MINERALS

Chapter 7 Minerals

J Pistack

MINERAL FUNCTIONS

InorganicBecome part of body composition

Represent 4% of total body weight

Help to regulate bodily functions

Essential to good health

MINERAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Major (macrominerals)More than 5 grams (approximately 1 tsp) in body

Need 100 milligrams (1/50 tsp) intake daily

Trace (microminerals)—less than 5 grams

INTAKE REQUIREMENTS

Major—100 milligrams (approximately 1/50 teaspoonful) or more per day

Trace—less than 100 milligrams per day

Ultratrace—less than 1 milligram per day

MAJOR MINERALS

Calcium Sodium Potassium PhosphorusMagnesium Sulfur Chloride

CALCIUM

FunctionsProvides hardness to bones and teethAssists in the manufacture of ACHServes as catalyst in muscle

contractionsPerforms as catalyst in blood clotting

AIs (adequate intake)Ages 19 to 50 years: 1000 milligramsOlder than 50 years: 1200 milligrams

UL (upper level)—2500 milligrams for adults

CALCIUM SOURCES

Animal products—milk, sardines, clams, oysters, salmon

Plant productsRhubarb, spinach, greens,

broccoliCooking increases availabilityFortified foods

CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES

Osteoporosis—bone mineral density (BMD) Greatest risk—postmenopausal, fair-

complexioned white womenResult—fractures

SpineHipForearm (sentinel event)

Two factors affecting bone health and growth Smoking Alcohol consumption

CALCIUM DEFICIENCIES (CONTINUED)

Tetany—MEDICAL EMERGENCYLow ionized calcium in blood

(hypocalcemia)Diagnostic signs

Chvostek sign—tapping over facial nerve twitch of the facial muscles

Trousseau sign—B/P cuff pressure spasms of the forearm and hand

CALCIUM TOXICITY

Hypercalcemia Caused by diseases, usually not diet Can cause calcium deposits in soft tissues

Milk-alkali syndrome Recent causes: excessive calcium carbonate

ingestion to prevent osteoporosis

PHOSPHORUS FUNCTIONS

Calcium phosphate provides hardness to bones and teeth

Component of DNA and RNAContained in almost all enzymesPart of buffering compounds to

maintain proper blood pH

PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY AND TOXICITY

DeficiencyUncommon due to diet in healthy

personDrug interactions, disease,

starvationToxicity

Cow’s milk in very young infantsPotassium phosphate laxatives and

enemas

SODIUM FUNCTIONS AND SOURCES

FunctionsMaintains fluid balanceHelps transmit impulses along

nerves and muscle fibersSources

Table salt—2 grams per teaspoonful Milk products, processed foods,

some vegetables

POTASSIUM FUNCTIONS AND SOURCES

FunctionsHelps to control fluid balanceHelps transmit impulses along

nerves and muscle fibersPresent in all plant and animal

cellsFats, oils, and white sugar have

negligible amounts

POTASSIUM DEFICIENCIES

Alkalosis Potassium-wasting diuretics Related to diet only in severe protein-

energy malnutrition Losses due to diarrhea, vomiting,

laxative abuse Over hydration with plain water by

perspiring athletes Increased losses in urine, stool, or

sweat

POTASSIUM TOXICITY

Rarely caused by diet Diseases—diabetes, burns, crushing

injuries Correct administration of intravenous

potassium critical to health

MAGNESIUM FUNCTIONS

Associated with ADP and ATP in energy metabolism

Aids in transmission of nerve impulses

Influences cardiac and smooth muscle contractility

MAGNESIUM SOURCES

Green vegetables (magnesium is a part of the chlorophyll molecule)

Coffee, tea, cocoa

MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY AND TOXICITY

DeficiencyMalabsorption disorders—vomiting or

diarrheaExcessive alcohol use with poor

nutrition Chronic diuretic use Diabetes

Toxicity usually doesn’t build except for kidney

disease

SULFUR

Adult body contains approximately 175 grams

Component of cytoplasm of every cell. Found in hair, skin, and nails;

contributes to their shape Component of thiamin, biotin, insulin,

heparin, and the amino acids methionine and cysteine.

Combines with toxins to neutralize them.

