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Vitamins And Minerals > Trace Elements > Flashcards

Trace Elements Flashcards

1
Q

What is Keshan Disease?

A

A deficiency of selenium causing heart enlargement and inefficiency, affecting children under 15 years and women of childbearing age.

Cardiac muscle is replaced with scar tissue.

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2
Q

What is Kesin Beck Disease?

A

A condition involving degeneration of joints and cartilage, causing painful swelling of joints and affecting children under 20 years.

This condition is associated with zinc deficiency.

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3
Q

What are the symptoms of excess selenium?

A

Very toxic in excess (>800 µg/day): brittle hair and nails, skin lesions, garlic odour on the breath.

Selenium toxicity can lead to severe health issues.

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4
Q

Which food has the highest selenium content?

A

Brazil Nuts (85-690 µg/100g).

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5
Q

What is the Reference Nutrient Intake for males aged 15-50+ for zinc?

A

9.5 mg/d.

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6
Q

What are the consequences of zinc deficiency?

A

Delayed sexual maturation in children
Delayed wound healing
Poor growth
Skeletal abnormalities
Impaired immunity

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7
Q

What are the major sites of zinc in the body?

A

Muscle (60%)
Bone (30%)
Skin (4-6%)
Kidney, liver & plasma (~5%)

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8
Q

What is the major function of iodine in the body?

A

Production of thyroid hormones (Thyroxine (T4) and Tri-Iodothyronine (T3)).

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9
Q

What are the dietary sources of zinc?

A

Offal and lean meats
Seafood
Dairy products
Pulses & wholegrains

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10
Q

What are the roles of iodine?

A

Production of thyroid hormones
Involved in early growth & development

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11
Q

What is the tolerable upper limit of iodine for adults?

A

600 µg/d.

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12
Q

What is the function of iron in the body?

A

Transports and stores oxygen
Used as a co-factor for enzymes

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13
Q

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

A

Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate
Lethargy and fatigue
Pale conjunctiva and nailbeds

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14
Q

True or False: Iodine deficiency is a concern for pregnant women in the UK.

A

True.

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15
Q

What are the two forms of dietary iron?

A

Haem iron (animal origin)
Non-haem iron (mainly from plants)

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: The most common nutritional deficiency in man is _______.

A

[iron deficiency].

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17
Q

What are the stages of iron deficiency leading to iron deficiency anaemia?

A

Stage 1: Iron depletion
Stage 2: Iron deficiency
Stage 3: Iron deficiency anaemia

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18
Q

What dietary factors can inhibit zinc absorption?

A

Calcium
Iron
Oxalates
Phytate
Folic Acid

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19
Q

What is the role of the thyroid gland in relation to iodine?

A

Holds 70-80% of the body’s iodine levels and regulates its release via thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

20
Q

What is the average iodine content in cow’s milk per 200 ml?

A

50-100 µg.

21
Q

Who is most at risk of iodine deficiency?

A

Individuals with low intake of milk
Fish consumers of milk alternatives
Vegetarians and vegans

22
Q

What are the consequences of severe iodine deficiency?

A

Cretinism and poorer cognitive, language & motor scores in children.

23
Q

What is the primary cause of iron overload?

A

Primary (hereditary) and secondary (acquired) causes.

24
Q

What are the effects of iron overload on organ systems?

A

Pituitary gland
Heart
Liver
Pancreas
Gonadal

25
Q

What is the recommended iodine intake for adults in the UK?

A

140 µg/day.

26
Q

What is the most reliable method for preventing iodine deficiency disorders?

A

Universal salt iodisation.

27
Q

Fill in the blank: The human body has many mechanisms to absorb, transfer, and store iron, but almost none to _______.

A

[excrete it].

28
Q

What is the role of selenium in the body?

A

Antioxidant function and thyroid hormone metabolism.

29
Q

What are common dietary sources of iron?

A

Meat
Fish
Chicken
Bread and cereals
Dried fruit
Vegetables

30
Q

What are spoon shaped nails associated with in children?

A

Poor concentration, impaired cognitive function

Spoon shaped nails can be a sign of iron deficiency anaemia.

31
Q

What is the daily obligatory loss of iron in men?

A

~0.9mg/d

This includes small losses from the gut, skin, bile, urine, and any small blood losses.

32
Q

What is the daily obligatory loss of iron in women?

A

~1.6mg/d (including menstrual losses)

Losses may be much more depending on individual circumstances.

33
Q

What happens if iron losses are not balanced by dietary iron?

A

Iron stores gradually deplete, leading to iron deficiency

This emphasizes the importance of dietary iron intake.

34
Q

What is the lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs)?

A

~120 days

After this period, RBCs are destroyed in the liver and spleen.

35
Q

What is transferrin’s role in iron recycling?

A

Transferrin carries salvaged iron from the liver to the bone marrow for new RBC synthesis

This process is crucial for maintaining iron levels in the body.

36
Q

How much iron does the bone marrow require daily for RBC synthesis?

A

24mg of iron/day

This requirement highlights the importance of adequate iron intake.

37
Q

What is the approximate percentage of dietary iron that is absorbed?

A

~10%

This low absorption rate underscores the need for sufficient dietary intake.

38
Q

Name three inhibitors of non-haem iron absorption.

A
  • Phytates
  • Oxalates
  • Polyphenols

These compounds can significantly reduce iron absorption from food.

39
Q

Under what conditions can the body increase iron absorption?

A

During increased physiological demand and in conditions of iron insufficiency

This adaptive mechanism helps maintain iron homeostasis.

40
Q

What is the RNI for iron for females aged 11-50 years?

A

14.8mg/day

This value reflects the increased iron needs during menstruation.

41
Q

What protein carries iron from the duodenum to other tissues?

A

Transferrin

Transferrin plays a critical role in iron transport.

42
Q

Where is surplus iron stored in the body?

A

In ferritin, mainly in the liver, but also in bone marrow and spleen

Ferritin levels can be measured in the blood to assess iron stores.

43
Q

What is one of the body’s antioxidant nutrients that helps prevent free radical formation?

A

Selenium

Selenium plays a vital role in protecting cells from oxidative damage.

44
Q

What is the main dietary form of selenium found in animal products?

A

Selenocysteine

This form of selenium is important for various bodily functions.

45
Q

What is the RNI for selenium for males aged 19-50+ years?

A

75ug/d

This is the recommended intake for maintaining adequate selenium levels.

46
Q

How much selenium is recommended for lactating females?

A

+15ug/d

This increment supports the increased needs during lactation.

Vitamins And Minerals (3 decks)

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