Minerals Flashcards
What are trace minerals
Give some examples
Most of the body’s iron is found in two proteins name them and where they’re found
Iron occurs in two forms in food .name them and where they’re found
TRACE MINERALS
➢Trace minerals are essential nutrients in the human body in amount less than 5g. They are sometimes referred to as micronutrients.
➢This is because these nutrients are present and needed in relatively small quantities in the body.
Fluoride Iron Selenium Molybdenum Copper Chromium
Iron is an essential nutrient vital to many cell’s activities.
•Most of the body’s iron is found in two proteins i.e.
•Haemoglobin ; in the red blood cells.
•Myoglobin; in the muscle cells
Iron occurs in two forms in food
➢Heme iron: this is found only in foods derived from the flesh of animals such as meats poultry and fish.
➢Non-heme iron: This is found in both plant-derived and animal-derived foods.
State four sources of iron and explain how iron is absorbed
●Red meats ●Fish ●Poultry ●Shellfish ●Eggs ●Legumes ●Dried fruits ●Soybeans
•Iron absorption
•Iron from food is received by mucosal ferritin and stored in the mucosal cells of the small intestine.
•When the body is in need of iron, mucosal ferritin transfers iron to another protein called mucosal transferrin.
•Mucosal transferrin transfers the iron to another protein, blood transferrin, which transports the iron to the rest of the body.
Iron absorption
•If the body does not need iron, it is carried out when the intestinal cells are shed and excreted in the feces; intestinal cells are replaced about every three to five days.
•By holding iron temporarily, these cells control iron absorption by either delivering iron when the day’s intake falls short or disposing of it when intakes exceed needs.
What is the dietary recommendation of iron in men and women
What factors enhance the absorption of non heme iron
What factors inhibit non heme iron absorption
What is MPF factor
Dietary recommendation
•Men: 8mg/day
•Women :18mg/day
•Vegetarians need 1.8 times as much iron to make up for the low bioavailability typical of their diets
Factors that enhance nonheme iron absorption
1.MFP factor
2.Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Factors that inhibit nonheme iron absorption
- Phylates (legumes, grains, and rice)
- Vegetable proteins (soybeans, legumes, nuts)
- Calcium (milk)
- Tannic acid (and other polyphenols in tea and coffee)
MFP factor: a peptide released during the digestion of meat, fish, and poultry that enhances nonheme iron absorption
State four functions of iron
What is iron deficiencies
What can cause iron deficiency
What are the effects of iron deficiency
Iron is required for enzymes involved in making amino acids, collagen, hormones, and neurotransmitters.
- Iron can serve as a cofactor to enzymes involved in oxidative reduction reactions.
- It forms part of haemoglobin which carries oxygen in blood.
- It forms part of myoglobin which makes oxygen available for muscle contraction
Iron deficiency
•Iron deficiency refers to the state of having depleted iron stores in the body. It can be caused by;
1.Blood loss
i.Bleeding such as menstruation and intestinal bleeding
ii.Infection such as malaria, hookworm infections.
2.Vulnerable stages of life
•Some stages of life demand more iron but provides less, making deficiency likely
Women in their reproductive years are prone to iron deficiencies as a result of repeated blood loss during menstruation
- Pregnancy which demands additional iron to support the added blood volume, growth of the fetus, and blood loss during childbirth.
- Infants and young children receive little iron from their high-milk diets, yet need extra iron to support their rapid growth.
- Pica: is the increase desire for ice, clay, paste and other non food substances and most of these substances inhibit iron absorption which leads to iron deficiencies.
Effects of iron deficiencies
- Anemia
- Altered behavior
The body contains how much copper
Name some sources of copper and what’s the dietary intake for adults
State the functions of copper
The body contains about 100milligrams of copper. It is in variety of cells and tissues.
Sources of copper
- Seafoods
- Nuts
- Whole grains
- Seeds
- Legumes
Dietary intake
➢1.7mg/day for adult
Functions
- It is needed for the absorption of iron in the formation of hemoglobin. ; this is achieved by oxidizing ferrous iron to ferric iron
- It protects the body against free radicals; this is achieved by complement actions of both copper containing enzymes and zinc containing enzymes
- It serves as part of several enzymes
State the deficiency symptoms of copper and the toxicity effects
Deficiency symptoms
- Anemia
- Bone abnormalities
- Raises blood cholesterol and damage blood vessels.
Toxicity effects
- Liver damage
- Genetic disorders which affects copper status
- Menke’s disease; condition in which the copper absorbed by the intestinal cells are not released into circulation for utilization. This leads to deficiency.
