SAS 9: Water and Minerals

Water Quality
 Water assists in regulating body temperature

 Hard water- water that contains high amounts of minerals such as

 Water acts as a lubricant in the form of joint fluid and mucous

calcium and magnesium secretions (amniotic sac, spinal cord and eyes)

 Soft water- water replacing water minerals with sodium

 Water is a component of blood, lymph, saliva and urine

 Water may supply trace minerals such as fluoride, zinc and copper
Functions of Water
 Water also participates as a reactant

 Water is an important structural component in the body giving

shape and rigidity to cells

Regulation of Fluid and Water in the Body

 The intake of fluids is balanced with the output through urine, sweat, feces, and insensible perspiration.

Homeostasis (physiologic equilibrium)- is maintained by electrolytes that include minerals and blood proteins.

Electrolyte – salt that dissolves in water and dissociates into charged particles called ions

Two important minerals are sodium and potassium.

The extracellular distribution of fluid depends on sodium, potassium influences intracellular water.

Water moves within and between the cells in interstitial fluids in response to the levels of these minerals.

Fluid & Electrolytes

Electrolytes – are minerals that carry electrical charges or ions (particles) when dissolved in water

These minerals separate into cations or anions

The primary extracellular electrolytes in body fluids are sodium (cation) and chloride (anion) and the primary intracellular

electrolyte- potassium (cation)

Moving electrolytes in and out of the cell membrane requires transport proteins

The Na-K pump is a transport protein that works to exchange Na from within the cells to potassium.

Fluid Volume Deficit (FVD) Characteristics are: (FVD)

 A person experiences vascular, cellular or intracellular

 Infrequent urination
Decreased skin elasticity
dehydration 
Dry mucous membranes
 Severe FVD- when body fluid levels fall by 10% 0f body weight 
Dry mouth
(medical emergency) 
Unusual drowsiness
 Occur from diarrhea, vomiting, or high fever, sweating, diuretics 
Lightheadedness or disorientation
or polyuria 
Extreme thirst

Nausea

Slow or rapid breathing and

Sudden weight loss.

Older adults and infants are at risk for FVD

Fluid Volume Excess

This is a condition in which a person experiences increased fluid retention and edema.

Minerals

Provide rigidity and strength to the teeth and skeleton

 MINERAL CATEGORIES
Serve as a storage depot for other needs of the body  16 essential minerals are divided into two categories
 1.Major Minerals are needed daily from dietary sources in
Allow proper muscle contraction and release
 amounts of 100mg or
 Influence nerve and muscle functions higher
It is associated with compromised regulatory mechanism, excess 2. Trace Minerals are required daily in amounts less than or
 equal to 20 mg.
fluid intake or excess sodium intake
Minerals are stable when foods containing them are cooked.

MAJOR:
  Calcium TRACE:
Arsenic
 Chloride
Boron
 Magnesium Chromium
 Phosphorus Cobalt
 Potassium Copper
Fluoride
 Sodium
Iodine
 Sulfur Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Selenium
Silicon
Zinc

