1 / Vitamins + Minerals

* Minerals

Dr : Badr Eid / 0563598199

:- Inorganic elemental atoms

- are essential - electrolytes.

*Minerals in human body :

- Not changed by metabolism.

:- More than 25 have been isolated from the body.

: Minerals make up about 4 to 5% of body weight (for a 70 kg individual: 2.8 kg)

* Minerals (Function) :
1- Nutritionally essential

2-Pharmacologically beneficial

1- Structural minerals (calcium and phosphorus)

-Fluoride to prevent dental caries

2-Functional minerals (calcium, phosphorus and all

-Lithium salts to treat depression

the others) all cellular activities- enzyme cofactors

Classification :
Micro or Trace minerals

Macro or Major minerals

-Present in body tissues at concentrations

- Present in body tissues at concentrations

<50 mg/kg

>50 mg/kg

-Chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt,

-Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium,

molybdenum, copper, zinc, fluoride, iodine,

phosphorus, sulfur, chloride

selenium, silicon, tin, arsenic, nickel

1-Calcium
* : 1- Bone matrix and teeth
4- Blood clotting

2- nerve function
5-Muscle contraction

3- Cellular metabolism

*Calcium Deficiencies:

1-Rickets

2-Osteomalacia (osteoporosis)

3-Milk fever (parturient paresis)

in growing animals

in adult animals

in lactating animals

2- Phosphorus (P)
*Functions of Phosphorus :
1- Component of cell membranes & walls (Phospholipids)
2-Component of Nucleic acids and ATP ,High energy phosphate compounds
3- Acid-base balance - Maintenance of blood pH
4- Protein synthesis
* Deficiencies include
1- Rickets or osteomalacia

5- important in energy metabolism and Energy transfer

2- Pica (depraved appetite)

2 / Vitamins + Minerals

Dr : Badr Eid / 0563598199

3- Magnesium
* Second most plentiful cation in intracellular fluids.
*Functions :
1- cofactor of all enzymes involved in phosphate transfer reactions (that use ATP)

300 enzyme systems ( phosphatases - Pyrophosphatases )

(Most metabolically active tissues: brain, heart, liver and kidney)

2- Essential for the conversion of vitamin D to its biologically active form to help absorb and use
calcium.
( Prevents the calcification of soft tissue -Bone strength)
3- Prevents cardiovascular disease.
* Deficiencies :
1- Hypomagnesemic tetany

2- poor nervous and muscular control (function)

Trace Minerals
Functions : 1- Cofactors of Metalloenzyme
2-Components of nonenzymatic molecules
3- Provide structure to mineralized tissues

4- Iron
* Functions : 1- hemoglobin
2-

myoglobin

( Oxygen transport )

( Iron reservoir of oxygen )

3- Cellular energy metabolism

*Iron deficiency :
: Initial symptoms are : easy fatigability - lack of appetite - headache - dizziness
then:

hypochromic-microcytic anemia
- microcytosis (small RBCs)

- hypochromia (poor fill of hemoglobin)

5-Copper (Cu)
* Cu functions :
- Energy Production

- Connective tissue formation

- Melanin synthesis

- Antioxidant functions

- Iron metabolism
- Regulation of gene expression

* Copper Deficiency :
1-Anemia

2- Bone disorders

3 / Vitamins + Minerals

Dr : Badr Eid / 0563598199

6-Iodine
* Function :
Essential component of

thyroid hormones:

Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3)

Important for regulation of body temperature, basal metabolic rate,

reproduction and growth.
* Regulation in body : (Almost all is absorbed. - Excess removed in urine. )
* Iodine Deficiency :

1- Goiter

2- Cretinism

( less severe)

( more severe)

: Enlarged thyroid gland

due to bodys attempt to increase
thyroid hormone production

Severe iodine deficiency during

pregnancyserious problems in baby
:Stunted growth, deaf, mute , mentally retarded.

: table salt with sodium iodide.

7-Zinc
*Functions of Zinc :
1- Cofactor

(RNA synthesis)

2- Zinc fingers : Stabilizes proteins that regulate gene expression

3- Antioxidant - Stabilizes cell membranes
4- Male sexual function, male hormone metabolism, sperm formation, sperm motility.
5- mportant for body immunity

6- Vital role during pregnancy

* Zinc Deficiency :
1- poor growth

2- delayed wound healing, Skin irritations

4- impairment of sexual development

3- diarrhea,

(cause infertility.)

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