- Wilson’s disease; copper accumulates in the liver and brain creating a life threatening toxicity. This can be controlled by reducing copper intake, using chelating agents such as penicilamnine and taking zinc supplements which interferes with copper absorption.
What is molybdenum
State the sources and dietary intake for adults
Molybdenum is a trace mineral in the body which is present in soil and transferred into a person’s diet when the person consumes plants as well as animals that feed on those plants.
Sources
•Legumes
•Cereals
•nuts
Dietary intake
-2mg/day for adults
State the functions,deficiency effects and toxicity effects of molybdenum
Functions
1.Cofactor for several enzymes.
Examples of this co– factor enzyme are sulpite oxidase, aldehyde, oxidase, mitochondrial amidoxime.
- Needed for the catabolism of proteins and other substances
Deficiency effects
●None recorded
However, molybdenum deficiency can still be caused by a rare genetic disorder called molybdenum cofactor deficiency This condition prevents molybdenum from being absorbed by the body. This can be detrimental to health of such a person.
Toxicity effects
- Kidney damage.
- Reproductive abnormalities.
What is phosphorus
Most of the phosphorus in the body is found as what?
How much of the body’s phosphorus is found in the bone?
What’s the RDA for adults and the upper level for adults?
Where can phosphorus be found in the body
State six sources of phosphorus
Phosphorus is an essential mineral that is required by every cell in the body for normal function.
• Most of the phosphorus in the body is found as phosphate (PO43-).
• Approximately 85% of the body’s phosphorus is found in bone.
RDA
Adults: 700mg/day
Upper Level
Adults (19-70 yr): 4000 mg/day
Bones
Teeth
Part of every cell Genetic material
Meat and other proteins: beef, chicken, fish, and organ meat like liver. Milk and dairy foods: eggs, cottage cheese, and ice cream
Beans
Grains: bran and wheat germ
Nuts and seeds, almonds, cashews, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds.
• Foods rich in proteins
State the functions and deficiency effects of phosphorus
The main function is the formation or mineralization of bones and teeth (hydroxyapatite)
• Energy production and storage.
• Storage and transmission of genetic information (Nucleic acids)
• Maintain normal acid-base balance (pH) as a buffer system.
• Activation of molecules (enzymes, hormones and cell signaling molecules)
Inadequate phosphorus intake results in abnormally low serum phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia). The effects of hypophosphatemia may include:
• Bone related symptoms: (rickets and osteomalacia)
• Loss of appetite
• Anemia
• Muscle weakness
• Bone pain
• Increased susceptibility to infection
• Numbness and tingling of the extremities
• Difficulty walking
What is manganese
What’s the AI for manganese?
The upper intake level for it?
State five sources
Manganese is an essential trace element, naturally present in foods and available as dietary supplements.
• They are mostly found in bones and metabolically active organs such as liver, kidneys and pancreas.
• Manganese is a co-factor of many enzymes such as pyruvate carboxylase, arginase and manganese superoxide dismutase.
No Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for manganese Adequate Intake (AI) =1.8 – 2.3 mg per day.
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) = 11 mg per day for adults.
Whole grains Oysters Nuts Soybeans Legumes Leafy vegetables, Coffee
What are the functions of manganese
Bone Development
Manganese is the preferred cofactor of enzymes called glycosyltransferases, which are needed for the synthesis of proteoglycans required for the formation of healthy cartilage and bone.
May help in combination with other nutrients such as calcium, zinc and copper
Antioxidant Function
• Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is the principal antioxidant enzyme in mitochondria.
• As mitochondria consume over 90% of the oxygen used by cells, they are especially vulnerable to oxidative stress. The superoxide radical is one of the reactive oxygen species produced in mitochondria during ATP synthesis. MnSOD catalyzes the conversion of superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide, which can be reduced to water by other antioxidant enzymes.
• Helps reduce inflammation.
Metabolism
A number of manganese-activated enzymes play important roles in metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol.
Pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Gluconeogenesis) Arginase in urea cycle (amino acid metabolism)
Glutamine synthetase in the brain (amino acid metabolism)
Mevalonate kinase and farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase (Lipid metabolism)
Wound Healing
• Wound healing is a complex process that requires increased production of collagen.
• Prolidase (collagen formation in human skin cells)
• Glycosyltransferase (Glycosaminoglycan synthesis)
Why will there be deficiencies of manganese?
