating calcium has roles in nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, activation of enzymes, maintenance of cell membrane permeability and transport, and cardiac function
calcium phosphorus compound in bone
hydroxyapatite
phosphorus functions
in bone: lends structural support, released into bloodstream in response to homeostatic mechanisms
in soft tissue: involved in almost all of body’s metabolic processes
magnesium
60-70% exists as the form of phosphorus and carbonates in bone, remaining is in cells
excess magnesium in cats has been implicated as a risk factor for struvite urolithiasis
magnesium functions
cation in intracellular fluid
essential for cellular metabolism of carbs and protein
needed for protein synthesis, plays a role in muscle contractions and proper nerve transmission
sulfur
largest proportion of sulfur found within proteins as a component of the sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine
sulfur functions
helps transport amino acids across cell membranes
iron
largest proportion found as a component of the protein molecules hemoglobin (<65%) and myoglobin (~4%)
iron absorption
increased efficiency of iron absorption: low stores of iron in the body and increased metabolic need
factors that inhibit iron absorption: presence of phytate, phosphates, and oxalates
copper
necessary for normal absorption and transport of dietary iron and essential for the formation of hemoglobin and for normal osteoblast activity during skeletal development
highest concentration found in liver
zinc
widely distributed in body tissues
actions influence carbs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acid metabolism
also a cofactor in synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein
essential for normal cellular immunity and reproductive functioning
zinc deficiences
usually associated with growth deficiencies in young animals
first clinical signs are usually skin and hair coat changes
manganese
is a component of several cell enzymes that catalyze metabolic reactions
large proportion located in mitochondria
necessary for bone development and reproduction
iodine
required for synthesis of hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine
thyroxine stimulates cellular oxidative processes and regulates basal metabolic rate
selenium
protects cell membranes from oxidative damage
can be toxic if excess amounts ingested
cobalt
a constituent of vitamin B-12
no function identified
chromium
a component of the organic complex known as glucose tolerance factor which enhances the action of insulin
has positive effects of supplemental chromium on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and immune responsiveness
potassium
electrolyte
main cation in intracellular space
required for numerous enzymatic reactions, transmission of nerve impulses, and contraction of muscle fibers
sodium
electrolyte
major cation found in extracellular fluid
helps maintain normal irritability of nerve cells and contractility of muscle fibers
food
articles used for food or drink for man or animals
drug
an article intended for the use in diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals and articles intended to affect the structure or any function in the body
nutraceutical
portmanteau of nutrition and pharmaceutical applied to dietary supplements intended for specified therapeutic effects
AAFCO
association of american feed control officials
independent organization that has been guiding state, federal, and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and lab standards, while supporting health and safety of people and animals
CVS
center for veterinary medicine
part of the FDA responsible for interstate regulation of animal food and drugs
NASC
national animal supplement council
a trade organization comprising manufactures of dietary supplements for companion animals and associated industries
FFDCA
federal food, drug, and cosmetic act
a law brought cosmetics and medical devices under control, and it required drugs be labeled with adequate directions for safe use
DSHEA
dietary supplement health and education act
enacted in 1994
goals: ensure continued consumer access to a wide variety of dietary supplements and to provide consumers with more information about the intended use of dietary supplements
