MOST OF THE FOODS ARE MADE FROM JUST

FIVE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

CARBON

HYDROGEN

HEALTHY SOURCE
OXYGENOF
ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

NITROGEN

SULFUR
 MINERALS or MINERAL IONS

• Minerals are one of the groups of essential

nutrients

• Inorganic substances
(Simple molecules,not consisting of carbon atoms)

• Not derived from living matter

• Come from the soil and water and are absorbed

by plants or eaten by animals
Here are why we need Minerals or Mineral ions

• Minerals assist in body functions such as

producing energy, growing, and healing.

• Minerals are required for fluid balance,

blood and bone development, maintaining a
healthy nervous system, and regulating
muscles, including heart muscles and
regulating hormones.
 Classification of Minerals or Mineral ions

Trace minerals
Macrominerals
(Micro minerals)

❖ Minerals your body needs ❖Body only needs

in large amounts in small amounts

❖ Required in amounts ❖ Required in the diet in

greater than 100mg a day amounts lesser than
100mg a day
There are all together 16 essential minerals
 SOME ESSENTIAL

MINERALS NEEDED
Calcium

Phosphorus BY THE BODY

Sodium
Magnesium
Chlorine
Iron
 Calcium
• It is one of the macrominerals

• We use large amounts in our body

• Essential for making teeth and bones

• Approximate mass in an adult body = 1000 g

 Sources of

Dairy products, fish, bread, vegetables…

 Phosphorus

• One of the Macrominerals

• Essential for making teeth and bones; part of

many chemicals, e.g. DNA and ATP.

• Approximate mass in an adult body=650 g

Sources of

Most Foods
 Sodium
• One of the macronutrient

• Essential for making body fluid e.g. blood

• Approximate mass in an adult body=100g

Common salt, most foods…

 Chlorine
• One of the macronutrient

• Essential for making body fluid e.g. blood

• Approximate mass in an adult body=100g

 Magnesium
• One of the trace minerals (micro minerals)

• We use small amount in our body

• Essential for making bones, metabolizing fat and

protein, regulating blood glucose, and supporting
immune system and nervous system function.

• Approximate mass in an adult body=30g

 Iron

• One of the trace minerals (micro minerals)

• We use small amount in our body.

• Part of haemoglobin in red blood cells,

helps carry oxygen.

• Approximate mass in an adult body=3g

RED MEAT, LIVER, EGGS, SOME VEGETABLES. e.g. SPINACH
 Mineral Deficiency

when your body doesn't obtain or absorb the

required amount of particular mineral from the
diet

Mineral deficiencies can lead to

• health problems
• weak bones
• fatigue
• Affect the immune system
Calcium deficiency

-Calcium is needed to make the bones grow properly

and harden

-Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium.

-Without vitamin D, calcium can not be absorbed

❖Rickets is the softening and weakening of

bones in children.
Iron Deficiency
❖Iron deficiency causes anemia
(low hemoglobin and reduced numbers of red blood cells)

❖ results in tiredness and shortness of breath

due to insufficient oxygen supply.
❖ Vitamins are one of the groups of essential nutrients

❖essential micronutrient
(a nutrient that needs in small quantities for the proper
functioning of organism metabolism)
❖ Usually required milligrams (mg) or micrograms
(mcg or μg) every day.)

❖ organic molecules

❖ cannot be synthesized by the body

❖ found naturally in foods obtained from plants and

animals.
❖To maintain health

❖To help prevent deficiency diseases such

as Beri Beri ( weakened muscles), diseases of
heart, nerves and digestive system and rickets
(softening of the bones)

❖To regulate the repair of body cells

❖To help combat the aging process

❖To regulate the body functions

B Vitamins Vitamin A Vitamin D

Vitamin C
Vitamin E Vitamin K
 Vitamin A
o Uses in the body- making a chemical in the retina;
also protects the surface of the eye
o Daily amount in diet- 0.8 mg
o Effects of deficiency- night blindness, damaged
cornea of eye
 B Vitamins
❑ Collection of many different substances
❑Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3
(niacin).
➢Uses in the body- help with cell respiration
➢Daily amount in diet- B1 (1.1 mg)
B2 (1.4 mg)
B3 (16 mg)
➢Effect of deficiency
B1- BeriBeri (the weakening of the muscles and
paralysis)
B2- poor growth and dry skin
B3- pellagra (dry red skin)
▪ poor growth and digestive disorders
 Vitamin C
➢ Use in the body- to make connective tissue. Sticks
together cells lining surfaces such as the mouth.
➢Daily amount in diet- 80 mg
➢Effect of deficiency- scurvy ( bleeding occurs in
various places in the body, noticeable in the gums)
 Vitamin D
▪ Use in the body- helps bones absorb calcium and
phosphate
▪ Daily amount in diet- 5 μg
▪ Effect of deficiency- rickets, poor teeth.