CHLORIDE

Major role in maintaining fluid and acid–base balance

88% is found in extracellular fluids—stomach

12% is found in intracellular fluids Released by white blood cells Mostly absorbed through the small

intestine Excreted primarily by kidney as a result of

sodium regulation

TRACE MINERALS Iron Iodine Fluoride Zinc Selenium Chromium Copper Manganese Cobalt Molybdenum

ULTRATRACE

Arsenic Boron Nickel Silicon Vanadium

These appear in the UL tables but RDAs or AIs are not determinable

IRON

Essential in formation of hemoglobin

Primary storage form in body is ferritin

Selectively absorbed

IRON DEFICIENCY

Most significant worldwide deficiency

Groups at risk: infants, young children, adolescents, childbearing women

30%–50% post bariatric patients

IRON TOXICITY

Poisoning—most common cause of pediatric poisoning in United States

Hemochromatosis - is an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to retain excessive amounts of iron

Cooking in iron pots

IODINE

Found in iodide form in the bodyAverage adult body contains 15–

20 mg70%–80% found in thyroid glandMain function—synthesis of

thyroid hormonesIntake from saltwater shellfish,

fish, seaweed

FLUORIDE

Major contribution to human health relates to its role in preventing dental caries

Contained in public U.S. drinking water

Overdose rare—large volumes of instant tea or secretive eating of toothpaste with fluoride

ZINC

Adult humans contain 1.5 to 2.5 grams Found in all tissues, organs, and body

fluids 86% in skeletal muscle and bones Abundant in central nervous system,

where it affects transmission of impulses

Essential for tissue growth because it synthesizes DNA/RNA

ZINC DEFICIENCY

In childrenGrowth retardationSkeletal abnormalitiesDelayed sexual maturation

In adults Alopecia Loss of taste sensationPoor wound healingImpaired immunity

ZINC TOXICITY

Swallowed coins that released zinc into the body

Overuse of zinc-containing denture adhesive

COPPER

Found in all body tissues and most secretions

Involved in hemoglobin synthesis and cell respiration

Required for melanin pigment formation

COPPER DEFICIENCY

Occur from Taking medications that decrease stomach acidity Consuming zinc supplements—typically

40 milligrams or more per day Gastrointestinal diseases causing malabsorption Some kidney diseases increase copper loss Long-term complication of bariatric surgery

Cause Bone abnormalities Impaired immune function Depigmentation of the skin and hair

COPPER TOXICITY

Wilson disease - is a rare inherited disorder that causes excess copper to accumulate in the body. Steadily increasing amounts of copper circulating in the blood are deposited primarily in the brain, liver, kidneys, and the cornea of the eyes. WD is fatal if it is not recognized and treated

SELENIUM

Highest concentrations occur in the thyroid gland, kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas, and muscle

Integral to more than 25 enzymes that primarily function as antioxidants

SELENIUM TOXICITY AND DEFICIENCY

Rare in meat-eating humans with following exceptions:Taking phenylketonuria formulasReceiving parenteral nutrition as

sole source of nutrientsConsuming ketogenic diets – diets

that give rise to ketone bodies in metabolism.

SELENIUM DEFICIENCY

Signs and symptomsPoor growthMuscle pain and weaknessDepigmentation of hair and skinWhitening of nail beds

CHROMIUM

High concentrations are found in the kidney, liver, muscle, spleen, heart, pancreas, and bone

Vitamin C may enhance absorption

Antacids and phytate (A phosphorus-containing compound that binds with minerals in the gastrointestinal tract and decreases their bioavailability which decreases absorption)

CHROMIUM DEFICIENCY AND TOXICITY

Individuals receiving parenteral nutrition without chromium have shown these signs of deficiency: Weight loss Peripheral neuropathy Impaired glucose utilization High plasma levels of free fatty acids

Toxicity can cause Liver dysfunction/failure Anemia

MANGANESE

The body contains 10 to 20 milligrams of manganese

Found in highest concentrations in the bones, liver, pancreas, and kidneys

Involved in the formation of bone and cartilage

MANGANESE DEFICIENCY

Signs and symptomsDermatitisDecreased growth of hair and nailsChanges in hair color

COBALT

Necessary for red blood cell formation

ULTRATRACE MINERALS

Molybdenum—binds to copper, thought to diminish copper toxicities effects such as in Wilson disease

Arsenic Boron Nickel Silicon Vanadium

OTHER MINERALS THAT AFFECT HEALTH

Aluminum Lead Mercury

MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION

Most beneficial healthy minerals can be supplemented by food intake

If supplementation is necessary with medication, make sure it meets daily requirements—not too much, little

Make sure to tell health care providers what supplements you take