Module VI: Water and Minerals

Learning Task

1. TRUE or FALSE. Justify your answer

Most
 people have an inadequate intake of fluid.
Allminerals consumed in excess of need are excreted in the urine.
Sodium
 is the most plentiful mineral in the body.

 An increase in sodium intake is associated with an increase in blood pressure.

Calcium
 supplements are a safe and effective way to ensure an adequate calcium intake.
Foods high in sodium tend to be low in potassium, and foods high in potassium tend to be

low in sodium.
Major minerals are more important for health than trace minerals.

For most people, thirst is a reliable indicator of fluid needs.

Trace mineral balance is strongly influenced by interactions with other minerals and dietary
 factors.
A chronically low intake of calcium leads to hypocalcemia.


1. While the eight 8-oz glasses of fluid prescribed daily are not ingested by many healthier
adults, the body is able to sustain homeostasis over a large spectrum of intakes.
2. While the body loses certain excess minerals such as sodium and potassium through urinary
excretion, through changing the rate of mineral absorption (e.g., iron, calcium), homeostasis of
other minerals is maintained.
3. Calcium is the body's most abundant mineral. For most people, the most common mineral in
the diet is sodium.
4. A rise in the consumption of sodium is related to an increase in blood pressure. Furthermore,
the dose-dependent increase in blood pressure is gradual, constant, and tends to occur without
a significant threshold over the period of sodium consumption.
5. Instead of supplements, people are advised to get their nutrition from fruit. Recent studies
indicate that calcium supplements can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, with or
without vitamin D.
6. Foods high in sodium tend to be low in potassium (for example, refined foods such as frozen
appetizers) and foods high in potassium tend to be low in sodium (for example, whole grains
and fresh vegetables).
7. The meanings of "major" and "trace" refer to the relative quantity of the mineral that is
present in the body, not to its significance in preserving health.
8. Thirst is a reliable predictor of fluid needs for most individuals. The elderly, kids, and during
hot weather or strenuous exercise, are exceptions.

9. The balance of trace minerals is a function not only of the quantity of the consumed product,
but also of the existence of other trace minerals and dietary variables. Non-heme iron
absorption, for example, is hindered by tea but improved by orange juice.

10. A chronically low calcium intake compromises bone density and strength, but does not
contribute to hypocalcemia. Serum calcium levels are retained within the normal range at the
expense of calcium in the bones, irrespective of calcium intake.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

2. a. Does chlorine in drinking water cause cancer?

Chlorine reacts with it to form a by-product called trihalomethane (THM) if organic

matter is present in water. As THM forms, it is in such small amounts that there is no chance of
cancer. The advantages of chlorine have greatly outweighed the marginal effects of THM in
preventing outbreaks of cholera, hepatitis, and other diseases.

b. What are chelated minerals?

To protect it from other food components such as oxalates and phytates that can bind
to the mineral and prevent it from being absorbed, a chelated mineral is enclosed by an amino
acid. As chelated calcium is absorbed 5 percent to 10 percent better than ordinary calcium, but
costs about five times more, chelated minerals are possibly not worth the added expense.
3. Calcium: By Any Means Possible
The AI (adequate intake) for calcium ranges from 1000 to 1300 mg. depending on a person’s
age. The best sources are calcium rich- foods. But what if a client is lactose-intolerant or just
doesn’t like many calcium containing foods? Because the potential consequence of chronic
calcium deficiency are serious- fractures, and other complications of osteoporosis- calcium
supplementation maybe appropriate.
What are some suggestions and cautions for client education?

 Pick four foods high in calcium and four foods with low levels of calcium (e.g., cottage
cheese, broccoli, pinto beans).
 Fill resealable plastic bags with small marshmallows to reflect each of the chosen foods'
calcium content. 10 mg of calcium can be contained in each marshmallow. Furthermore,
fill a big resealable plastic bag with 100 marshmallows as a guide (1000 mg or 100
percent Daily Value).
 Match the "calcium" bag to the appropriate food model (or image). Have the matching
performed by the participants.
  Distribute a pictorial representation of this activity along with their bag of “calcium”
with additional foods.
4. Applying Content Knowledge
Case Scenario
The camp nurse gives a talk to the camp staff about signs of fluid volume deficit. She
encourages the counselors to be sure the campers drink fluids throughout the day. One
counselor responds “Oh, that’s no problem. The kids guzzle flavored ice tea all day long.”
How could the camp nurse respond?
The camp nurse should tell the camp staff that it does not count as water for flavored iced tea
as this will not keep the kids hydrated. The tea contains water, but it acts as a diuretic and helps
to dehydrate children rather than hydrate them. So, the staff at the camp must ensure that the
kids drink more water than iced tea.

VI. Learning Evaluation

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT/ JOURNALS

Item Score
1 Preparation (organized discussion flows well) 1 2 3 4 5
2. Content ( presented accurate & relevant information, appeared knowledgeable 1 2 3 4 5
about the assignment)

3. Connection ( identified resources to help with the assignment) 1 2 3 4 5

4. Delivery (clear and logical organization 1 2 3 4 5

Total Score: ________