Transcript Chapter Seven Part One: Major Minerals Food & Nutritional Health NUT SCI –242 Karen Lacey, MS, RD, CD © Spring 2005

Chapter Seven
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 not contribute energy (calories) to
the diet
 Have diverse functions within the
body
 Work with enzymes to facilitate
chemical reactions
 Required in the diet in very small
amounts

Differences from Vitamins
Whereas vitamins are organic
compounds, minerals are inorganic
compounds
 Unlike vitamins, some minerals
contribute to the building of body
structures

I. Major Minerals
 Major
mineral: an essential
mineral nutrient found in the
body in amounts greater than
5 grams
A. Calcium
Most abundant mineral in the body
– 99% is stored in the bones
 Functions:
– Structural role in bones & teeth
– Transmission of nerve impulses
– Maintains cellular structure

Calcium Functions
(Cont’d)
– 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
DRI & Sources
= 1000 mg – 1300 mg
 Foods
 DRI
Milk/milk products
– Dark green vegetables
– Some fish & shellfish
– Tofu & other legumes
– Fortified foods (i.e.: juices)
–
BIOAVAILABILITY

Absorption (binders)
–
Phytic Acid (calcium, iron, zinc,
magnesium)
 Oatmeal
–
Oxalic Acid (calcium & iron)
 Beet
–

greens, rhubarb & spinach)
Fiber
Excretion
–
& Whole grains
Protein
B. Phosphorous
2nd most abundant mineral in the body
(85% combined with calcium)
 Functions:
– Structure of bones & teeth
– Necessary for growth (DNA)
– Energy metabolism (ATP)

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
DRI & Sources
 DRI
= 700 mg
 Foods
– Meat,
poultry & fish
– Dairy products
– Processed foods
– Soda
C. Sodium
An electrolyte
 Electrolyte: compound that partially
dissociates in water to form ions
– Helps to maintain the body’s fluid
balance
– Chief positive charged ion outside
of cells

Functions
 Helps
to maintain normal fluid
and acid-base balance
 Nerve impulse transmission
 Heartbeats
 Contraction of muscle
Intake & Sources
NO DRI
 Minimum requirements = 500 mg
 Daily Value = 2400 mg
 Table salt (Sodium Chloride)

–

1 tsp = 2300 mg sodium
Processed foods- those that are
canned, cured, pickled & boxed
–
75% of dietary intake
Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms
 Deficiency
symptoms:
– Muscle cramps
– Mental apathy
– Loss of appetite
 Toxicity symptoms:
– High blood pressure
Hypertension – Risk factors
Obesity
 Family history
 Race (African American)
 Age
 Excess alcohol intake
 Sedentary lifestyle

Nutrition in Action: Diet &
Blood Pressure
DASH = “Dietary Approaches to
Stop Hypertension”




High intake of fruits and vegetables (8-10
sv/day)
Low-fat daily products (2-3 sv/day)
Low-fat, low-saturated fat, lowcholesterol
Sodium less than 2400 mg/day
D. Potassium


An electrolyte (Chief positive ion inside
cells)
Functions:
– May lower blood pressure
– Protein synthesis
– Fluid balance
– Nerve transmission
– Contraction of muscles
– Critical for maintaining heartbeat
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
Intake & Sources
Estimated 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
Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms
 Deficiency
symptoms:
– None known because protein
deficiency would occur first
 Toxicity symptoms:
– Rare, but when occurs
depresses growth
Food Sources
 All
protein- containing foods
G. Magnesium
 Functions:
(DRI = 350 mg)
– Present in bone and teeth
– Protein synthesis
– Enzyme action (co-factor)
– Normal muscle contraction &
relaxation
– Nerve transmission
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