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Chapter Seven: Part One: Major Minerals
Chapter Seven: Part One: Major Minerals
Part One:
Major
Minerals
Food & Nutritional Health NUT SCI 242
Karen Lacey, MS, RD, CD Spring 2005
Minerals
Minerals:
small, naturally
occurring, inorganic, chemical
elements
Serve as structural components
& in many vital processes in the
body
Inorganic: being composed of
matter other than plant or animal
Similarities to Vitamins
Do
I. Major Minerals
Major
mineral: an essential
mineral nutrient found in the
body in amounts greater than
5 grams
A. Calcium
Most
Calcium Functions
(Contd)
Essential
for muscle
contraction
Essential for blood clotting
Helps maintain normal blood
pressure
Nutritional Problems
Deficiency
Symptoms
Stunted
growth
in children
Bone loss
(osteoporosis) in
adults
Toxicity
Symptoms
Excess
is usually
excreted so
toxicity is rare
= 1000 mg 1300 mg
Foods
Milk/milk products
Dark green vegetables
Some fish & shellfish
Tofu & other legumes
Fortified foods (i.e.: juices)
BIOAVAILABILITY
Absorption
Fiber
Excretion
(binders)
Protein
B. Phosphorous
2nd
NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS
Deficiency
symptoms
Muscle
weakness
Bone pain
Phosphorous
deficiency is rare
Found widely in
foods
Toxicity
symptoms
May
cause calcium
excretion and
hinder absorption
= 700 mg
Foods
Meat,
C. Sodium
An
electrolyte
Electrolyte: compound that partially
dissociates in water to form ions
Helps to maintain the bodys fluid
balance
Chief positive charged ion outside
of cells
Functions
Helps
DRI
Minimum requirements = 500 mg
Daily Value = 2400 mg
Table salt (Sodium Chloride)
Processed
symptoms:
Muscle cramps
Mental apathy
Loss of appetite
Toxicity symptoms:
High blood pressure
history
Race (African American)
Age
Excess alcohol intake
Sedentary lifestyle
D. Potassium
An
Deficiency Symptoms
Muscle
weakness
Paralysis
Confusion
Can cause death
Accompanies dehydration
Unlikely but can occur with increase in
sodium intake
Toxicity Symptoms
Causes
muscular weakness
Triggers vomiting
minimum requirement =
2000 mg
Whole foods- including meats, milk,
fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes
The more processed a food, the less
potassium it contains
E. Chloride
An
electrolyte
Functions:
Part of hydrochloric acid found
in the stomach
Necessary for proper digestion
Fluid balance
Deficiency Symptoms
Growth
failure in children
Muscle cramps
Mental apathy
Loss of appetite
Toxicity Symptoms
Normally
harmless
Disturbed acid-base balance
F. Sulfur
Functions:
Present
in all proteins
(structure)
Part of biotin & thiamin
Part of insulin
symptoms:
None known because protein
deficiency would occur first
Toxicity symptoms:
Rare, but when occurs
depresses growth
Food Sources
All
G. Magnesium
Functions:
Deficiency Symptoms
Weakness
Confusion
Depressed
pancreatic hormone
secretion
Growth failure
Muscle spasms
Toxicity Symptoms
Low
blood pressure
Lack of coordination
Coma or death
Food Sources
Nuts
Legumes
Whole
grains
Dark green vegetables
Seafood
Chocolate & cocoa