1. CALCIUM
Owns the distinction of being the most abundant mineral in

the body DASH diet is not particularly low in sodium, but it is rich in Ca+,
as well as K+ and magnesium.
99% - stored in the bones
  Adolescence - 1300mg/day
2 Important Roles:
 19-50y/0 - 1000mg/ day
a. Integral part of bone structure  Over 50 y/0 - 1200mg/day
Calcium Sources:
b. Serves as a Ca bank available to the body fluids if blood Ca
drops  Milk and milk products = the most abundant source
of Ca
Ca in Bone
 Dairy products (cheese, yogurt,
Calcium salts form crystals on a matrix of the protein collagen
 Oysters, salmon, small fish
As the crystals become denser, they give strength and rigidity  Vegetables, such as mustard greens, kale, parsley,
to the maturing bones watercress and brocolli
Ca in Body Fluids  Tofu
 1 percent of calcium circulates in the body fluids as Factors that hinder CA Absorption
ionized Ca Aging
 Helps regulate muscle contractions, transmit nerve Binders such as phytic acid and oxalic acid
impulses, blood clot, secrete hormones (parathyroid Dietary fat
hormone), digestive enzymes, and Drug use (anticonvulsants, tetracycline, antacids etc)
neurotransmitters. Excessive phosphorus intake
Laxative use
 Ca is a cofactor for several enzymes as well. Sedentary lifestyle
Hormones that Regulate Ca Balance
 Calcitonin = decreases blood Ca levels Calcium & Osteoporosis
 Parathormone = increases blood Ca levels  Characterized by reduced density of the bones.
 Vitamin D – promotes Ca deposit into the bones. Bones become porous and fragile and fracture easily
 A.K.A. Adult Bone Loss
When hypocalcemia occurs:
Blood Ca levels increase thru: Factors related to the development of Osteoporosis
Nutrition/ Ca intake
1. The small intestine absorbs more Ca
Alcohol
2. The bones release more Ca
Smoking
3. The kidneys excrete less Ca
Caffeine
 Ca Rigor – blood Ca above normal
Sedentary Lifestyle
- muscles contract and cannot relax,
hardness/stiffness TOXICITY
 Ca Tetany – blood Ca below normal
Over Supplementation may cause
-characterized by uncontrolled muscle contraction
Ca+ and Hypertension  Constipation
 Evidence suggests that Ca may protect against HPN.  Urinary stone formation affecting kidney function
and
 Reduced absorption of iron, zinc and other minerals

2. PHOSPHOROUS  Part of the body’s buffer systems (phosphoric acid)

 2nd most abundant mineral in the body The other 15% of phosphorus functions in:
 85% - is in our bones and teeth  In energy transfer
  Part of DNA and RNA, the genetic material in every Sources are: dairy foods, eggs, meat, fish, poultry and cereal
cell grains, soft drinks
 Component of phospholipids used for transportation Ph Deficiency- unknown
and structural functions Toxicity- possible from Ph supplements cause Ca excretion from
 RDA- 700mg/day for men/women, 19yrs. old and the body
older

3. Magnesium Magnesium Deficiency

 RDA- 420mg/day for men, 32omg/day for women
 Sources are: unprocessed foods including whole
grains, legumes, broccoli, leafy green vegetables and
hard water
 Magnesium is easily lost from foods during
processing, so unprocessed foods are the best
choices.
 Result from vomiting, diarrhea, alcohol abuse or
CHON malnutrition, use of diuretics, who have been
fed incomplete fluids IV for too long after surgery
(TPN)
 Severe Mg def. – Tetany = an extreme and prolonged
contraction of the muscles similar to Ca tetany.
Mg Toxicity
When taken with Ca supplements will cause diarrhea and
dehydration.

4. Sulfur
Present in all CHONs and plays its most important role in shaping strands of CHON, thiamine and biotin
No DRI- sulfur is found in all CHON containing foods, also no deficiencies develop
Toxicity of sulfur is not a health issue

5. Sodium
 Principal electrolyte in the extracellular fluid (fluids
outside the cells), BP and volume are maintained
 Primary regulator of all body fluids in and out of the
cells
 Helps maintain normal fluid & acid-base balance
 Essential to muscle contraction and nerve
transmission
 Na RDA
 AI- 1,500mg/day adults
 3/4 tsp of salt/day
 Too much sodium can contribute to high BP
 The more a foodstuff is processed, the higher the
sodium content becomes
 Processed foods contain not only more sodium, but
also less potassium.
Na Food Sources
 Salt, soy sauce, processed foods – highest sodium
 Whole, unprocessed foods, such as fresh fruits and
vegetables – lowest sodium
Na Deficiency
 Headache, muscle weakness, reduced ability to
concentrate, loss of memory and appetite
 Hyponatremia- concern for endurance athletes
 Secondary hyponatremia- neurologic and kidney
disorders
Na Toxicity
 Hypertension and edema
DASH diet
Dietary Approaches to Stop HPN:
 Emphasizes fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy products
 Which includes whole grains, nuts, poultry, fish
 Calls for reduced intakes of red meat, butter other
high-fat foods
 Done in combination with reduced Na intake
Potassium
 Principal positively charged ion inside the body cells
 Critical to keeping the heartbeat steady
 The sudden deaths that occur in severe diarrhea and
in children with kwashiorkor or people with eating
disorders are likely due to heart failure caused by
potassium loss.

