Minerals: Mo, As, B Flashcards
FUN FACT!!
Molybdenum was discovered as a result of a genetic defect in an
enzyme that requires molybdenum as a cofactor. (The defect leads to severe pathology or death.)
There is approximately \_\_\_\_\_\_ of molybdenum in the body. A. 1mg B. 2mg C. 4mg D. 10mg
B. 2mg
Higher concentrations of molybdenum are found where in the body? A. Liver B. Bones C. Kidney D. All of the above
D. All of the above
It is found in higher concentrations in the liver, kidney and bones (and is also in the small intestine, lung, spleen, brain, thyroid, adrenal gland and
muscle).
Molybdenum is a component of a cofactor needed to support which enzymatic actions?
A. uric acid metabolism
B. metabolism of sulfur containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine)
C. A & B
D. None of the above
C. A & B
Xanthine oxidase (involved in uric acid metabolism) Aldehyde oxidase (catalyzes nucleotide breakdown to uric acid and has antioxidant action) Sulfite oxidase (for the metabolism of sulfur containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine)
True or False. Molybdenum absorption decreases with increased dietary intake.
False. Absorption increases with dietary intake.
Molybdenum is transported in the _______ as molybdate, and excreted through the _______.
A. Blood, urine
B. Blood, feces
A. Blood, urine
Molybdenum is transported in the blood as molybdate (bound to albumin and alpha2macroglobulin. Molybdenum is excreted in the urine (increased urinary excretion is seen with increased intake).
True or False. Sulfates may compete with molybdate for absorption.
True
True or False. Molybdenum deficiency is very common.
False.
A deficiency of molybdenum is rare. It can occur with patients on TPN without sufficient molybdenum and in those with sulfite oxidase deficiency and molybdenum cofactor deficiency (both inborn errors of metabolism).
Chronic molybdenum deficiency may be associated with reduced life expectancy, retarded weight gain and impaired reproduction.
Molybdenum toxicity is uncommon, yet due to the uric acid involvement as a required cofactor for these enzymatic actions, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ can occur. A. uric acid nephrolithiasis B. hypertension C. gout D. A & B
C. Gout
Gout can occur due to the accumulation of uric acid (resulting from increased xanthine dehydrogenase activity).
The RDA of molybdenum for infants ages ranging from 0-12 months is:
A. 1-2 mcg
B. 2-3 mcg
C. 4-5mcg
B. 2-3 mcg
Food sources of molybdenum are found mostly in:
A. Dairy, eggs, animal proteins
B. Legumes, meat, fish, poultry, grains
C. Leafy greens, nut/seeds, legumes
B. legumes, meat, fish, poultry, grains
Whole grains (much of it is lost in refining). It is lower in nuts, vegetables, fruit and dairy.
The RDA of molybdenum for ages 9-13 yo is:
A. 30mcg
B. 34mcg
C. 37mcg
B. 34 mcg
Molybdenum in the form tetrathiomolybdate limits \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ absorption. A. Iron B. Copper C. Zinc D. None of the above
B. Copper
Molybdenum in the form tetrathiomolybdate limits copper absorption (which is why it is used in the treatment of Wilson’ s disease).
Reminder: Wilson’s disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in your liver, brain and other vital organs.
True or False. Supplementation of silicon can lead to decreased molybdenum levels, so they are best supplemented together.
True.
The RDA of molybdenum for ages 1-8 yo ranges from: A. 10-12 mcg B. 13-15 mcg C. 17-22 mcg D. 19-23 mcg
C. 17-22mcg
The best way to test for molybdenum levels is:
A. Serum
B. Urine
C. None of the above
C. None of the above
There is no validated laboratory assessment for molybdenum at this time
The RDA for molybdenum for ages 14-18 yo is:
A. 43mcg
B. 45mcg
C. 51mcg
A. 43 mcg
Molybdenum may be helpful in treating some patients with ______ and _______.
A. gout, hypertension
B. asthma, chronic aches and pains
C. headaches, chronic fatigue
B. asthma, chronic aches and pains
The RDA for molybdenum for ages 19 and older are:
A. 45 mcg
B. 47mcg
C. 51mcg
A. 45 mcg
FUN FACT!!
