Trace Minerals

Question 1

Trace Minerals

Answer 1

Microminerals; Nutrients needed by body in very small amounts (less than one-hundreth of 1% of total body weight); Concentrations in body highly regulated, Normal body function necessitates optimal range, Toxicity at intakes far above estimated

Question 2

Trace Mineral Content of Food

Answer 2

Dependent upon composition of soil and water, Processing of foods, Many dietary components and factors within body affect bioavailability

Question 3

Trace Minerals Dietary Need for Body

Answer 3

1 ppm or less

Question 4

Examples of Trace Minerals

Answer 4

Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Iodine, Fluoride, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum

Question 5

Iron

Answer 5

Dietary choices lead to not sufficient intake, Others consume too much iron; Transport of oxygen to tissues, Energy production, Maintenance of immunity, Synthesis of amino acids, hormones and neurotransmitters

Question 6

Iron Function

Answer 6

Proteins: Hemoglobin (RBC) and Myoglobin (Muscle cells)

Question 7

Hemoglobin Role

Answer 7

Oxygen-transferring protein of RBC that transports oxygen from lungs to body tissues, Hemoglobin accounts 80% of body’s iron

Question 8

Heme VS Nonheme

Answer 8

Heme-Animal flesh

Nonheme-Plants

Question 9

Factors that affect Iron Absorption

Answer 9

Increase: Gastric acid, Heme iron in food, High body demand for RBC (blood loss, high altitude, physical training, pregnancy), Low body stores of iron, Meat protein factor, Vitamin C
Decrease: Phytic acid, Oxalic acid, Polyphenols (Coffee, Red Wine), Full body stores, Excess minerals, Reduced gastric acid output, Antacids

Question 10

RDA Iron for Adults

Answer 10

Males: 8mg/day
Females (19-50): 18mg/day
Females (51+): 8mg/day

Question 11

Food Sources of Iron

Answer 11

Red meat, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Legumes, Dry Fruits

Question 12

Meat Fish Poultry (MFP) Factor

Answer 12

Associated with digestion of meat, fish, poultry and enhances absorption of iron

Question 13

Iron Absorption

Answer 13

Varies with individuals health, life stage and iron needs/status, Varies 2-35% with average 18%, Enhanced with higher needs like pregnancy and other life stages with rapid growth

Question 14

Anemia

Answer 14

Severe depletion of iron stores that results in low hemoglobin and small, pale, red blood cells (microcytic, hypochromic)

Question 15

Nutrient Deficient Anemia

Answer 15

Iron, Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Protein, Other Vitamins (B6)

Question 16

Other Conditions that lead to Anemia

Answer 16

Hemorrhage, Genetic abnormality, Chronic disease states (Cancer, Hypothyroidism, Cardiovascular disease), Drug toxicity

Question 17

Populations Vulnerable to Iron Deficiency

Answer 17

Infants, Adolescents, Women in childbearing years and Pregnant women

Question 18

Symptoms of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Answer 18

Fatigue, Anorexia, Reduced capacity to work, Poor immune response, Impaired cognition function

Question 19

Treatment of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Answer 19

Depends upon underlying cause and severity, Dietary modifications, Supplements, Appropriate medications, Severe iron deficiency anemia require blood transfusion, iron injections, intravenous iron therapy and treatment in hospital

Question 20

Toxicity

Answer 20

10% population in US is positive iron balance, 1% iron overload; Two types- Hemochromatosis and Hemosiderosis; Iron overload with heart disease (oxidized LDL)

Question 21

Zinc

Answer 21

Concentrated in bone, liver, kidney and muscle tissues; Amount in body is 1.5-2.5g

Question 22

Zinc functions

Answer 22

Cofactor for more than 100 enzymes, Cellular growth, Bone formation, Cell mediated immunity, Part of insulin, Thyroid function, Behavior and learning

Question 23

RDA for Zinc

Answer 23

Males (19-50): 15mg/day

Females (19-50): 12mg/day

Question 24

Zinc Deficiency

Answer 24

1960-Children and adolescent boys in Egypt, Iran and Turkey; Rapid growth phases associated with higher zinc

Question 25

Populations Vulnerable to Zinc Deficiency

Answer 25

Alcoholics, Trauma, Lacto-Vegetarians, Pregnant women, Elderly, Post-surgical patients

Question 26

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms

Answer 26

Growth retardation, Skeletal abnormalities, Defective collagen synthesis, Poor wound healing, Delayed sexual maturation (children), Hypogeusia (diminished taste)

Question 27

Significant Food Sources of Zinc

Answer 27

Protein-containing foods- Meat, fish, poultry; Whole grains, Vegetables

Question 28

Metabolism of Zinc

Answer 28

Zinc is absorbed by intestinal cells, Attached to albumin and transferrin and circulated in blood, Excess stored in liver as metallothionein, Pancreas uses zinc to make digestive enzymes, Some losses in urine, skin, blood and semen

Question 29

Selenium

Answer 29

Antioxidant, Cofactor for Glutathione Peroxidase; Selenium-poor soil correlates with cancer incidence

Question 30

RDA Selenium for Adults

Answer 30

Adults: 55microg/day

Upper level: 100microg/day

Question 31

Selenium Deficiency

Answer 31

Keshan disease, Kashin-Beck’s disease

Question 32

Keshan Disease

Answer 32

Cardiomyopathy, Congestive heart failure, Necrosis of heart tissue

Question 33

Kashin-Beck’s Disease

Answer 33

Disorder of bones and joints of hands, fingers, elbows, knees and ankles in children and adolescents; Occurs due to necrosis (death) of growth plates of bones and joint cartilage