41 Questions
What is the term used to describe trace elements that are needed by the body in very small amounts?
Micronutrients
If someone suggests drinking milk to address a low iron level, what false assumption might they be making?
Milk enhances iron absorption
What mineral is associated with the prevention of goiter and is commonly found in seafood?
Selenium
If a person's family members have goiter and dislike seafood, what mineral deficiency could be contributing to their condition?
Iodine
What mineral is often added to water supplies to prevent tooth decay?
Fluoride
How can diet affect the bioavailability of trace minerals?
Enhance or inhibit mineral absorption
What is the term used for elements needed in even smaller amounts than trace elements?
Ultratrace elements
'Fluoridation is overdone' is an argument mainly related to which mineral?
Fluoride
What role does iron play in the body?
Aiding oxygen transport in blood
What are some important trace minerals mentioned in the text?
Iron, zinc, selenium, iodine
What is the main focus of discussing trace mineral deficiency in the text?
Impact on metabolism, body composition, and immune function
Which minerals are involved in the absorption, transport, storage, and turnover of iron as per the text?
Iron and copper
What does the term 'trace elements' refer to in the context of nutrition?
Essential elements necessary in small quantities for health
What is the role of trace minerals as highlighted in the text?
Cofactors for enzymes and participants in oxidation-reduction reactions
How do trace minerals differ from major minerals in terms of dietary requirements?
They have lower daily intake requirements
What can be a consequence of fluoridation of water supply discussed in the text?
Deterioration of dental health
Which minerals are NOT classified as trace or ultratrace minerals according to the text?
Sodium & calcium
What aspect of metabolism do trace minerals affect?
Metabolism, body composition, and immune function
What are the consequences of severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy?
Birth defects
How does iodine toxicity affect the synthesis of thyroid hormones?
Inhibits synthesis of thyroid hormones
What is the primary function of copper in the body?
Participates in electron transport chain
How is copper primarily absorbed by the body?
Through the digestive system
What is the main role of iodine in the body?
Regulating body temperature
What is a common symptom of iodine deficiency?
Cold intolerance
Which condition can result from severe iodine deficiency?
Stunted growth; deaf, mute, mentally retarded
How does iodine toxicity affect the thyroid gland?
Causes abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland
What happens to excess copper in the body?
Filtered by kidneys and excreted in urine
What is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in young children in the U.S.?
Accidental iron overdose
Which function does zinc serve as a cofactor for major enzymes?
Activates catalytic ability
What is the key component of the enzyme that activates ____ in the retina?
Vitamin A
Which system is vital to fighting infection and requires zinc?
Immune system
What inhibits the absorption of zinc?
Phytate
What percentage of zinc is absorbed compared to iron?
10-35%
Which condition can lead to severe organ damage and chronic disease due to chronic iron overload?
Genetic defect
What is the role of chromium in glucose metabolism?
Enhances the effects of insulin
How is chromium transported in the body?
By transferrin and albumin
In what form is chromium excreted from the body?
In urine
What inhibits the absorption of dietary copper?
High molybdenum intake
Which trace element is known to be an enzyme cofactor?
Molybdenum
What are sources of molybdenum in the diet?
Peas, beans, breakfast cereals, organ meats
'Difficult to determine' refers to the evaluation of chromium ___.
Deficiency
Study Notes
What Are Trace Elements?
- Trace elements, also known as trace minerals, are essential nutrients required in small amounts, typically in milligram or microgram quantities.
- They differ from major minerals in terms of dietary requirements and total amount in the body.
- Importance of trace elements:
- Cofactors for enzymes
- Components of hormones
- Participants in oxidation-reduction reactions
Iron
- Functions:
- Component of hemoglobin and myoglobin
- Essential for oxygen transport and storage
- Component of enzymes involved in energy metabolism
- Deficiency:
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Poor concentration
- Increased infections
- Toxicity:
- Accidental iron overdose leading cause of poisoning deaths in young children in the US
- Genetic defect: hemochromatosis, causes excessive iron absorption and chronic iron overload
Zinc
- Functions:
- Cofactor for major enzymes
- Helps fold proteins into functional shapes
- Helps control diverse functions, including gene expression, cell death, and nerve transmission
- Enzymes:
- Provide structural integrity or activate catalytic ability
- Nucleic acid metabolism linked to gene expression
- Immune system vital to fighting infection
- Vision key component of enzyme that activates retinal
- Regulation:
- Absorption similar to iron, only about 10-35% of zinc absorbed
- Phytate inhibits absorption
- Transportation, distribution, and excretion circulates bound to protein
Iodine
- Functions:
- Thyroid hormone production
- Regulation of body temperature, basal metabolic rate, reproduction, and growth
- Absorption and metabolism:
- Effective absorption (95-100%)
- Mostly excreted in urine
- Deficiency:
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
- Cold intolerance, weight gain, sluggishness, decreased body temperature
- Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy: prenatal death, birth defects, cretinism (stunted growth, deaf, mute, mentally retarded), and infant mortality
- Toxicity:
- High amounts of iodine inhibit synthesis of thyroid hormones
- Stimulated growth of the thyroid gland
Copper
- Functions:
- Acts as antioxidant
- Participates in electron transport chain
- Biosynthesis of melanin, collagen, and elastin
- Assists with myelinization
- Component of ceruloplasmin
- Absorption and metabolism:
- ~50% absorbed
- Albumin transports copper from intestinal cells to liver
- 2/3rd incorporated into ceruloplasmin
- Body stores little copper
Other Trace Elements
- Selenium:
- Acts as antioxidant
- Component of glutathione peroxidase
- Chromium:
- Enhances effects of insulin
- Absorption low and tied to need
- Transportation by transferrin and albumin
- Excretion in urine
- Manganese:
- Enzyme cofactor
- Absorption efficient
- Dietary copper only significant inhibitor
- Sources: peas, beans, breakfast cereals, and organ meats
- Molybdenum:
- Enzyme cofactor
- Absorption efficient
- Dietary copper only significant inhibitor
- Sources: peas, beans, breakfast cereals, and organ meats
- Fluoride:
- Important for bone and tooth development
- Component of bone and tooth enamel
- Deficiency: tooth decay and osteoporosis
- Other trace elements and ultratrace elements:
- Arsenic, boron, nickel, silicon, and vanadium
- Thought to be essential in very low amounts, but specific biochemical functions unknown
Test your knowledge on trace minerals including iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, and molybdenum. This quiz covers the importance and sources of these essential nutrients in human nutrition as outlined in Chapter 13 by Dr. M. Johnson for the course FCSC-332B.
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