Minerals
Inorganic elements essential to the nutrition of humans
Two groups:
Major minerals
Trace minerals
Major Minerals
Need to consume > 100 milligrams per day
At least 5 grams of the mineral in the body
Calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, magnesium, and sulfur
Trace Minerals
Need to consume > 20 milligrams per day
The body contains less than 5 grams total
Iron, zinc, copper, selenium, chromium, iodide, manganese, molybdenum, and fluoride
Minerals Contain
Do not contain carbon
Contain only atoms of the same element
Are most often found:
As individual ions
In organic compounds
Mineral Functions
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Blood formation
Building healthy bones
Maintaining a healthy immune system
Maintain Fluid Balance by
Extracellular minerals - sodium and chloride
Intracellular mineral - potassium with the help of calcium, magnesium, and sulfur
Cofactors
Cofactor - substance that helps catalyze a reaction
Minerals serve as cofactors in:
Antioxidant systems
Energy production
Muscle contraction
Nerve transmission
Minerals make up bones and teeth
Minerals make up the crystalline structure (hydroxyapatite) that gives strength to bones and teeth
Major minerals
Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
Trace mineral
Flouride
Toxicity
If ingested in high amounts, minerals can be toxic; however, mineral toxicity is rare
Toxicity most often seen with:
Large amounts of supplements
Certain conditions that interfere with the body's adaptive abilities
Toxicity not generally seen from excess
Sodium Chloride
Accounts for 90% of sodium consumed and almost all of chloride consumed
Comprised of ~40% Na+ and ~60% Cl-
1 teaspoon (5 grams) of NaCl is approximately
2 grams Na+
3 grams Cl-
Sodium
major electrolyte and cation
Is found primarily in the blood and extracellular fluid surrounding the cells
The rest of the body's sodium is located:
-On the surface of the hydroxyapatite crystals in the bone
-In the nerve tissue
-In the muscle tissue
-Pla
Chloride
major electrolyte and an ion
Is found primarily in the blood (~88%)
Remainder (~12%) of chloride
As part of hydrochloric acid in the stomach
Sodium and Chloride
When ingested, the bonds dissociate and allow the ions to mix with water
Are absorbed separately
Are excreted separately via
Kidneys
Skin
Feces
Sodium absorbed
small intestine with a small amount excreted in the feces
Blood maintains precise levels
Sodium balance
Maintained by kidneys
a) when sodium blood levels are low, aldosterone is released from the adrenal glands and stimulates the reabsorption of sodium by the kidneys
b) When sodium levels in blood are high, the adrenal glands shut off the secretion of aldos
Sodium functions
-Transmits nerve impulses and participates in muscle contraction
-Preserves food and enhances flavor
-Helps transport some nutrients
Chloride functions
-Assists in the removal of CO2 from blood
-Helps keep blood within normal pH range
-Participates in digestion as part of hydrochloric acid
Chloride daily needs
adults: 2,300 mg/day
Sodium daily needs
minimum need: 180 mg/day
adults: 1,500 mg/day
Sodium excess
High blood pressure
Calcium deficiency osteoporosis
Fluid retention
Weight gain
Stomach ulcers
Stomach cancer
Hypernatermia
Sodium deficiency
Affect fluid balance
Hyponatremia
N/V
Confusion
Loss of energy/fatigue
Muscle weakness, spasms/cramps
Coma
Food sources of Sodium and Chloride
77% comes from canned goods, cured meats, frozen or packaged meals
12% naturally occurs in foods
5% salt added during cooking
6% added at table
Chloride excess
Hyperchloremia with extreme dehydration
Chloride deficiency
Hypochloremia
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Respiratory loss
Hypertension
normal BP 120/80
Uncontrollable factors:
Family history
Aging process
Race
Controllable Factors:
Diet
Alcohol consumption
Body weight
Physical activity
Potassium
Major intracellular cation
Is absorbed in the small intestine
Kidneys maintain balance by excreting excess
Potassium Function
-Helps maintain fluid balance
-Acts as a blood buffer, helping maintain blood pH
-Helps with muscles contraction and nerve impulse conduction
-Help lower high blood pressure
-Causes kidneys to excrete excess sodium
-Helps buffer blood and preserve calcium
Potassium Daily Needs
4,700 mg/day
Potassium Excess
Hyperkalemia
Addison's disease, heart tissue
Adrenal fatigue
Leg pain after prolonged standing/sitting
Potassium Deficiency
Hypokalemia
Increased risk of hypertension, kidney stones, and loss of bone mass
Calcium
Divalent cation
Most abundant mineral in the body
Over 99% of the body's calcium is located in the bones and teeth
Calcium Function
build strong bones and teeth
Cortical bone (compact)
Trabecular bone (spongy) - more sensitive to changes in dietary calcium
Muscle contraction
Nerve transmission
Blood vessel dilation and contraction
Blood clotting
Help lower high blood pressure
Help pro
Calcium daily needs
1,000 to 1,100 mg/day
Calcium excess
hypercalcemia
constipation
interferes with absorption of other minerals
Calcium deficiency
Hypocalcemia
less dense, weakened, brittle bones
increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures
Calcium supplements
part of a compound of calcium carbonate and citrate
Consume in doses of 500 mg or less at a time, the maximum dose the body absorb efficiently at one time
Calcium from unrefined oyster shell, bone meal, and dolomite may contain lead and other toxic metals
Phosphorus
Second most abundant mineral in the body
Majority found in bone tissue
Absorbed via the small intestine
Vitamin D enhances bioavailability
Phytate, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum decrease absorption
Phosphorus in blood
When blood levels are low, parathyroid hormone
Stimulates resorption from bone
Stimulates kidney excretion
Excretion
Majority in the urine
Some lost in feces
Functions of Phosphorus
Needed for the formation of bones and teeth
Part of cell membrane structure
Needed during metabolism
Acts as a buffer in acid-base balance
Part of DNA and RNA
Phosphorus Daily Needs
700 mg/day
Phosphorus food sources
Foods from animal sources
Plant seeds
Soft drinks and colas which contain phosphoric acid
Phosphorus excess
Hyperphosphatemia (only an issue with kidney problems, calcification of body tissue)
High intake of phosphorus with low calcium intake can decrease bone mass
Phosphorus deficiency
hypophosphatemia (muscle weakness, bone pain, rickets, confusion, and death)
Magnesium
About 60% is found in bones, 25% in muscles, and the remainder in various cells
Higher dietary intake results in decreased absorption
High-fiber and whole-grain diet, which are high in phytates, lowers absorption
Intestinal absorption and kidney excretion
Magnesium functions
Needed for metabolism
Needed for synthesis of DNA, RNA, and body proteins
Needed for bone metabolism and cell membrane synthesis
Helps muscles function properly
Helps lower blood pressure
May help decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Magnesium daily needs
female: 310-320 mg/d
male: 400-420 mg/day
Magnesium excess
intestinal problems
diarrhea
cramps
nausea
Magnesium deficiency caused by
medications
poorly controlled DM
Alcohol abuse
muscle weakness, seizures, fatigue, depression, and irregular heart beat
Sulfate
found in body as part of other compounds (proteins, thiamin, biotin)
Absorbed throughout the GI tract
About 80% of sulfate eaten is absorbed
Kidneys excrete excess
Found in body tissue as part of keratin (hair, skin, and nails)
Sulfate functions
Makeup amino acids methionine and cysteine
In foods is used to prevent spoilage and discoloration
Sulfate food sources
Foods that contain methionine, cysteine, glutathione, and taurine