unit 6- minerals Flashcards
(120 cards)
what is the most indispensable of all nutrients
- water
- plays many important functions in the body
- need more water each day than any other water
how much more water do we need than protein
50x
how much more water do we need than Vit C
5000x
how many days can you survive without water
-only a few days
others you can survive for months, even years
regulation of water
- body tightly regulates its water balance by regulating intake and output
- the cells themselves regulate the composition and amounts of fluids within and surrounding them
what are 2 examples of water imbalances
- dehydration
- water intoxication
signs of mild dehydration
-thirst; sudden weight loss; rough and dry skin; low bp; lack of energy; decreased mental functioning; fainting
signs of severe dehydration
-pale skin’ bullish lips; confusion; rapid breathing; shock; seizure; coma; death
Body fluids and minerals
- it is very important for the body to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, as well as acid-base balance
- kidneys play important role in this balance
minerals
-naturally occurring, inorganic, essential, chemical elements
major minerals
- found in human body in amounts larger than 5g
- ie calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur
trace minerals
- minerals found in human body in amounts less than 5g
- ie chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc
Sodium
-positively charged ion that is used to maintain the volume of fluid outside cells
do most people consume the correct amount of sodium
- no
- most contains over double the DRi and 1000 over UL
what can high sodium intakes lead to?
HTN
-world-wide populations with high salt intakes experience higher rates of hypertension, cardiovascular, and cerebral hemorrhage
cerebral hemorrhage
-form of stroke that is HTN related
is there a direct relationship between sodium and bp?
yes
what happens as sodium intakes increase?
average bp increases
(and as it increases, so does risk of death from CVD)
-even small increases in Na intake have this effect
proven dietary approach to help lower Na intake and increase K intake
DASH diet
Dietary Approaches to Stop Htn
true or false: regular physical activity can also lower blood pressure
true
chloride
- major negative ion
- it accompanies sodium in the fluids outside the cells and helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balances, as well as the body’s acid-base balance
- also part of hydrochloric acid, which maintains the strong acidity of the stomach
what is the main source of chloride
-salt (both added or naturally occurring in foods)
Potassium
-major positively charged ion found inside all living cells
what causes a loss of K from inside cells (and why is this dangerous)
- deyhdration
- this is dangerous bc once the cells of the brain lose K, they lose the ability to detect the need for fluids