The Nutritional Value of Minerals

Question 1

What are the major minerals?

Answer 1

sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphate

Question 2

What are the trace minerals?

Answer 2

iron, zinc, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, molybdenum

Question 3

What does a calcium deficiency lead to?

Answer 3

osteoporosis, rickets and blood clotting

Question 4

What does excess calcium lead to?

Answer 4

impaired kidney function, kidney stones, malabsorption of other minerals, constipation

Question 5

How much calcium is required in the diet per day?

Answer 5

1g

Question 6

Which vitamin is required for calcium absorption?

Answer 6

vitamin D

Question 7

Which hormone lowers blood calcium?

Answer 7

calcitonin

Question 8

Which hormone increases blood calcium?

Answer 8

parathyroid hormone

Question 9

When does malignant hyperthermia occur?

Answer 9

when muscles release excess calcium - triggered by halothane in people who are genetically predisposed

Question 10

What is the upper limit for calcium intake?

Answer 10

2.5g per day

Question 11

What is the role of phosphate?

Answer 11

mineralisation of bones and teeth, genetic material, buffer, phospholipids, energy transfer

Question 12

What are the symptoms of hypophosphatemia?

Answer 12

muscle and neurological dysfunction, blood cell fragility, bone pain, limitation to growth

Question 13

What are the symptoms of phosphate toxicity?

Answer 13

diarrhoea and calcification of organs and soft tissue

Question 14

How much phosphorus is required per day?

Answer 14

1g

Question 15

What is the role of potassium in the body?

Answer 15

fluid and electrolyte balance, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction

Question 16

What are the symptoms of potassium deficiency?

Answer 16

irregular heartbeat, muscular weakness, glucose intolerance

Question 17

What are the symptoms of potassium toxicity?

Answer 17

muscle weakness, vomiting and if given directly to a vein can stop the heart

Question 18

What is the food source for sulphur?

Answer 18

protein

Question 19

How does a hair perm work?

Answer 19

the chemicals break the sulphide bonds in the hair

Question 20

What is the recommended daily intake of sodium?

Answer 20

less than 2.3g per day

Question 21

What are the symptoms of a sodium deficiency?

Answer 21

muscle cramps, mental apathy, loss of appetite

Question 22

What are the symptoms of sodium toxicity?

Answer 22

oedema, hypertension

Question 23

What does chloride toxicity cause?

Answer 23

vomiting

Question 24

What are the functions of magnesium in the body?

Answer 24

bone mineralisation, building of protein, enzyme action, muscle contraction, nerve impulses, maintenance of teeth, functioning of the immune system

Question 25

What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

Answer 25

weakness, confusion, convulsions, muscle movements, hallucinations, difficulty in swallowing, growth failure

Question 26

What are the symptoms of magnesium toxicity?

Answer 26

diarrhoea, alkalosis, dehydration

Question 27

What are epsom salts used for?

Answer 27

laxative

Question 28

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Answer 28

anemia and pica

Question 29

What is haemachromatosis and what are the symptoms?

Answer 29

iron excess - bronze skin, hepatic cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus

Question 30

Why do men need more zinc than women?

Answer 30

because zinc is needed for the making of sperm

Question 31

What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency?

Answer 31

growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, impaired immune function, hair loss, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite

Question 32

What are the symptoms of a copper deficiency?

Answer 32

anaemia, bone abnormalities

Question 33

What are the symptoms of copper toxicity?

Answer 33

liver damage

Question 34

What genetic diseases are related to copper?

Answer 34

Menke's disease (too little) and Wilson's disease (too much)

Question 35

What is the role of selenium in the body?

Answer 35

defends against oxidation, regulates thyroid hormone

Question 36

What are the symptoms of selenium deficiency?

Answer 36

predisposition to heart disease

Question 37

What is the function of chromium in the body?

Answer 37

enhances insulin action

Question 38

Which vitamin is cobalt part of?

Answer 38

vitamin B12

Question 39

What is the role of fluoride in the body?

Answer 39

maintains health of bones and teeth