Calcium Chief functions in the body –Mineralization of bones and teeth –Involved in muscle contraction and relaxation, –Nerve functioning, –Blood clotting –Blood pressure –Immune defenses –As a secondary messenger inside cells Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium Balance Bones provide support for the body Bones also act as Calcium banks Calcium is added to or removed from bone to maintain blood Calcium levels which is very important Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium 1997 adequate intake (AI) –Adults years: 1000 mg/day –Adults 51 and older: 1200 mg/day –Women at risk for osteoporosis, 1500 mg/day Upper level for adults: 2500 mg/day Calcium rigor vs. calcium tetany –If blood calcium levels are not in balance, muscle contraction is affected. –If too high, muscles contract but don't relax, a condition of calcium rigor. –If too low, muscles go into tetany, where muscle contraction is constant and uncontrolled. Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium Deficiency symptoms –Stunted growth in children –Bone loss (osteoporosis) in adults Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium: In Summary Toxicity symptoms –Constipation –Increased risk of urinary stone formation and kidney dysfunction –Interference with absorption of other minerals Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium Significant sources –Milk and milk products –Small fish (with bones) –Tofu (bean curd), greens (broccoli, chard), legumes –Calcium citrate (e.g. in fortified orange juice) is well absorbed Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Osteoporosis And Calcium Bone development and disintegration and Osteoporosis –Bone density When bone forms, calcium phosphate crystallizes on a collagen matrix within the bone tissue As the crystals become denser, bone strengthens and becomes rigid During growth, long bones degrade and are rebuilt as they lengthen The mineral fluorine is needed to harden calcium deposits. –Age Till the age of 30 removal and addition of calcium keep pace. After 30 removal continues while addition is much more difficult It is critical to maximize bone strength when young by maintaining appropriate calcium intakes See next slide –Hormones See next two slides Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Osteoporosis And Calcium Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Osteoporosis And Calcium Bone density increased by –Physical activity and maintaining body weight Being underweight reduces bone density –Dietary calcium is the key to prevention of osteoporosis –Other nutrients play a supporting role Smoking –Smokers’ bones are less dense than non-smokers’ bones –Can be reversed by quitting smoking –Alcohol in moderate amounts Alcohol –Moderate alcohol intake protects bones –But alcohol abuse can lead to osteoporosis Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Osteoporosis And Calcium Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium supplements Various supplements available but best to get Calcium from natural sources If using supplements use ones which are bonded to organic acids –Calcium -carbonate, -citrate, -lactate or –malate –Select low dose supplements (500mg or less) and take several times a day –Antacids (ok if it is organic acid bonded) –If supplement is necessary take it regularly –Take supplement between meals –Avoid taking with iron rich meals (calcium inhibits iron absorption) Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Trace Minerals Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum

The Trace Minerals Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iron Ferrous (Fe ++ ) –Reduced (lost two electrons) Ferric (Fe +++ ) –Oxidized (lost three electrons) Chief functions in the body –Functions as cofactor in oxidation-reduction reactions in metabolism –Forms part of the electron carriers in the ETC (electron transport chain) –Part of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood –Part of the protein myoglobin in muscles, which makes oxygen available for muscle contraction Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iron Absorption Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning Animal foods contain Heme + Non-heme iron + MFP Plant foods contain Non-heme iron (some contain Vitamin C and citric acid)

Iron Heme ion is readily absorbed Factors enhance nonheme iron absorption –MFP factor –Vitamin C –Citric acid from foods Factors inhibit nonheme iron absorption –Phytates, Fibers, Oxalates –Calcium, Phosphorus, EDTA, Tannic acid Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iron High risk for iron deficiency –Women in their reproductive years –pregnant women –Infants and young children –Teenagers Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iron Stages of iron deficiency –Iron stores diminish –Transport iron decreases –Hemoglobin production declines Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iron Significant sources –Red meats, fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs –Legumes, dried fruits –Enriched foods Contamination iron –Leaching from iron pans especially with acid food –This is an acceptable way to get your iron but do not leave acid food in iron pans for long periods after cooking Iron supplements –Children can get poisoned by iron supplements Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iron: In Summary Deficiency symptoms –Anemia: weakness, fatigue, headaches –Impaired work performance and cognitive function Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Impaired immunity –Pale skin, nailbeds, mucous membranes, and palm creases –Concave nails –Inability to regulate body temperature –Pica

Iron: In Summary Toxicity symptoms –Rare, but see problem for children with supplements –GI distress –Iron overload: infections, fatigue, joint pain, skin pigmentation, organ damage Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