6. POTASSIUM  Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea

Adults: 4700mg  Symptoms of deficiency are similar with toxicity,
K Sources these include muscle weakness, confusion, loss of
Whole unprocessed foods appetite, cardiac dysrhythmias
White potatoes with skin Hyperkalemia (Potassium Toxicity)
Tomatoes, bananas, oranges  Does not result from overeating of foods high in K+
Dairy products, legumes  Can result from overconsumption of K+ salts or
K Deficiency (Hypokalemia) supplements and from certain diseases or
 Results more often from excessive losses than from medications
deficient intakes  Potassium injection should not be directly injected
Arises from: into the vein, because it can stop the heat beating.
 DHN

7. Chloride  Major negative ion of the extracellular fluids, where

it occurs primarily with Na
  Part of HCL acid = which maintains the strong acidity  Would occur from the same circumstances as
of the gastric fluids sodium deficiency
 RDI- 2,300mg/day for adults or from excessive vomiting
Cl Food Source  Toxicity may occur because of dehydration causing
salt = major food source imbalance of chloride to the other electrolytes.
Processed foods = major contributor of Cl to people’s diet Trace Minerals
Cl Deficiency Needed by the body in tiny quantities

8. Iron  RBCs are pale and small

 Component of hemoglobin in RBC and myoglobin in Also called microcytic hypochromic anemia
muscle cells
 Helps them carry and hold oxygen and then release Iron Deficiency Anemia
it Manifestations:
 Hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues Fatigue, weakness, headaches, apathy, pallor, and poor
throughout the body resistance to cold temperatures
Myoglobin holds oxygen for the muscles to use when they The skin becomes noticeably pale
contract Dark-skinned person, the tongue and eye lining, will be very
Vital to the processes by which cells generate energy pale
Needed to make new cells, amino acids hormones, and Children: irritable, restless, and unable to pay attention
neurotransmitters.
Types of Protein Iron PICA
 Transferrin = the blood protein that carries the iron Craving for non-nutritious or harmful substances, such as ice,
to tissues throughout the body clay, paste, grass, stones, or clothing r/t Fe or Zn deficiencies
 Ferritin = a special storage protein in the liver, bone A.K.A. Geophagia, clay-eating behavior
marrow, and other organs. Results in Iron or zinc deficiency
 Liver is the main site of iron storage in the body.
 Hepcidine = a hormone produced by the liver that Fe Overload
are inversely related to the efficiency of iron Hemochromatosis
absorption Caused by genetic d/o that enhances Fe absorption
 High blood concentration of the hormone is Other causes:
associated with low iron absorption. Repeated BT
Fe Deficiency Massive doses of Fe supplements
 Most common nutrient deficiency worldwide
 Depletion of Fe stores Manifestations:
Apathy, lethargy, and fatigue
At risk:
 Women pregnancy Fe Poisoning
 Infants & young children Toxicity from excess Fe
Causes of Iron Deficiency Rapid ingestion of massive amounts of Fe causes DEATH
 Inadequate intake
 Blood loss = is the primary non-nutritional cause Fe Recommendation
 Parasitic infection of the GI tract may lead to blood Men 19 above: 8mg/day
loss Women 19-50y/o: 18mg/day
≥50y/o: 8mg/day
Iron Deficiency Anemia Iron absorption from foods can be maximized by two
 Iron deficiency = refers to depleted body iron stores substances that enhance iron absorption: MFP factor and Vit. C
without regard to the degree of depletion or to the
presence of anemia. Some substances can impair iron absorption:
 Iron deficiency anemia = refers to severe depletion Tannins of tea and coffee
of iron stores that results in a low hemoglobin Calcium in milk
concentration. Phytates that accompany fiber in legumes and whole-grain
cereals.

