Nutr. Minerals

mineral functions

-become part of body composition-respresent 4% of total body weight-help regulate bodily functions-essential to good health

Major minerals (macrominerals)

> 5 grams (~1 tsp) present in body

trace minerals (microminerals)

< 5 grams (~1 tsp) present in body

macrominerals

-sodium-potassium-chloride-calcium-phosphorus-magnesium-sulfur*Salty Potato Chips Contain Pretty Much Salt

microminerals

-iron-iodine-fluoride-zinc

calcium functions

-provides hardness to bones and teeth-serves as catalyst in muscle contractions-performs as catalyst in blood clotting

calcium sources

1) Animal products-milk-sardines-clams-oysters-salmon2) Plant products-rhubarb-spinach-greenss-broccoli-fortified foods*cooking increases availability

calcium deficiencies

1) OSP-progressive systemic disease that leads to bone fragility2)Osteopenia-body reabsorbs old bone quicker than it can be replaced3) Rickets in children4) Tetany-low ionized calcium in blood (hypocalcemia)-Dx:a)Chvostek sign: tapping over facial nerves causes twitch of facial musclesb)Trousseau sign: BP cuff pressure causes spasms of forearm and hand

calcium toxicity

1) Hypercalcemia-caused by diseases, usually not diet-can cause calcium deposits in soft tissues2) Milk-alkali syndrome-recent causes: excessive calcium carbonate ingestion to prevent OSP-self medicating antacids

sodium functions

-maintains fluid balance-helps transmit impulses along nerves and muscle fibers

sodium sources

-table salt (2 g/ tsp full)-milk products-processed foods-some veggies

sodium deficiencies

-most commonly due to disease or treatment losses-hyponatremia

sodium toxicity

-in health, excess sodium secreted by kidney-in HTN, heart disease, or kidney disease: sodium control important

potassium functions

-helps to control fluid balance-helps transmit impulses along nerves and muscle fibers (cardiac muscle is sensitive to change)

potassium sources

-present in all plant and animal cells-best sources found in unprocessed foods-salt substitutes that often replace sodium w/ potassium

potassium deficiencies

-related to diet only in severe protein-energy malnutrition-losses d/t diarrhea, vomiting, laxative abuse-losses d/t non-potassium sparing diuretics

potassium toxicity

-rarely caused by diet-diseases (metabolic response/fluid volume disturbance)a)diabetesb)burnsc)crushing injuries-results from renal failure and blood transfusions-tx focus on renal excretion

chloride function

major role in maintaining fluid and acid-base balance

chloride deficiency

can result from excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting that can lead to electrolyte disturbance

chloride toxicity

typically the result of renal insufficiency and l/t fluid retention

phosphorus functions

-calcium phosphate provides hardness to bones and teeth-component of DNA, RNA

phosphorus sources

1)Animal sources-lean meat2)Plant sources-nuts-legumes

phosphorus deficiency

uncommon in diet of a healthy person

phosphorus toxicity

potassium phosphate laxatives and enemas

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 a part of the chlorophyll molecule)-nuts-beans-whole grains-wheat-oat bran

magnesium deficiency

*often aligned w/ potassium: when K is low, Mg can be low-malabsorption disorders, or vomiting or diarrhea-excessive alcohol use w/ poor nutrition-chronic diuretic use-muscle spasm

magnesium toxicity

kidney disease

sulfur function

-found in hair, skin, nails-collagen structure

sulfur sources

animal-based proteins

sulfur deficiency

only those w/ severe protein deficiency lack this mineral

sulfur toxicity

none reported

iron functions

-essential in formation of hemoglobin-immune system

iron sources

1) Shellfish2) Organ meats-red meat-legumes

iron deficiency

-iron deficiency anemia-most significant worldwide deficiency-30%-50% post bariatric pts

iron toxicity

-poisoning-hemochromatosis (iron metabolism)-alcoholism (excess iron in alcoholic beverages)-cooking in iron pots

iodine function

synthesis of thyroid hormones

iodine sources

-iodized salt-plants, animals from sea-dairy products

iodine deficiency

-enlargement of thyroid (goiter)-most prevalent form of preventable mental retardation-hypothyroidism s/s:a)dry hair and skinb)coldc)tiredd)constipatede)depressed

iodine toxicity

-unlikely in U.S-goiter

fluoride functions

-mineralization of bones and teeth-major contribution to human health r/t its role in preventing dental caries

fluoride sources

-contained in public U.S drinking water-toothpaste-tablets/dental tx

fluroride deficiency

-dental caries-weak bones

fluroride toxicity

dental fluorosis

zinc functions

-essential for good health-immune system-wound healing

zinc sources

-cereal-meat-shellfish

zinc deficiency

-correlates directly w/ protein consumption1) In children:-growth retardation-skeletal abnormalities-delayed sexual maturation2) In adults:-alopecia -poor wound healing-impaired immunity

zinc toxicity

-common cause from dietary supplements, including MVI-should be obtained through food NOT supplementation

other minerals that affect health

1) Aluminum-metal found frequently in pharmaceutical products for hemodialysis and TPN2) Lead-inhalation-ingestion-skin contact3) Merciry-aquatic contamination

supplementation

-most can be supplemented by food intake-if meds necessary, make sure it does NOT exceed daily requirements-tell HCP what supplements you take (reconciliation)