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Trace minerals Flashcards

1
Q

What are the examples of the functions of minerals (5)

A
  1. Molecule & tissue structure
  2. Enzyme systems
  3. Fluid balance
  4. Cellular transport
  5. Neurotransmission
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2
Q

How do minerals impact molecule & tissue structure (2)

A
  1. Iron is critical for the structure of haemoglobin.
  2. Phosphorus & calcium are needed as structural components of bones
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3
Q

How do minerals impact enzyme structures

A

Minerals are often incorporated in enzymes or function as a cofactors which enables the enzyme to work properly

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4
Q

How do minerals impact fluid balance

A

Regulation of cellular fluid balance is driven by the concentration of minerals such as sodium and potassium across the cell membrane

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5
Q

How do minerals impact cellular transport

A

Minerals such as sodium, potassium or calcium drive transporters that carry molecules in and out of cells

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6
Q

How do minerals impact neurotransmission

A

Some minerals have a role in nerve function and synaptic communication

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7
Q

What are examples of minerals (the body needs relatively large quantities of) (7)

A
  1. Calcium
  2. Chloride
  3. Sodium
  4. Magnesium
  5. Phosphate
  6. Potassium
  7. Phosphorus
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8
Q

What are examples of trace minerals (body needs small quantities of) (9)

A
  1. Chromium
  2. Copper
  3. Fluoride
  4. Iodine
  5. Iron
  6. Manganese
  7. Molybdenum
  8. Selenium
  9. Zinc
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9
Q

What minerals are more commonly associated with deficiency issues (4)

A
  1. Calcium
  2. Sodium
  3. Magnesium
  4. Potassium
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10
Q

What trace minerals are more commonly associated with deficiency issues (5)

A
  1. Copper
  2. Fluoride
  3. Iodine
  4. Iron
  5. Zinc
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11
Q

What can lead to vitamin or mineral deficiency (7)

A
  1. Food shortage
  2. fasting
  3. anorexia nervosa
  4. persistent vomiting
  5. impaired digestion
  6. intestinal malabsorption
  7. other chronic diseases
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12
Q

What are rich sources of calcium (2)

A
  1. Dairy products
  2. green leafy vegetables
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13
Q

What are roles of calcium in the body (4)

A
  1. Calcium is required by every cell in your body. It is essential for maintenance and growth of bones and teeth
  2. a signalling molecule, required for heart contraction, muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation and synaptic transmission
  3. control osmotic pressure and aids transport of molecules across the cell membrane
  4. The calcium concentration in your blood is tightly regulated, and any excess is stored in bones and released if needed
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14
Q

What are causes of calcium deficiency (2)

A
  1. Shortage of dietary calcium or diseases that result in malabsorption.
  2. a lack exposure to sunlight with low levels of vitamin D in the diet (therefore low calcium absorption from the gut)
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15
Q

What are symptoms of calcium deficiency (9)

A
  1. None at first to severe and life-threatening.
  2. decreased bone mineralisation
  3. rickets
  4. osteoporosis
  5. numbness in fingers and toes
  6. muscle cramps
  7. irritability
  8. impaired mental capacity
  9. muscle twitching
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16
Q

What are rich sources of sodium

A

Many foods contain very small amounts of sodium but the vast majority of our sodium comes from table salt (sodium chloride)

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17
Q

What are the bodily roles of sodium (2)

A
  1. Sodium is found in the external fluid to the cells and helps to control osmotic pressure across cell membranes.
  2. It also plays an important role in blood pressure
18
Q

What can deficiency of sodium lead to (8)

A

Mild symptoms include:

  1. a decreased ability to think clearly
  2. headaches
  3. nausea
  4. poor balance.