9. Zinc
 More than 200 enzymes throughout the body
depend on it
 Affects our growth process, taste and smell ability,
healing process, immune system and carbohydrate
metabolism by assisting insulin function
Needed to produce the active form of Vit. A in visual
pigments and is essential to wound healing, taste
perception, the making of sperm, and fetal
development.
Zn Recommendation
RDA
Men: 11mg/day Women: 8mg/day
Zn Sources
Foods high in CHON, such as shellfish, especially oyster, meats,
fish, poultry, liver, whole-grain products, legumes and eggs
breast milk is also a good source of zinc for infants.
Albumin – Zinc’s main transport vehicle in the bloodstream
Zinc Deficiency
Commonly seen in Egypt, Iran, and Turkey where diets are high
in fiber and phytate.
Marked by dwarfism, or severe growth retardation, and
hypogonadism or arrested sexual maturation, reduced ability
to taste (hypogeusia), and reduced ability to smell (hyposmia)
Zinc Deficiency
At risk: Zn Toxicity
Pregnant teenagers need zinc for their own growth as well as From supplementation produces GI distress leading to vomiting
the developing fetus. and diarrhea, fever and exhaustion (similar to flu)
Vegetarians = increase fiber in the diet may contain phytate Decreases iron, copper and HDL

10. Iodine Goiter = an enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine

Integral part of the thyroxin, which regulate growth and deficiency
development, basal metabolic rate, and body temperature Cretinism (mental and physical retardation)

Iodine Recommendation Simple goiter – caused by iodine def

RDA: 150mcg/day for men and women Toxic goiter – caused by a substance called goitrogens ( a
Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 1,100mcg substance that suppress the actions of the thyroid gland)
Foods like cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, brocolli,
Iodine Sources and kohlrabi.
Iodized salt, seafood
Iodine Toxicity
Iodine Deficiency Thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism) with the symptoms sweating,
This deficiency reduces thyroxin produced palpitations, sudden weight loss, tremors, fatigue, muscle
weakness

11. Fluoride F toothpaste

 Element involved in the formation of bones for Tea, sea food
mineralization and helps make teeth resistant to F Toxicity
decay Fluorosis = mottling or brown spotting of the tooth enamel
 Part of tooth formation from ingestion of too much fluoride during tooth development
 Prevention:
Fluoride Recommendation Monitor F content of the local water supply
RDA Supervise children
Men: 4mg/day Use F supplements as ordered
Women: 3mg/day
Fluoride Deficiency
F Sources Susceptibility to tooth decay
Fortified water

12. Selenium Se Sources

Assists a group of antioxidant enzymes called glutathione Organ meats
peroxidases Fish, eggs
Glutathione peroxidases and Vit. E work together to prevent Whole grains, vegetables
cell and lipid membrane damage.
Plays role in converting thyroid hormone to its active form Se Deficiency
Associated with heart disease. (Keshan disease) in children and
Se Recommendation young women which includes cardiomyopathy and heart failure
RDA: 55to 70 ug/day
Se Toxicity
Hair and nail brittleness and loss
Other effects are liver damage, vomiting, and diarrhea

13. Copper
A coenzyme involving antioxidant reaction and energy Cu Deficiency
metabolism Bone demineralization and anemia
Component of wound healing Can be caused by zinc toxicity
A constituent of nerve fiber protection
A required element for iron use Copper Toxicity
One of the most vital roles is to help cells use iron Some genetic disorders create a copper toxicity
Wilson’s disease (prevent the body from getting rid of copper)
Sources: Jaundice, liver cirrhosis, hypoglycemia, brownish-yellow ring
Organ meats, legumes, whole grains, seafood, nuts, and seeds around corneo-scleral junction
and water flowing through copper pipes

14. Manganese
 Is a cofactor for many enzymes, helping to facilitate dozens of different metabolic processes
Mn Toxicity
Seen in miners who inhale large quantities of manganese dust
Causes symptoms of brain disease (dementia and Parkinson’s disease), along with abnormalities in appearance and behavior.

Mn Recommendation
RDA
Men: 2.3mg/day
Women: 1.6mg/day

15. Chromium
Associated with insulin and required for the release of energy from glucose
Main component of GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor)

Cr Recommendation
AI
Men(19-50y/o): 35ug/day
(51above): 30ug/day
Women (19-50y/o):25ug/day
(50above): 20ug/day

Other Trace Minerals

Molybdenum - works as a part of several metal-containing enzymes, for
Deficiency and toxicity are unknown
- RDA: 45ug/day

Nickel – important for the health of many tissues

Nickel deficiencies harm the liver and other organs.