May 2: Orientation to Minerals - The Work-hard Nutrient Flashcards
What is cholesterol, and is it an essential nutrient?
A fatty wax-like substance in the body that performs essential functions in cell membranes, is the precursor to bile acid, sex hormones, and vitamin D.
However, it is not an essential nutrient because our body can make it
Where do we get cholesterol from?
The body (“self” production) and diet (food products from animals that have a liver)
Things that don’t have a liver WON’T have cholesterol!
Minerals
Elemental substances other than C, H, O, N. They are essential nutrients
What do minerals do in the body?
They perform structure and regulatory roles in the body (no energy like protein)
What are the two mineral categories?
Major and trace minerals
Major mineral
Contributes more than .01% of body weight
Examples are calcium and phosphorus
Trace mineral
Contributes less than .01% of body weight
Examples are iron, iodine, and zinc
Bioavailability for minerals
The amount of a nutrient that is available/absorbed by the body. We don’t absorb much of minerals compared to fat, protein, and carbs
Factors that affect bioavailability
Growth, pregnancy, aging, medication, fiber, form of mineral in food, factors in food
So the bioavailability of minerals in the body can decrease or increase
Function of calcium
Structure (bone and teeth)
Blood clot process
Muscle/nerve function
Calcium homeostasis
Intestine: calcium absorption
Bone: calcium bank
Kidney: calcium excretion
What happens in the case of a calcium deficiency?
You get osteoporosis (weak, brittle, porous bones)
Osteoporosis
Condition where bones become porous and fragile due to loss of minerals
Why might someone develop osteoporosis?
Long-term low calcium intake (and/or vitamin D), estrogen loss (menopause, amenorrhea), inactivity, genetics, and increasing age
Food sources of calcium
Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