Clinical Correlations for Molybdenum:
When molybdenum is low in the soil, plants cannot convert nitrates to amino acids, so they convert nitrates to nitrosamines, resulting in increased nitrosamine exposure for those consuming these plants. Adding
molybdenum to the soil may decrease the formation of nitrosamines and thus the risk of gastroesophageal cancer.
Low ________ exacerbates boron deficiency:
a. calcium
b. magnesium
c. iron
d. zinc
b. magnesium. Boron also increases magnesium absorption.
Boron is mostly found within in the body in:
a. bones & teeth
b. nails & hair
c. muscle & epithelial tissue
d. a & b
e. all of the above
a & b - bones, teeth, nails, hair. The body has 3-20mcg of boron.
Boron is highest in:
a. nuts, seeds and vegetables
b. fruits and grains
c. meat and poultry
d. dairy products
e. c & d
f. all of the above
a. Higher in seeds, nuts, vegetables than in fruits and grains (or any of the other categories)
Top boron-rich foods:
- Avocado
- Peanut butter + peanuts
- Raisins
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Prune juice
- Chocolate powder
- Red wine
“A diverse, plant-food rich diet is estimated to provide approx. 1.5-3mg/d of boron” (Pizzorno, 2015)
The main functions of boron in the body include:
a. growth and maintenance of bone
b. anti-inflammatory effects in response to injury (i.e wound healing)
c. increases absorption and retention of fat soluble vitamins
d. aids in detoxification processes
e. a & b
f. all of the above
e. a & b
Growth + maintenance of bone: can influence the composition, structure + strength of bone
Anti-inflammatory:
- Induces anti-inflammatory effects in response to injury
- Reduces inflammatory markers (high sensitivity CRP, TNF-alpha, etc.)
- Raises antioxidant enzyme levels
- Influences formation of SAMe, NAD+
- Improves wound healing
May also play a role in:
- stability and/or function of cell membranes (through modulation of cellular calcium uptake and hormonal receptor binding).
- hydroxylation reactions used to synthesize steroid hormones and vitamin D
Boron is mostly excreted via:
a. urine
b. stool
c. sweat
d. skin
a. urine (small amounts in feces or sweat)
Boron _____ serum HDL and _____ serum triglycerides:
a. decreases; increases
b. increases; decreases
c. decreases; decreases
d. increases; increases
a. decreases serum HDL and increases serum triglycerides
Boron deficiency can lead to:
a. Decreased cytokine, antibody + lymphocyte production
b. Changes in cognitive function (i.e. attention & memory, etc.)
c. Decreased superoxide dismutase activity in RBCs
d. Reduced bone mass
e. a-c
f. all of the above
e. a-c
Decreased cytokine, antibody + lymphocyte production
Changes in cognitive function (i.e. attention & memory, etc.)
Decreased superoxide dismutase activity in RBCs
Which of the following may boron be used for clinically? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:
a. Hormone modulation
b. Osteoarthritis
c. CVD
d. Insomnia
a and b - hormone modulation and osteoarthritis
Hormone modulation – bodybuilders use high doses (~10mg) to boost testosterone + practitioners may recommend it to naturally boost low testosterone in males (due to aging or other causes); Beneficially impacts the body’s use of estrogen, testosterone, Vit D
FUN FACT - May also be used in cancer prevention
- Since supp can increase estradiol + testosterone, its been suggested boron may increase risk of homone-dependent cancer – but since it also increases synthesis of cancer protective steroids (estriol, DHEA, etc.), seems to have little net negative effect
- However, a number of studies show its potential for preventing / treating cancer (more info in Pizzorno, 2015)
What is the standard dose of boron?
a. 1 mg
b. 2 mg
c. 3 mg
d. 4 mg
c. 3 mg
Consider supp. of 3mg/d for pts with:
- Diet lacking in
fruit + veg
- At risk or has: Osteopenia, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Breast, prostate of lung cancer (Pizzorno, 2015)
Chronic boron excess can lead to which of the below? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY
a. Nausea
b. loss of appetite
c. Anemia
d. Dermatitis
e. Seizures
All of the above
What is the recommended intake for boron?
a. 1 mg
b. 2 mg
c. 3 mg
d. 4 mg
e. no RDA/AI
e. no RDA/AI - Not considered essential so there is no RDA/AI, through intakes of 1-3mg/d* are thought to be beneficial
Which is the best biochemical indicator of recent boron intake?
a. urine
b. plasma
c. stool
d. saliva
a. urine
