Transcript Chapter Seven - Part Two The Trace Minerals & Water Food & Nutritional Health NUT SCI –242 Karen Lacey, MS, RD, CD © Spring 2005

Chapter Seven - Part Two
The Trace
Minerals &
Water
Food & Nutritional Health NUT SCI –242
Karen Lacey, MS, RD, CD © Spring 2005
The Trace Minerals
Trace mineral: an essential
mineral nutrient found in the
human body in amounts less
than 5 grams
A. Iron

Functions:
– Hemoglobin formation
The iron-containing protein in red
blood cells that carries oxygen
– Part of myoglobin
– Carries oxygen in the body
– Energy utilization
Deficiency Symptoms
Anemia: a reduction of the number &
size of RBC’s and a loss of their color
– Characterized by weakness,
paleness, headaches, reduced
immunity, inability to concentrate,
cold intolerance
 Blood loss

Toxicity Symptoms

Iron overload
– Infections
– Liver injury
– Acidosis
– Shock
Food Sources
 Red
meat
 Poultry
 Fish & shellfish
 Eggs
 Legumes
 Dried fruits
 Fortified cereals
B. Zinc

Functions:
– Needed for protein & enzyme
function
– Immunity & wound healing
– Vitamin A transport
– Taste
– Fetal development
Deficiency Symptoms
Growth failure in children
 Loss of taste
 Poor wound healing
 Poor appetite

Toxicity Symptoms
 Fever
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Kidney
failure
Food Sources
 Protein-containing
– Meat
– Fish
& shellfish
– Poultry
– Grains
– Vegetables
foods:
C. Iodine
Amount of iodine in food is reflected
in the soil
 Functions:
– Part of thyroxine, which regulates
metabolism

Deficiency symptoms




Goiter: decreased blood iodine causes
thyroid cells to enlarge
Cretinism: severe mental & physical
retardation of an infant caused by severe
iodine deficiency in the mother during
pregnancy
Iodization of salt has all but eliminated
goiter & cretinism
In some parts of the world, these deficiency
diseases still exist
Toxicity Symptoms:

Depressed thyroid activity
accompanied by an enlarged
thyroid gland
D. Fluoride

Functions:
– Formation of bones & teeth
– Helps make teeth resistant to
decay
– Helps make bones resistant to
mineral loss
Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms


Deficiency Symptoms:
– Tooth decay
Toxicity Symptoms: (rare in humans)
– Fluorosis: discoloration of teeth
 The first symptom of excess fluoride
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– diarrhea
Food Sources
 Drinking
 Tea
 Seafood
water
E. Copper
 Functions:
– Helps
make hemoglobin
– Part of several enzymes
 Food Sources:
Meats
– Drinking water
–
Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms
Deficiency Symptoms: (rare in
humans)
– Anemia
– Bone changes
 Toxicity Symptoms:
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Diarrhea

F. Manganese
Functions:
– Along with enzymes, facilitates
many cell processes
 Food Sources:
– Widely distributed in foods

Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms
Deficiency Symptoms:
– Poor growth
– Nervous system disorders
– Abnormal reproduction
 Toxicity Symptoms:
– Poisoning
– Nervous system disorders

G. Chromium
Functions:
– Works with insulin
– Required for release of energy from
glucose
 Food Sources:
– Meat
– Unrefined foods
– Vegetable oils

Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms:
– Abnormal glucose metabolism
 Toxicity symptoms:
– Occupational exposures damage
skin & kidneys

H. Selenium


Functions:
– Protects body from oxidation
– Works with vitamin E
Food Sources:
– Seafood
– Meats
– Grains
– Vegetables (depends on soil conditions)
Deficiency Symptoms

Deficiency Symptoms:
– Fragile red blood cells
– Cataracts
– Growth failure
– Heart damage
Toxicity Symptoms
Nausea
 Abdominal pain
 Nail & hair changes
 Liver & nerve damage

I. Molybdenum
Functions:
– Along with enzymes, facilitates
many cell processed
 Food Sources:
– Legumes
– Cereals
– Organ meats

Deficiency & Toxicity
Symptoms
Deficiency Symptoms
– Unknown
 Toxicity Symptoms
– Enzyme inhibition

Water
The most essential nutrient
 Makes up about 60% of the body’s
weight
 85 – 95% of fruits and vegetables
 Functions:

–
–
–
Transports nutrients & waste
Moistens & hydrates eyes, mouth, nose,
skin
Participates in energy formation
Cont’d
Ensures adequate blood volume
 Main component of body’s fluids
 Medium for chemical reactions
 Helps maintain normal body
temperature
 Acts as a joint lubricant
 Shock absorption inside the spinal
cord & amniotic sac around the fetus
