topic 3 Flashcards
what is the difference between the elemental form of a mineral and ionic form of a mineral?
Elemental: it is stable and has no charge
Ionic: charged due to loss or gain of an e-
what are the primary minerals in the human diet and give examples of foods in which we can find them.
- Ca (dairy, leafy greens, etc)
- K (bananas, potatoes)
- I (iodine) (seafood)
- Fe (red meat, broccoli,etc.)
- Zn (zinc) (oysters, nuts)
- Se (seaweed, seafood, brazil nuts, garlic, onions)
What happens when you consume excess salt?
It can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure)
Not enough Ca can lead to…
Osteoporosis
Too much Ca can lead to…
Build up in arteries and can cause heart attacks in post-menopausal women
What is osteoporosis and what does it cause?
linked to low dietary calcium, causes fractures due to weak bones, more common in women, decreases stature of individuals as they age, resorption of bone mass in post-menopausal women is 1-5%/yr
What is needed for bone formation (mineral wise) and what agent does it
Ca and P (in the form of phosphate) and it is done by osteoblasts as they create hydroxiapatite
What causes bone resorption and how?
Osteoclasts, they liberate an acid which takes away Ca2+ and bone material, leaving pits (clasts) behind. May be inhibited by Fosamax (alendronate) but has caused jawbone problems.
Name a couple of osteoporosis therapies
- Ca supplements (though early intake in life reduces risk of osteoporosis later) but must be taken with meals to increase absorption. (Also dairy foods with phosphate). Though must be careful with supplements as some are calcium citrate of CaCO3 which interfere with phosphate absorption, hence not reducing osteoporosis.
- Ca + vit D as it increases absorption
- Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) lower acid in stomach, interferes with calcium absorption through induction of hypochlorhydria (low HCl production in stomach) but they also may reduce bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast process.
- Exercise as it increases bone mass and density
- Estrogen + progestin as it helps prevent osteoporosis (estrogen receptors in bones) and decreases risk of uterine cancer, but may further increase risk of breast cancer and not as effective against heart disease. Especially useful for post-menopausal women as their estrogen levels drop. Taking Ca supplements can reduce estrogen required.
True or false: Dietary fiber helps absorption of minerals
False, it can decrease their absorption by trapping them
Describe Se
- Se functions as an antioxidant with vitamin E.
- It’s part of glutathione peroxidase that protects cells against oxidative damage.
- Contributes to odour in onions and garlic.
Describe Zn
- Makes up about 0.003% of body weight.
- Around 20% of the population doesn’t have enough of it,
- Fiber & protein material sequester zinc before it can be absorbed (because used in enzyme connections).
Not enough Zn causes…
lack of it can affect healing, smell (anosmia aka lack of smell), taste, circulation (Raynaud’s disease).
Describe Fe
- It is necessary in heme which transports oxygen in the body.
- It is best absorbed with vitamin C (assists absorption in intestinal tract).
- people with porphyria (abnormal red skin and excess hair) lack Fe in porphyrin rings.
- Needed in times of rapid growth, often more needed by menstruating women due to more loss during period, not as needed by lactating women as they do not get periods but needed by pregnant women as they’re creating more red blood cells and blood volume for fetus.
Lack of Fe causes…
Excess causes…
- iron deficiency anemia
- hemochromatosis (genetic): where body absorbs abnormal amounts of iron and excess is stored in heart, liver, pancreas, and joints
