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Questions and Answers
What role does calcium play in the human body?
Which food source is the most effective for increasing calcium intake?
Which statement accurately describes phosphorus in the body?
How does the body enhance calcium absorption?
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What condition is primarily caused by inadequate calcium storage in adulthood?
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Which groups of people absorb the highest percentage of calcium?
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Which mineral primarily combines with calcium for dental and bone structure?
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Which condition may result from a deficiency of phosphorus in the diet?
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What role does calcium play in the body?
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Which of the following is a primary source of phosphorus?
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What is a health effect associated with magnesium deficiency?
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What strategy can enhance mineral absorption in the body?
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Which disease is most commonly linked to a deficiency in calcium?
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Which mineral deficiency can lead to weakened bones and increased fracture risk?
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What is a common consequence of phosphorus deficiency?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of magnesium in the body?
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What is a significant function of calcium in the body?
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Which of the following foods is a rich source of phosphorus?
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How does magnesium impact health?
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Which factor can enhance the absorption of iron?
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What condition can result from a deficiency in copper?
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Which mineral absorption is negatively affected by a high intake of zinc?
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What health issues can arise from excessive intake of mineral supplements?
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What type of minerals are required in amounts greater than 100 mg per day?
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Study Notes
Minerals Overview
- Minerals are individual chemical elements that cannot be broken down further
- They are essential when dietary inadequacy causes physiological or structural abnormality.
- Dietary minerals are classified by the amount needed in the diet each day:
- Major minerals: need 100mg or more per day
- Trace minerals: need less than 100mg per day
- Ultratrace minerals: trace amounts in the diet, not essential to human health
- Minerals are not energy-yielding, but they are essential for human health
Mineral Absorption and Storage
- Bioavailability of minerals is affected by age, gender, genetic variables, nutritional status, diet, prescription drugs, and fiber content of the diet.
- Most minerals are absorbed in the small intestine.
- Fiber, phytic acid, and oxalic acid can decrease mineral absorption.
- Higher fiber diets can lower the absorption of iron and zinc.
- Vitamin C intake increases iron absorption.
- Vitamin D intake increases calcium absorption.
- Excess intake of one mineral can decrease the absorption of another
- Higher zinc intake can lower copper absorption
- Minerals are stored in various tissues, some remain in the bloodstream.
- Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and fluoride are stored in bone.
- Iron, copper, zinc, and some trace minerals are stored in the liver.
- Other minerals are stored in muscle tissue, organs, and glands.
Mineral Toxicities
- Supplements pose the biggest risk for toxicity.
- Avoid intakes above 100% of Daily Values on supplement labels.
- Harmful interactions with other nutrients can occur.
Major Minerals
- Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulfur.
Calcium
- Functions:
- Bone and teeth:
- Main structural component
- Reservoir of calcium supply for the blood
- In the blood/fluids:
- Disease prevention: May protect against hypertension, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and colon cancer.
- Blood clotting
- Muscle contraction (including heartbeat)
- Nerve function
- Bone and teeth:
- 99% of calcium in the body is found in bones
- 1% of calcium is in fluids and cells
- Blood calcium is regulated by a complex hormone system:
- When blood calcium is high, bone stores calcium, kidneys excrete more calcium, and intestine absorption is limited.
- When blood calcium is low, bone releases calcium, kidney excretion decreases, and vitamin D enhances intestine absorption.
- Sources:
- Milk and milk products:
- Powdered fat-free milk can be added to mixed dishes to increase calcium intake.
- Tofu, corn tortillas, some nuts/seeds, broccoli, sardines with bones.
- Calcium-fortified soy milk, almond milk, rice milk.
- Milk and milk products:
- Absorption:
- The body absorbs more calcium when needed.
- Pregnant women absorb 50%.
- Children/teens absorb 50-60%.
- Adults absorb 25%.
- Factors that enhance calcium absorption:
- Stomach acid.
- Vitamin D.
- Growing stage.
- Calcium deficiency.
- Factors that inhibit calcium absorption:
- Lack of stomach acid.
- Vitamin D deficiency.
- High phosphorus intake.
- Anti-nutritional factors.
- The body absorbs more calcium when needed.
Bone Loss
- Osteoporosis: When calcium storage in bones is not adequate.
- In adulthood, bone mass decreases, resulting in weak bones and a risk of fractures.
Phosphorus
- The second most abundant mineral in the body.
- Functions:
- Bone and teeth: 85% found combined with calcium for structure
-
Other functions:
- Buffer system
- DNA/RNA
- Assists with energy metabolism
- Phospholipids crucial to cell membranes
- Sources: Foods rich in protein are the best sources.
- Easily satisfy our needs.
Water
- The main constituent of the body
- Functions:
- Carries nutrients and waste products
- Maintains the structure of large molecules
- Participates in metabolic reactions
- Solvent for minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and others
- Lubricant and cushion around joints, inside the eyes, the spinal cord, and in amniotic fluid during pregnancy
- Regulation of body temperature
- Maintains blood volume
Water Balance
- Water balance refers to the balance between water intake and water excretion.
- It keeps the body's water content constant.
- Dehydration occurs when water intake is less than water loss
- Intoxication occurs with excessive water intake
Body Fluids and Minerals
- The movement of water is freely across cell membranes.
- The body cannot directly control water movement.
- Water follows salt; therefore, if the body controls salt movement it can also control water movement.
- Salt (sodium chloride) is a compound with positive and negative ions.
- When salt is dissolved in water, it gets separated into ions:
- Positively charged particle = Cation
- Negatively charged particle = Anion
- Ions carry an electrical charge, which is why they are called electrolytes.
Electrolyte Balance
- Cell membranes are selectively permeable, which means they allow the passage of some molecules but restrict the passage of others.
- Some electrolytes mostly remain outside the cell (sodium, chloride).
- Some electrolytes mostly remain inside the cell (potassium, magnesium, phosphate).
- Ion concentration controls the amount of water inside and outside the cells.
- The balance of electrolytes is crucial to regulating body fluids.
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Description
This quiz covers essential information on dietary minerals, including their classification into major, trace, and ultratrace minerals. It also discusses how factors like diet and fiber content affect mineral absorption and storage in the body. Test your knowledge about the role of minerals in human health and their bioavailability.