I ron Hemochromatosis –A common genetic problem disorder in which iron is readily absorbed and stored, –Toxicity can lead to weakness, headache, liver disease, diabetes, arthritis, increased bacterial infections and heart failure. –Men are at greater risk because they do not lose iron regularly need less iron and consume more calories, including enriched products, Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc Roles Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc Chief functions in the body –Part of many enzymes Metalloenzymes –Important for many metabolic reactions –Important for storage, synthesis and release of insulin (not part of insulin’s action) –Involved in making genetic material (DNA and RNA synthesis )and proteins, immune reactions, transport of vitamin A, taste perception, wound healing, the making of sperm, and the normal development of the fetus Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc Absorption –Metallothionein is needed to bind to zinc in the intestinal cells –Zinc and copper both bind metallothionein Enteropancreatic circulation Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc Zinc supplementation –Not required in developed countries –In developing countries, it protects against childhood illnesses –Effectiveness of zinc lozenges is not clear Only zinc gluconate has been shown to be effective against colds. Metallic aftertaste in the mouth. Flavoring agents added to the gluconate interfere with zinc absorption Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc Significant sources –Protein- containing foods –Red meats, shellfish –Whole grains Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc Deficiency symptoms –Growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, impaired immune function, hair loss, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Zinc: In Summary Toxicity symptoms –Loss of appetite, impaired immunity, low HDL, copper and iron deficiencies Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Iodine Iodine vs. iodide Chief functions in the body –A component of two thyroid hormones that help to regulate growth, development, and metabolic rate Significant sources –Iodized salt, seafood, bread, dairy products, plants grown in iodine-rich soil (Puget Sound soil is not) and animals fed those plants Deficiency disease –Simple goiter Cells of the thyroid glands enlarge in an effort to try to get more iodine –Cretinism Caused by severe iodine deficiency in pregnancy Mental and physical retardation in infants Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Deficiency symptoms –Serious problems in learning in children with deficiency –Can be treated and performance improves Toxicity symptoms –Underactive thyroid gland, elevated TSH, goiter Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning Iodine

Selenium Chief functions in the body –Defends against oxidation i.e. protects against free radicals works in tandem with vitamin E. –Regulates thyroid hormone Significant sources –Seafood, meat –Whole grains, vegetables (depending on soil content) Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Selenium Deficiency symptoms –Predisposition to heart disease characterized by cardiac tissue becoming fibrous (Keshan disease) Toxicity symptoms –Only from supplements (unheard of otherwise) –Loss and brittleness of hair and nails –Skin rash, fatigue, irritability, and nervous system disorders –Garlic breath odor Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Copper Chief functions in the body –Necessary for absorption and use of iron in the formation of hemoglobin –Part of several enzymes Absorption –Zinc and copper both bind metallothionein Significant sources –Seafood –Nuts, whole grains, seeds, legumes Deficiency symptoms –Anemia, bone abnormalities Toxicity symptoms –Liver damage Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Manganese Chief functions in the body –Cofactor for several enzymes Significant sources –Nuts, whole grains, leafy vegetables, tea –Iron and Calcium may inhibit Manganese absorption –Phytates will bind up manganese Deficiency symptoms –Rare Toxicity symptoms –Nervous system disorders Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Fluoride Chief functions in the body –Involved in the formation of bones and teeth –Helps to make teeth resistant to decay Significant sources –Drinking water (if fluoride containing or fluoridated) –Tea, seafood Deficiency symptoms –Susceptibility to tooth decay Toxicity symptoms –Fluorosis (pitting and discoloration of teeth) Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

U.S. Population With Fluoridated Water Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Chromium Chief functions in the body –Enhances insulin action Significant sources –Meats (especially liver) –Whole grains, brewer’s yeast Deficiency symptoms –Diabetes-like condition Toxicity symptoms –None reported Chromium picolinate supplements –Benefits are not clear from long term studies Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Molybdenum Chief functions in the body Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Cofactor for several enzymes Significant sources –Legumes, cereals –Organ meats Deficiency symptoms –Unknown Toxicity symptoms –None reported –Reproductive effects in animals

Other Trace Minerals Nickel –functions as a cofactor. –Liver damage can result with nickel deficiency. Silicon –may be needed for bone calcification Vanadium –Needed for growth, bone development and reproduction Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Other Trace Minerals Boron –Boron is needed to maintain bone, and possibly brain, tissue Cobalt –Component of Vitamin B12. However, we can not manufacture Vitamin B12 from cobalt, so we have no requirement for cobalt. We get it along with Vitamin B12 from foods Arsenic –promotes growth in chickens (added to chicken feed), but does not do so in humans –Used to treat leukemia –Notorious poison, humans can habituate to it – senic_project_countries.html#USAhttp://phys4.harvard.edu/%7Ewilson/arsenic/countries/ar senic_project_countries.html#USA Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Contaminant Minerals Heavy metals –Lead Similar to iron, calcium and zinc Can displace them in metabolism Not removed from the body Accumulates in bone marrow and brain Sources –Old paint –Old plumbing –Leaded gasoline (since the 70s the cars have shifted to unleaded gasoline Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Contaminant Minerals Mercury –Methyl mercury is toxic –Mercury blocks cofactor sites and interferes with metabolism –The “ Mad Hatter” comes from mental problems caused by mercury from felt used in making hats –Mercury gets concentrated in fish –So children and pregnant women should restrict fish consumption Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Phytochemicals And Functional Foods Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Phytochemicals And Functional Foods

Defending against cancer Defending against heart disease Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Functional foods... –from nature –from manufacturers Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Phytochemicals And Functional Foods Functional foods –Inconclusive research –Food labels are not required so amounts are not clear –Safety – they can act as drugs but they do not go through FDA –Overall healthfulness of products As in everything else, best if you get it in the natural form Adding phytochemicals does not convert an otherwise unhealthy product into a healthy one Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning