MINERALS Mutaz Amin Minerals Minerals are inorganic elements

MINERALS Mutaz Amin

Minerals • Minerals are inorganic elements required in the diet. • Account for ~4% of body weight. • They are needed in small amounts (mg or μg).

Main role of minerals • They form the structure of bones and teeth • They control body fluids • They help enzymes to work (cofactors) • They help nerves to send signals. • They help muscles to function. •

Classification of minerals • Macrominerals • They are required in amounts greater than 100 mg/day. • Microminerals • They are required in amounts of 100 mg/day or less

Macro-minerals • Calcium • Phosphorus • Magnesium • Sodium • Potassium • Chlorine Micro-minerals • Chromium • Cobalt • Copper • Fluorine • Iodine • Iron • Manganese • Molybdenum • Selenium • Zinc

Calcium • RDA: Adult 1000 mg/day. • Sources: Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, legumes, tuna.

Functions of Calcium Nerve impulse Bone matrix Ca++ Blood clotting Muscle contraction

Calcium in the body • 99% in bones and teeth in the form of hydroxyapatite. • 1% in blood ionized form (Ca 2+)

Calcium deficiency • Rickets in children • Osteomalacia in adults • Osteoporosis in adults

Phosphorus • RDA: Adult 800 mg/day • Sources: dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, whole grains are good sources

Functions of Phosphorus • Formation of bone and teeth • Structure of cell membranes • Energy metabolism (ATP) • Nucleic acid formation

Deficiency of phosphorus • It is found in many foods and is unlikely to be in short supply in diets. • Deficiency signs: similar to calcium deficiency, weakness, impaired growth.

Sodium • RDA: Adult 500 mg/day • Sources: Table salt, Preserved foods, Cheese

Functions of Na • Extracellular cation • Regulates body water content • Nerve function. • Absorption of glucose from the intestine.

Diseases of Na • Deficiency: Hypotension • Excess intake: Hypertension

Potassium • RDA: Adult 1600 mg/day • Sources: Fruits, Vegetables, Milk, Coffee

Functions of Potassium • Regulate water balance in the body • Muscle function • Nerve function

Hypokalemia • Dehydration • Muscular weakness -paralysis • Mental confusion • Cardiac arrest • Death

Hyperkalemia • Cardiac arrest ("heart attack"). • Weakness and paralysis.

Chloride • RDA: 1400 mg per day • Sources: Table salt ( Na. Cl), olives

Functions of Cl • Fluid balance • Digestion of food ( HCl formation)

Diseases of Cl • Deficiency: muscle cramps • Excess: fluid retention

Microminerals

Iron • RDA: Females = 15 mg per day, Males = 10 mg per day • Sources: Liver, eggs, meats, fruits, vegetables

Absorption of Iron • Iron from animal sources is easier for the body to absorb. • Absorption is increased by ascorbic acid • Absorption is decreased by Ca 2+, phytates and tannins.

Functions of Iron • Formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin • Energy release

Deficiency of Iron

Excess of Iron Hemochromatosis • Mostly in males who take iron supplements or post menopausal females. • Stores of iron can increase over time and accumulate in liver causing liver toxic levels.

Zinc • RDA: 15 mg per day • Sources: Meats Fish Vegetables, products dairy Grains

Functions of Zinc • cofactor for many enzymes • Growth and repair. • Normal reproductive development. • Skin formation and wound healing

Deficiency of Zinc • Growth failure in children • Sexual retardation • Infections • Poor wound healing • Loss of taste and smell