Minerals (C) Flashcards
Minerals represent what percent of total body weight?
5-6%
How are minerals obtained?
By eating plants grown in mineral-rich soil or animals that have eaten them
What form do most minerals occur as?
Water soluble salts
What is classified as a major mineral?
> 100mg RDI
What do minerals break into as they dissolve?
Ions
Minerals are inorganic, meaning what?
They do not contain a carbon atom
The TULs for minerals should not be what?
Habitually exceeded
What are some possible side effects of mineral excess?
Toxicity, deficiency of another mineral, hair loss, hormonal upsets
What is the most prominent mineral in the body?
Calcium
For a 154lb person, how many pounds are calcium?
4lbs
What ratio of calcium is in the bones compared to the blood?
99% in bones, 1% in blood
What is the function of calcium?
Gives bones hardness; enables normal nerve and muscle action, blood clotting, heart function, and cell metabolism
What happens if intake of calcium is poor?
The parathyroid glands release a hormone for the kidneys to retrieve calcium before it is excreted. Then, the active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, tells osteoclasts to retrieve calcium from bones
Osteoblasts increase bone mass when calcium is high in the blood until what age?
30
Why do bones weaken after menopause?
Decreased estrogen
What is the best way to determine bone density?
DEXA scan
How much calcium is in 1 cup of milk?
300mg
How much calcium is in 1 oz of cheddar?
250mg
What, besides dairy, is also a good source of calcium?
Dark leafy greens, unless they contain oxalic acid (ie spinach and Swiss chard)
Fiber should not exceed 35g because what compound binds to calcium and reduces absorption?
Phytates
What proportion of phosphorus to calcium promotes bone health?
No more phosphorus than calcium
Which form of calcium is the most bioavailable, and in what dose?
Calcium carbonate antacid tablets in 500mg
Why should calcium supplements derived from bonemeal be avoided?
They may contain lead
Insufficient blood calcium can cause what?
Tetany
Excessive amounts of calcium may inhibit the absorption of what other minerals?
Iron and zinc (also causes constipation)
Calcium and phosphorus are better absorbed in the presence of what vitamin?
Vitamin D
What is the function of phosphorus?
Cell constituent, maintains strong bones, metabolizes macronutrients, acts on B vitamins, and maintains acid-base balance
What are the best sources of phosphorus?
Widely distributed, but protein foods and soda
Phosphorus deficiency is rare but may be caused by what?
Excess of antacids (decrease absorption)
What are the symptoms of phosphorus deficiency?
Bone demineralization, fatigue, and anorexia
Phosphorus and calcium requirements are given in AIs, not DRIs, for which age group?
1 year and under
The RDI for calcium is highest in what age group?
9-18 (1,300mg)
Potassium is the primary constituent of what type of cell fluid?
ICF (intra cellular fluid)
What are the functions of potassium?
Essential for osmosis, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions
If sodium inside the cell decreases, fluid enters the cell to dilute potassium, causing what side effects?
Decreased ECF, increased blood pressure, dehydration
What are some good sources of potassium?
Melons, oranges, peaches, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, lima beans, carrots
What causes of hypokalemia?
Fluid loss, malnutrition, laxatives or diuretics
What are the symptoms of hypokalemia?
Nausea, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, tachycardia
What causes hyperkalemia?
Excessive intake, dehydration, and renal failure
What can hyperkalemia cause?
Heart failure
What are the primary functions of sodium?
Controls fluid and acid-base balance as well as nerve impulses
Sodium chloride is what percent sodium?
40%
1 tsp of sodium chloride contains how many mg of sodium?
2,000 mg
What foods is sodium available in?
Animal foods, softened water; added commercially to foods for flavor and to control growth of microorganisms
What percent of sodium comes from processed and restaurant foods?
77%