Module 7 - Mineral Balance Flashcards
What are the big ideas of mineral balance?
- calcium is a game of cofactors
- almost everyone gets enough calcium. they’re missing the cofactors that allow the body to absorb/use it.
what are the 7 cofactors required for proper absorption and use of calcium w/I the body?
- systemic pH
- hormonal function
- hydration: water & electrolytes
- other minerals
- vitamins
- fatty acids
- digestion
List 4 roles of mineral balance
- act as cofactors for enzyme reactions
- maintain pH balance in body
- facilitate transfer of nutrients across cell membranes
- maintain proper nerve conduction
- contract and relax muscles
- regulate tissue growth
- provide structural and functional support
calcium cofactor: digestion
- body can’t synthesize minerals.. must ingest them
- calcium is only absorbed in an acid environment and requires HCL for uptake
calcium cofactor: fatty acids
- necessary for transport of calcium across the cell
- help increase calcium levels in tissues
calcium cofactor: vit D
works w/ PTH (parathyroid hormone) to increase level of calcium in blood serum:
- increases absorption through GI tract
- pulls calcium from bones/tissues
- decreases loss in urine/feces
calcium cofactor: other minerals
- calcium must be in balance w/other macrominerals
- potassium and trace elements manganese, boron, copper, and zinc are also important for proper use of calcium
calcium cofactor: systemic pH
- bone is a major buffer of calcium and calcium is a major buffer of blood pH
- when blood becomes too acidic, it pulls calcium from tissues
- when blood becomes too alkaline, calcium separates out of solutions
- if excess calcium is deposited in inappropriate tissues, it can cause problems
calcium cofactor: hydration
- good hydration ensures blood is fluid enough to efficiently transport calcium throughout the body to other tissues
- balanced electrolytes (electrically charged ions of calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate) ensure appropriate transfer of calcium in and out of cells
calcium cofactor: hormones
- parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- primary hormone regulating blood calcium levels
- thyroid hormone (calcitonin)
- inhibits osteoclastic activity
- decreases blood calcium levels
- adrenal hormones
- mineralocorticoids control sodium and potassium homeostasis, which have a relationship w/ calcium
- sex hormones
- estrogen inhibits olsteoclastic activity
- progesterone promotes osteoblastic activity
- testosterone is a precursor to estrogen and progesterone
Lowenburg’s Sign
- tissue mineral test
- tests one’s tissue deficiency for muscle cramping at rest
- checks tissue calcium stores of client
- can LNT
precautions of Lowenburg’s Sign
contraindications:
- phlebitis
- edema
- thromboembolytic disease
*do not perform this test
** elderly or frail clients, don’t exceed 180 mmHg w/blood pressure cuff
how to conduct Lowenburg’s Sign
- have client sit at edge of table
- best to test on bare leg or thin clothing
- if client usually gets cramps in one of their legs, use that leg for test
- place pressure cuff around largest portion of calf muscle
- instruct client to let you know when s/he feels the ONSET of a cramp
- gradually inflate cuff
- deflate immediately when threshold is reached
- wait 30 secs then repeat test
Scoring Lowenburg’s Sign
- Very Deficient: cramp at >150 mmHg
- Deficient: cramp at >200 mmHg
- Sufficient: cramp at 200 mmHg
- Optimal: cramp at 240 mmHg