What are the effects of the deficiencies
Deficiency symptoms are RARE Deficiencies due to • Malabsorption • Too much Iron, Magnesium or Calcium • Alkaline stomach • Anti-acids
manganese deficiency occurs it would result in:
• Poor bone growth and skeletal abnormalities e.g., flat feet. • Loss of collagen
• Stiffness
• Altered carbohydrate metabolism
• Osteoporosis, Diabetes Mellitus, Seizure disorders (More research may be warranted)
What is fluoride
What’s the average intake and the upper level intake in adults
What are the sources
Fluoride is present in virtually all soils, water supplies, plants and animals.
• Fluorine occurs naturally as the negatively charged ion, fluoride (F-).
• Fluoride is considered a trace element because only small amounts are present in the body and
because the daily requirement for maintaining dental health is only small amounts (few milligrams
a day).
• About 95% of the total body fluoride is found in bones and teeth.
AI Upper Level
Men: 4 mg/day Adults: 10 mg/day Women: 3 mg/day
Plants
Rocks/minerals
Water (fresh water, rain water, sea water) Foods (esp. leafy vegetables/foods)
Soil
Toothpaste Fluoridated water
What are the functions and deficiency effects of fluoride
Maintain health of bones and teeth
• Helps to make teeth resistant to decay.
o The predominant mineral elements in bone are crystals of calcium and phosphate known as hydroxyapatite crystals.
o Once fluoride is in the bloodstream after digestion, it rapidly enters mineralized tissues (e.g. bones and developing teeth). Fluoride’s high chemical reactivity and small radius allows it to either displace the larger hydroxyl ion in the hydroxyapatite crystal, forming fluorapatite, or to increase crystal density by entering spaces within the hydroxyapatite crystal.
o Fluorapatite hardens tooth enamel and stabilizes bone mineral.
Deficiency
Susceptibility to tooth decay (cavities)
The first sign of fluoride deficiency is usually cavities. This is because a lack of fluoride can cause your enamel to become weak and prone to decay. However, if you do have cavities, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are deficient in fluoride. Cavities have other causes too, including sugar and failing to take care of your teeth properly.
Weak bones
Your body needs fluoride for health bones as well as healthy teeth. This means that if you have a fluoride deficiency, you are at an increased risk of weak and brittle bones. Elderly people who are prone to fractures often have a fluoride deficiency.
What is calcium
State the sources
State five functions of calcium
Calcium is a nutrient that all living organisms need, including humans. It is the most abundant mineral in the body and it is vital for bone health.
●Humans need calcium to build and maintain strong bones, and 99% of the body’s calcium is in the bones and teeth.
●Calcium occurs naturally in many foods, and food manufacturers add it to certain products.
Okra Cheese Sardine Milk Orange Almond
Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth.
●Regulating Hormones and Enzymes
●Blood Vessel Dilation/Constriction: Blood Pressure
●Muscle Contraction
●Nerve Transmission – release of Neurotransmitter
●Blood Clotting
What is the calcium DRA and tolerable upper intake per day for infants 0-6 months,7-12 months,1-3yrs kids,4-8yrs,9-18,19-50,51-70male,51-70 female, pregnancy and lactation 14-18 years,pregnancy and lactation tion 19-50 years
What’s the deficiency effect of calcium
DAILY RECOMMENDATION ALLOWANCE TOLERABLE UPPER INTAKE LEVEL PER DAY Infants 0-6 months 200mg 1000mg Infants 7-12 months 260mg 1500mg Children 1-3 years 700mg 2500mg Children 4-8 years 1000mg 2500mg Children 9-18 years 1300mg 3000mg Adults 19-50 years 1000mg 2500mg Adults 51-70 years male 1000mg 2000mg Adults 51-70 years female 1200mg 2000mg Pregnancy and lactation-14-18 years 1300mg 3000mg Pregnancy and lactation- 19-50 years 1000mg 2500mg
CALCIUM DEFICIENCY
Hypocalcemia: Blood Ca2+ levels below normal.
Bones less dense, weakened and brittle.
risk of Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures
What is iodine
State the sources
Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones control the body’s metabolism and many other important functions. The body also needs thyroid hormones for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy
Mushroom Oat Peanut Hazelnut Prunes Walnuts White bread
What are the metabolic functions of iodine
State other functions
What’s the amount of iodine recommended for the various life stages (birth to 6 months,infants,1-8years,9-13,14-18,adults,pregnant teens and women,breastfeeding teens and women )
Thyroid gland traps iodide to make hormone thyroxine (T4), which converts to triiodothyronine (T3).
Promoting thyroid health
●Improving cognitive function.
●Improving birth weight.
●Neurodevelopment during pregnancy.
Birth to 6months 110mcg Infants 130mg Children 1-8years 90mcg Children 9-13years 120mcg Teens 14-18years 150mcg Adults 150mcg Pregnant teens and women 220mcg Breastfeeding teens and women 290mcg
