Minerals only lecture Dec 2017 Flashcards
What % of body weight do minerals represent as body weight in adults
4.5%
How much of that is Ca P and other macro and micro minerals
50% Ca (90% of this found in bones)
25% P ( 70% of this found in bones)
25% others
Name the other macrominerals
Mg, Na, K Cl and S
Name the other microminerals
Name two of the ultratrace minerals
Fe, Zn, I, Se, Mn, F, Mo (molybdenum) Cu, Cr, Co and B
Al (aluminium) Ni (nickel)
Which mineral is the most abundant in the body
Ca
Food containing calcium has little affect on serum Ca levels so how are Ca levels maintained
Bone tissue is the reserve site for Ca maintaining muscle, intercellular fluid and blood
Approx 99% of Ca is in the bones and teeth to support function and structure
How is Ca absorbed and used
Body imports Ca into the enterocytes, facilitates across cell membrane and sends out into extracellular fluid and blood. Ca then enters the epithelial cells in the intestine via TRP channels , and pumped out via Calcium-ATPase
Dairy has always been seen as a good calcium source for protecting the bones. Is this actually true
There is evidence that dairy does not reduce fracture risk - countries with high fracture rates are regularly consuming dairy. Most important factor is exercise to protect bone health
What other functions is Ca particularly important in
Nerve transmission
Ca regulates heart muscle and smooth muscle contractability
What are some good food sources of Ca
Milk and dairy are most concentrated sources
All foods of Veg origin contain Ca and although not as concentrated as that in dairy, it is often more bioavailable
Dark leafy greens
Kale, collard, broccoli, sprouts,
Soybeans, dried figs
Ca fortified orange juice
Small bones in sardines, salmon
What is the RDA (PRI) for Ca in an adult
What is the supp range
950mg
1000-2500mg
What % of ingested Ca is usually absorbed
about 30% average
By what methods is Ca absorbed and what other very important Vitamin is associated with absorption
Active and passive transport
1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D takes part in the ACTIVE absorption of Ca
Vit D stimulates the production of calcium binding proteins called calbindins (when intakes of Ca are low)
PASSIVE absorption takes place without Vit D (when there is a lot of Ca being consumed , eg, dairy foods
What main factors can affect the bioavailabilty of Ca
The greater the need and/or the smaller the dietary supply, the more efficient the absorption
Pregnancy
lactation
Resistance training (leads to higher bone density)
What affect does low Vit D intake and/or inadequate sunlight exposure have on Ca absorption
Low levels of Vit D reduce Ca absorption esp in elderly
In what form is Ca absorbed and what other factors influence absorption
Ca only absorbed in its ionic form - an acidic medium increases its absorption
HCI secreted by stomach lowers pH of duodenum, increasing absorption, therefore taking Ca supps with meals increases absorption
What affect does aging have on gastric acid secretion and thus, Ca absorption
Achlorhydria (lack of gastric acid) is coming with ageing = reduced Ca absorption
What else can increase absorption
What else can decrease Ca absorption
Lactose (sugar in milk) but only sig in infants
Oxalic acid found in rhubarb, spinach, chard, can decrease Ca absorption (Ca oxalate)
Phytic acid (phytate) found in outer husks of grains forms Ca phytate - cannot be absorbed
Dietary fiber may decrease absorption in higher meals
Medications
Fat malabsorption
After the onset of menopause, and the rapid loss of oestrogen, what happens to calcium levels
Rapid loss of oestrogen causes high bone resorption and therefore increased serum calcium levels and decreased intestinal absorption of Ca at that time
What is the typical % rate of bone loss per year in postmeno women who do not supplement Ca
2% per year
For optimal results, Vit D and avoidance of Ca wasting lifestyle factors should be recommended
What are the specific therapeutics for Ca
Foetal bone mineralisation for women with low Ca intake
PMS
Dyspepsia
High BP
What is the DASH diet and what does DASH stand for
DASH diet has been seen to lower BP
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension - high fruit, vegetable whole grains and beans with low meat intake and adequate Ca through plant foods and low fat dairy
Who may be suffering Ca insufficiency
Those who are lactose intolerant (no lactase - it is needed to break down dairy foods to glean Ca)
Those low in Vit D
PTH insufficiency or hormone imbalance
Menopausal females - Ca levels critical to maintain bone health Oestrogen promotes bone formation and lowering levels can precipitate osteoporosis
Calcium wasting factors can be due to what different lifestyle factors?
Low sun exposure or limited Vit D consumption
Phytic acid and oxalic acid found in plants - binds to calcium and could inhibit absorption
Caffeine intake - can reduce absorption
High alcohol intake (inhibit enzymes that convert Vit D to its active form)
Ageing - achlorhydria = reduced Ca absorption
Moderate/higher protein intake in maturing years