Water & Minerals - Chapter 8 Flashcards
(151 cards)
Water
- Most indispensable of all nutrients
- Can survive only a few days without water
- Makes up 60% of adult body
weight- Arteries, veins, capillaries, cells, tissues, organs
Functions of Water
- Transport vehicle for nutrients and wastes
- Universal solvent
- Body’s cleansing agent
- Lubricant/cushion for joints
- Protection for sensitive tissue
- Maintenance of body temperature
Water Balance
- Lose water everyday
- Must consume at least the same amount
Water Balance (Thirst)
- Pituitary gland signaled to release hormone – kidney shifts water back to bloodstream (urine output decreased)
- When blood too concentrated, or blood volume/pressure too low,
hypothalamus initiates nerve impulse to brain to trigger thirst - Lags behind lack of water
Water Balance (Dehydration)
- Loss of water
- Symptoms:
- Thirst ↓
- Weakness ↓
- Exhaustion ↓
- Delirium ↓
- Can lead to death
How much Water do we Need?
- DRI ≈ 80% of daily need for water
- Males: 13 cups of fluid from beverages and drinking water
- Females: 9 cups of fluid from beverages and drinking water
- Remaining water need is met from foods consumed
- Body produces water from the breakdown of energy-yielding nutrients
- Needs will vary based on many factors
Just Water?
- Water content of various foods:
- 100% - water, diet soft drinks, plain tea, unflavoured seltzer
- 99-95% - sugar-free gelatin dessert, clear broth, Chinese cabbage, celery,
cucumber, lettuce, summer squash, decaf black coffee - 90-94% - Gatorade, grapefruit, fresh strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes
- 80-89% - soft drinks, milk, yogurt, egg white, fruit juice, low-fat cottage cheese, carrot, fresh apple
Types of Water
- Hard Water
- Soft Water
Hard Water
- High concentrations of Ca and Mg
- May protect against hypertension and heart disease
Soft Water
- Principal mineral is Na
- May aggravate hypertension and heart disease
- May more easily dissolve certain contaminants
What types of contaminants can water contain due to its properties as a universal solvent?
Bacteria, viruses, toxic pollutants, heavy metals, organic chemicals (e.g., pesticides), and spills.
How do public water systems in Canada address water contaminants?
They remove some hazards, typically using chlorine.
What is a boil-water advisory and when is it issued?
Issued by local public health units when water is contaminated with disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or parasites, or when it becomes cloudy at the source.
What are the main types of water available in Canada?
- Tap water:
- Municipal water held to minimum purity standards.
- Home purifying tap water:
- Removes contaminants like lead and chlorine but does not eliminate microorganisms resistant to chlorine.
- Bottled water:
- Federally regulated, but mineral content can vary and may be subject to provincial or territorial regulations.
What has been the history of water quality and access between the Canadian government and Indigenous communities?
There has been a long and harmful history related to water quality and access.
How long have drinking water advisories lasted in some Indigenous communities?
Many communities have faced drinking water advisories lasting over 1 year.
What is an example of a community with a long-term drinking water advisory?
Neskantaga First Nation in Ontario has been under a boil-water advisory since February 1995.
What has the Canadian federal government promised regarding water quality in Indigenous communities?
The federal government has made many promises to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems and reserves.
Where is most of the body’s water located?
Most of the body’s water is inside the cells, with some on the outside, and the remainder fills blood vessels.
What role do major minerals play in the body?
Major minerals form salts, and water follows salt.
How do cells manage salts?
Cells move salts across their membranes to prevent collapse or swelling
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are compounds that partly dissociate in water to form ions (electrically charged particles).
What happens when electrolytes are present in unequal concentrations on either side of a permeable membrane?
Water flows to the side with the more concentrated electrolytes.
What is fluid and electrolyte balance?
It is the proper amount and kind of fluid in body compartments, controlled by the movement of electrolytes.