Minerals: Ni, Si, V

Question 1

True or False. Tissue concentrations of nickel decrease with age.

Answer 1

True.

Question 2

Nickel may be involved in the metabolism of which vitamin?
A. Vitamin B6
B. Vitamin B1
C. Folate & Vitamin B12

Answer 2

C. Folate & Vitamin B12

Question 3

Nickel is excreted mostly in...
A. Sweat
B. Urine
C. Stool
D. A & B

Answer 3

D. A & B, sweat and urine

Question 4

Chronic toxicity of nickel is usually due to ______________ and can
lead to respiratory disorders and cancer.
A. Exposure from water sources
B. Occupational exposure (inhalation)
C. Nickel toxicity is not common and in unknown for contributing to disease states

Answer 4

B. Occupational exposure (inhalation)

Question 5

True or False. Nickel is among the most common metal allergies among humans.

Answer 5

True. Nickel allergies are chronic and reoccurring problems, mostly among females. Leading to following a low-nickel diet.

Question 6

Are food sources of nickel are found mostly in plant or animal sources?

Answer 6

Plant!

Nuts legumes, grains and chocolate are all good sources of nickel.

Fruits and vegetables are intermediate sources.

Nickel may also be present in foods from cookware (stainless steel), canned
foods or pipes (can leach into the water).

Question 7

FUN FACT!! (Trying not to add too many questions, but still give the good info :))

Nickel can chelate many other metals, antagonizing iron absorption and decreasing the action of enzymes when it substitutes as a cofactor for enzymes that typically use iron, copper or zinc as a
cofactor.

Question 8

The main functions of silicon include:

a. coordinates with amino acids: histidine, glutamate, and aspartate
b. facilitate body’s use of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
c. formation/growth of bone, connective tissue, cartilage, collagen
d. essential co-factor for enzymes

Answer 8

c. formation/growth of bone, connective tissue, cartilage, collagen

Within the human body, silicon is concentrated in connective tissues (bone, skin, blood vessels, tendons)

Helps form the crosslinks of collagen, increases bone mineralization

Question 9

Food sources of silicon include:

a. colored vegetables, grapes, berries, spices, herbs, wine
b. Bananas, green beans, wheat bran, root vegetables, soybeans, beer
c. Organ meats, poultry, beef, dairy, eggs

Answer 9

b. Bananas, green beans, wheat bran, root vegetables, soybeans, beer

Silicon in beer comes from the hops & barley

Question 10

Silicon may be helpful in preventing and treating:

a. osteoporosis
b. atherosclerosis
c. rheumatoid arthritis
d. Parkinson’s disease
e. a & b
f. all of the above

Answer 10

e. a & b - osteoporosis and atherosclerosis

FUN FACT: Since Si deceases aluminum uptake, it’s been suggested that adding it to the water supply (in amounts to meet the adequate intake) may decrease Alzheimer’s disease

Question 11

True or false: silicon is the 2nd most abundant element on earth.

Answer 11

TRUE!

Question 12

Higher intakes of Si may cause ______ in the plasma to decrease (when supplementing with one, should supplement w/ the other as well).

a. boron
b. molybdenum
c. manganese
d. chromium

Answer 12

b. molybdenum

Also - Si compounds can interact w/ aluminum (decreasing aluminum absorption)

Question 13

Which of the following can occur from excess silicon? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:

a. kidney stone formation
b. lower glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity
c. fibrosis of the lungs

Answer 13

All of the above

Excess Si is rarely from diet, but rather from Si-containing antacids.

Inhalation of Inhalation of dust high in Si leads to progressive fibrosis of the lungs (silicosis)

Question 14

What of the below can be seen in silicon deficiency? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:

a. Smaller/less flexible long bones
b. Skull deformation
c. Lower calcium, copper, potassium and zinc in vertebra
d. Increased alkaline phosphatase activity

Answer 14

All of the above