Minerals

Question 1

The majority of the calcium in the body is located in:

Answer 1

Bone (90%)

Question 2

What is second most abundant mineral in the body?

Answer 2

Phosphorus (25%); 70% of that is located within bone

Question 3

In what form are all minerals absorbed in the body?

Answer 3

Ionic state

Question 4

Are minerals synthesized in a lab?

Answer 4

No, minerals must be mined

Question 5

In what form are minerals mostly extracted from the environment?

Answer 5

Salt form (ex: calcium carbonate)

Question 6

Which mineral is the exception to the rule of being absorbed in the ionic state?

Answer 6

Heme iron

Question 7

The absorption of minerals is often influenced by:

Answer 7

Diet of the patient (ex: vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron from plants)

Question 8

What is the most abundant mineral located in the body?

Answer 8

Calcium (50%)

Question 9

Minerals with a positive charge are:

Answer 9

Metals (therefore non-metals are negatively charged)

Question 10

What is a metalloprotein?

Answer 10

A protein that contains a metal (metals are positively charged)

Question 11

What are 3 major examples of a metalloprotein?

Answer 11

Hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochromes

Question 12

What is an enzyme that contains a metal called?

Answer 12

Metalloenzyme

Question 13

What are 2 main examples of a mellatoenzyme?

Answer 13

Catalase and superoxide dismutase

Question 14

For a mineral to be considered a “major” mineral, how much should the patient consume each day?

Answer 14

> 100mg/day

Question 15

What are the minerals that a patient should consume >100mg/day?

Answer 15

Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, and sulfur (Ca, P, K, Na, Cl, Mg, and S)

Question 16

What is the recommend daily consumption of trace minerals?

Answer 16

1-100mg/day

Question 17

What minerals are considered to be “trace” minerals?

Answer 17

Iron, zinc, copper, and fluorine (Fe, Zn, Cu, and F)

Question 18

If a mineral is considered an “ultra trace” mineral, what is the daily recommendation you should tell your patients?

Question 19

What minerals are known as “ultra trace” minerals?

Answer 19

Iodine, selenium, maganese, chromium, molybdenum, silicon, arsenic, boron, and nickel (I, Se, Mn, Cr, Mo, Si, Ar, B, and Ni)

Question 20

What increases the absorption of all minerals?

Answer 20

An acidic environment

Question 21

For a mineral to be absorbed, it must first be:

Answer 21

Released from its salt form, and this is accomplished by acid (ex: ascorbic and citric acids)

Question 22

What is the form of calcium that is most commonly found in supplements and fortified foods?

Answer 22

Calcium carbonate

Question 23

What are the 2 different mechanisms in which calcium is absorbed?

Answer 23

Active transport and passive transport

Question 24

What is the protein that binds calcium in the small intestine?

Answer 24

Calbindin 9k

Question 25

In order for calcium to be absorbed I the SI through active transport, what is required?

Answer 25

Vitamin D

Question 26

When large amount of calcium is consumed through dairy products or in supplements, what type of calcium transport is used?

Answer 26

Passive transport (when calbindin 9k is saturated and fit D is NOT required)

Question 27

Was is the maximum amount of calcium that can be absorbed at one time?

Answer 27

500mg

Question 28

What are the calcium binding proteins and where are they found?

Answer 28

Calbindin 9k in SI and Calbindin 28k in kidneys

Question 29

Describe what happens when a patient's blood calcium levels are too low.

Answer 29

When blood calcium levels are too low, the parathyroid gland releases PTH. The PTH stimulates hydroxylase in the kidneys to stimulate calcitriol (Vit D). The calcitriol then stimulates the calcium binding proteins (Calbindin 9k and 28k) to raise calcium levels in the blood again.

Question 30

What is it called when calcium levels are low?

Answer 30

Hypocalcemia

Question 31

What is the short-term effect of Hypocalcemia?

Answer 31

Tetany (intense muscle spasms, especially within the hands)

Question 32

What is a long-term effect of Hypocalcemia?

Answer 32

Osteoporosis

Question 33

What stimulates or increases calcium absorption?

Answer 33

Vitamin D, proteins (Calbindin), and sugars (lactose)

Question 34

What inhibits the absorption of calcium?

Answer 34

Fatty acids, divalent minerals (Zn, Cu, and Mg), phytate (whole grains), oxalate (legumes, spinach, chocolate), tannins (coffee and tea), and fiber

Question 35

What increases the excretion of calcium?

Answer 35

Na, caffeine, and protein

Question 36

What decreases the excretion of calcium?

Answer 36

K, P, and estrogen

Question 37

What is average percentage of calcium that is absorbed by the body?

Answer 37

20-30% (adult) and 65% (growing children)

Question 38

What are the best dietary sources of calcium?

Answer 38

Dairy (milk), fish (esp. canned), tofu, spinach, and fortified grains