1. Chapter 12 & 13
THE MINERALS

2. The Minerals - An Overview
Inorganic elements
Retain their chemical identity in the body
Can be toxic if taken in excess
Variable bioavailability
Binders that prevent absorption
Phytates
Oxalates
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

3. The Minerals

4. Sodium Chief functions in the body -Principal extracellular cation
Maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance
Assists in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

5. Sodium 1989 estimated minimum requirement for adults: 500 mg/day
Daily Value (used on food labels): 2400 mg/day
Sources:
-Table salt: 1 tsp. NaCl=~2 gm Na
-Large amounts in processed or cured
foods
-Soy sauce
-Moderate amounts in meats, milks,
breads, and vegetables

6. Sodium
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

7. Sodium Deficiency symptoms Toxicity symptoms
Muscle cramps, mental apathy, loss of appetite
Toxicity symptoms
Edema, acute hypertension
High intake may contribute to high blood pressure
High intake also associated with calcium/bone loss (osteoporosis)
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

8. Potassium Principal intracellular cation Chief functions in the body
Maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance
Regulates acid-base balance
Facilitates many reactions
Supports cell integrity
Assists in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions (especially heart)
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

9. Potassium 1989 estimated minimum requirement for adults:2000 mg/day
Recommendation: 3500 mg/day
Significant sources
All whole foods
Meats, milks, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes
Salt substitutes
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

10. Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

11. Potassium
Deficiency-usually results from excessive losses due to diabetic acidosis, dehydration, prolonged N/V, certain medications (diuretics, cathartics, steroids)
Symptoms:
Muscular weakness
Paralysis
Confusion
Associated with high blood pressure
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

12. Potassium Toxicity-unlikely unless supplement abuse or kidney disease
Symptoms
Muscular weakness
Vomiting
If given into a vein, can stop the heart

13. Calcium Most abundant mineral in the body Chief functions in the body
Mineralization of bones and teeth
Involved in muscle contraction and relaxation, nerve functioning, blood clotting
Blood pressure, immune defenses
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

14. Calcium Balance
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

15. Calcium 1997 adequate intake (AI) Upper level for adults: 2500 mg/day
Adults years: 1000 mg/day
Adults 51 & older: mg/day
-Postmenopausal women:
1500 mg/day
Upper level for adults:
2500 mg/day
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

16. Calcium Significant sources Milk and milk products
Small fish (canned with bones)
Tofu (bean curd), greens (broccoli, chard), legumes
Calcium-fortified products
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

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

18. Osteoporosis & Calcium
8X more common in women due to lower intakes, smaller body size & less bone mass; loss begins earlier & accelerates after menopause

19. Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

20. Osteoporosis & Calcium
Dietary calcium is the key to prevention
Other nutrients play a supporting role
Physical activity and body weight
Smoking and alcohol
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

21. Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

22. Calcium 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

23. Phosphorus 2nd most abundant mineral in the body
Chief functions in the body:
Mineralization of bones and teeth
Part of every cell
Important in genetic material, part of phospholipids
Used in energy metabolism
Used in buffer systems that maintain acid-base balance
Phospholipids – transport of fats
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

24. Phosphorous 1997 RDA for adults: 700 mg/day
Upper level for adults (19-70 years): 4000 mg/day
Significant sources
All animal tissues (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk), whole grains, legumes

26. Phosphorous Deficiency symptoms Toxicity symptoms
Muscular weakness, bone pain
Toxicity symptoms
Calcification of nonskeletal tissues, particularly the kidneys

27. Magnesium Chief functions in the body Bone mineralization
Component of teeth
Critical to enzymes for energy/protein metabolism
Muscle relaxation/contraction
Nerve impulse transmission
Building of protein
Functioning of immune system
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

28. Magnesium
1997 RDA
Men (19-30 years): 400 mg/day
Women (19-30 years): 310 mg/day
Upper level for adults: 350 mg nonfood magnesium/day
Significant sources
Nuts, legumes
Whole grains
Dark green leafy vegetables
Seafood
Chocolate, cocoa
“Hard” water

29. Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

30. Magnesium
Deficiency can result from vomiting & diarrhea, alcoholism, protein malnutrition, diuretic use, renal failure
Deficiency symptoms
Weakness
Confusion
If extreme, convulsions, tetany (rigidity especially of eye and face muscles), hallucinations, and difficulty in swallowing
In children, growth failure
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

31. Magnesium Toxicity: possible in elderly who may abuse Mg-containing
laxatives & antacids
Toxicity symptoms
From nonfood sources only
Diarrhea, alkalosis, dehydration

32. Chloride Chlorine (Cl2) vs. chloride ion (Cl-) Roles in body
Principal extracellular anion
Chief functions in the body
Maintains normal fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
Part of hydrochloric acid found in the stomach, necessary for proper digestion
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

33. Chloride 1989 estimated minimum requirement for adults:
750 mg/day (no RDA established)
Significant sources
Table salt, soy sauce
Moderate amounts in meats, milks, eggs
Large amounts in processed foods
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

34. Chloride Deficiency symptoms Toxicity symptom
Do not occur under normal circumstances
Toxicity symptom
Vomiting
Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

35. Sulfur Chief functions in the body:
-Occurs as part of thiamin & certain
amino acids
-Role in protein structure
-Concentrated in skin, hair, & nails
Sources: all protein foods
Deficiency: only in severe protein deficiency