Macronutrients

ELEMENTS FUNCTIONS METABOLISM DEFICIENCY DISEASE OR SYMPTOMS TOXICITY DISEASE OR SYMPTOMS SOURCES
CALCIUM Constituent of bones, teeth. Absorption requires Children: Rickets Excess absorption: Dairy products, beans,
Regulation of nerve, muscle function. calcium-binding Adults: Osteomalacia hypervitaminosis D or leafy vegetables
protein. May contribute to osteoporosis Hypercalcemia:
Regulated by Vitamin D, hyperparathyroidism or idiopathic
PTH, Calcitonin, etc
2+
PHOS- Constituent of bones, teeth, ATP, Control of absorption Children: Rickets Low serum Ca :Pi ratio stimulates Phosphate food
PHORUS phosphorylated metabolic intermediates, unknown (Vitamin D?) Adults: Osteomalacia secondary hyperparathyroidism additives
nucleic acid Serum levels regulated May lead to bone loss.
by kidney reabsorption.
SODIUM Principal cation in extracellular fluid. Regulated by Unknown of normal diet. Hypertension (in susceptible Table salt, Salt added
Regulates plasma volume, acid-base Aldosterone Secondary to injury or illness individuals) to prepared food.
balance, nerve and muscle function,
+ +
Na /K - ATPase
POTASSIUM Principal cation in intracellular fluid. Also regulated by Occurs secondary to illness, injury or Cardiac Arrest, Small bowel ulcers Vegetable, fruit, nuts
Regulates nerve and muscle function, aldosterone diuretic therapy. Muscular weakness,
+ +
Na /K - ATPase paralysis, mental confusion
CHLORIDE Regulates FLUID & electrolytes balance, Infants fed salt-free formula. Secondary to Table salt,
gastric fluid, chloride shift in HCO3 vomiting diuretic therapy, renal disease
transport in erythrocytes
MAGNESIUM Constituent of bones, teeth. Enzyme co- Secondary to malabsorption or diarrhea, Depressed deep tendon reflexes Leafy green
factor. alcoholism. and respiration. vegetables containing
chlorophyll.
Micronutrients
ELEMENTS FUNCTIONS METABOLISM DEFICIENCY DISEASE OR SYMPTOMS TOXICITY DISEASE OR SOURCES
SYMPTOMS
CHROMIUM Trivalent chromium, a constituent of Impaired glucose tolerance, secondary Meat, liver,
“glucose tolerance factor” which binds to parenteral nutrition. Brewer’s yeast,
to and potentiates insulin whole grains,
nuts, cheese.
COBALT Required only as a constituent of vit As for vit B . Vit B deficiency Foods of animal
12 12
B . origin.
12
COPPER Constituent of oxidase enzymes: Transported by albumin. Anemia (hypochromic, microcytic); Rare; secondary to Wilson’s Liver.
cytochrome C oxidase, etc. cytosolic Bound to ceruloplasmin. secondary to malnutrition. Menke’s disease.
superoxide dismutase. Role in iron syndrome.
absorption.
IODINE Constituent of thyroxine, Stored in thyroid as Children: Cretinism Thyrotoxicosis, goiter. Iodize salt,
triiodothyronine thyroglobulin. Adult: goiter and hypothyroidism, seafood
myxedema
IRON Constituent of HEME, enzymes Transported as Anemia (hypochromic, microcytic);. Siderosis; hereditary Red meat, liver,
(hemoglobin, cytochromes, etc.) transferrin; stored as hemochromatosis. eggs. Iron
ferritin or hemosiderin; cookware.
lost in sloughed cells and
by bleeding.
MANGANESE Co-factor of hydrolase, decarboxylase, Unknown in humans. Inhalation poisoning
and transferase enzymes. Glycoprotein produces psychotic
and proteoglycan synthesis. symptoms and Parkinsonism.
Mitochondrial superoxide dismutase.
MOLYBDENUM Constituent of oxidase enzymes Secondary to parenteral nutrition.
(xanthine oxidase).
SELENIUM Constituent of glutathione peroxidase. Synergistic antioxidant Marginal deficiency when soil content is Toxic levels in some soils. Plants but varies
with vitamin E low; secondary to parenteral nutrition, Megadose supplementation with soil
protein energy malnutrition induces hair loss, dermatitis content. Meat.
and irritability.
ZINC Cofactor of many enzymes: lactate Hypogonadism, growth failure, impaired Gastrointestinal irritation,
dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, wound healing, decreased taste and vomiting
carbonic anhydrase, etc. formation of smell acuity; secondary to
zinc fingers in nuclear receptors for acrodermatitis enteropathica,
steroid parenteral nutrition
FLOURIDE Increases hardness of bones and teeth Dental caries; Dental fluorosis Drinking water.
Essential for rat growth. Osteoporosis (?).
While not proved to be
essential for human
nutrition, fluorides have a
well-defined role in
prevention and
treatment of dental
caries

CJE