Severe symptoms include:

  1. confusion
  2. seizures
  3. coma
  4. death
19
Q

What are rich sources of magnesium (9)

A
  1. Lentils
  2. peas
  3. beans
  4. whole-grain cereals
  5. nuts
  6. dark-green vegetables
  7. meat
  8. seafood
  9. dairy products
20
Q

What are the bodily roles of magnesium (9)

A
  1. required in every organ of the body
  2. required in especially the heart
  3. required in muscles
  4. required in kidneys
  5. required in bones and teeth.
  6. function of muscles
  7. function of the nervous system
  8. function of cardiovascular system
  9. function of cellular metabolism
21
Q

What are the common causes of magnesium deficiency (3)

A
  1. insufficient dietary uptake
  2. some diseases
  3. certain medications
22
Q

What can deficiency of magnesium lead to (6)

A
  1. fatigue
  2. muscle weakness & numbness
  3. muscle spasms or cramps
  4. abnormal eye movements
  5. an abnormal heart rhythm
  6. convulsions
23
Q

What are rich sources of potassium (9)

A
  1. Bananas
  2. potatoes
  3. beans & pulses
  4. broccoli
  5. sprouts
  6. nuts
  7. seeds
  8. fish
  9. beef & poultry
24
Q

What are the bodily roles of potassium (3)

A
  1. Helps nerves and muscles function
  2. regulates heart’s rhythm
  3. regulates bodily fluids
25
What can deficiency of potassium lead to (3)
1. muscle weakness 2. constipation 3. abnormal heart rhythm
26
What are rich sources of copper (3)
1. Nuts 2. shellfish 3. liver
27
What are the bodily roles of copper (3)
1. Role in the production of red and white blood cells. 2. Important for infant brain development and growth, for the immune system and strong bones. 3. It is a cofactor for several enzymes and involved in many physiological processes
28
What can deficiency of copper lead to (8)
1. Anaemia 2. low white blood cell count (low neutrophils) 3. nerve damage 4. bone fractures 5. osteoporosis 6. irregular heartbeat 7. loss of pigment from the skin 8. thyroid problems
29
What are rich sources of fluoride (2)
1. Only trace amounts of fluoride are naturally present in most foods. 2. Tea and toothpaste have good amounts
30
What are the bodily roles of fluoride
Some function in bones and teeth (poorly understood)
31
What can deficiency of fluoride lead to (2)
1. It is not considered to be essential to have fluoride in our diet 2. extremely important for preventing tooth decay
32
What are rich sources of iodine (3)
1. Edible seaweed & seafood are rich sources 2. dairy products have some. 3. Iodine can be added to table salt (iodised salt)
33
What are the bodily roles of iodine (4)
1. important elements required for brain development in a developing foetus. 2. cellular metabolism 3. production of thyroid hormones 4. normal thyroid function
34
What can deficiency of iodine lead to (5)
1. Goitre 2. Hyperthyroidism 3. increase risk of stillbirth 4. birth defects 5. cognitive impairment
35
What are rich sources of iron (7)
1. Lentils 2. red meat 3. shellfish & fish 4. poultry 5. leafy green vegetables 6. Iron is fairly poorly absorbed from foods. 7. Vitamin C aids absorption of iron
36
What are the bodily roles of iron (2)
1. A major role is with haemoglobin to carry oxygen. 2. It also has a major role in many enzymatic reactions
37
What can deficiency of iron lead to (5)
1. Anaemia leading to morbidly and death. 2. Poor infant development 3. low birth weight 4. increased rate of death in baby or mother. 5. Iron deficiency is one of the most widespread health problem in the world
38
What are rich sources of zinc (5)
1. liver 2. eggs 3. nuts 4. cereals 5. seafood
39
What are the bodily roles of zinc (2)
1. Required for the function of over 200 enzymes. 2. Important role in metabolism.
40
What can deficiency of zinc lead to (6)
1. skin & gastrointestinal tract lesions 2. anaemia & poor wound healing. 3. problems with the brain & central nervous system resulting in impaired cognitive & motor function. 4. Poor function of the immune system & reproductive system giving rise to increased infections 5. problems with pregnancy & impaired infant growth 6. High doses of zinc supplements can reduce the amount of copper absorbed by the body. This can lead to anaemia and osteoporosis

Blood and nutrition (17 decks)

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