Minerals

Macro Minerals
Micro Minerals

Definition
Small inorganic elements that yield no
energy
They constitute only about 4-6 % of the
body wt but are essential as structural
components in many vital processes.

Classification
Macro minerals or
Major minerals
present in quantities
greater than 5g (1tsp)
and are required at
levels of 100 mg/day
or more
Ca
Na
K Mg
P
S
Cl

Micro minerals or
Trace elements
present in quantities
<5g
Fe I
Zn
Se
F
Cu Mn Cr
Mo Co

General Functions of Minerals

I Regulatory
maintenance of acid - base balance
catalysts for biological reactions
transmission of nerve impulses
regulation of muscle contractility

Functions continued...

II Structural
Ca, P, Mg, F, Na = bones and teeth
I =thyroxine
Zn =insulin
Fe =hemoglobin
Cl =gastric secretion
Cu =cytochrome oxidase
Mo=xanthine oxidase
Co =Vit B12

Calcium
Most abundant mineral in the body

DISTRIBUTION:
99% bones
1% teeth

Functions of Calcium
Bone and teeth formation
Muscular contraction
Blood coagulation
Nerve transmission
Enzyme activation and catalyst for
biological reactions
Others

Absorption
Absorption of Ca is in the duodenum
Normally, adults absorb 10 -30% of dietary
Ca
Growing children and pregnant women
absorb 50 - 60% of Ca
Normal level of Ca is 4.5 - 5.5 mEq / L

Factors influencing Ca
Absorption
INCREASED
ABSORPTION

increased body needs

vitamin D
acid environment
Ca:P ratio is 1:1 to 2:1
estrogen inhibits bone
resorption
taking Ca supplements
with meals

DECREASED
ABSORPTION

old age
alkaline environment
hi meat intake
Ca:P ratio is 1:>1
excess fats in the stomach
hi gastric motility
lack of exercise

Factors Influencing Ca
Absorption cont...
Mental / emotional
stress
meds: theophylline,
thiazide diuretics,
tetracycline
alcoholism
caffeine
oxalic acid in leafy
vegs
phytic acid in grains

Regulation
Blood Ca levels do not depend on daily
dietary Ca intake
3 mechanisms to reestablish homeostasis
bones release Ca
intestines absorb more Ca
kidneys retain more Ca

Hormones regulating Ca levels

PARATHORMONE (parathyroid hormone)
CALCITRIOL (active vit D hormone)
CALCITONIN (thyroid gland)
Parathormone and Calcitriol act on all 3
mechanisms to raise Ca levels
Calcitonin responds to high levels of Ca by
lowering both Ca and P in the blood

Ca Sources
Milk and milk products
Canned fish with bones
Dark green vegetables

Ca Deficiency
Retarded growth and rickets (children)
Osteomalacia (adult rickets)
Hypocalcemic tetany

Ca Excess =Hypercalcemia
Ca rigor - elevated Ca levels stimulate the
muscle fibers to go into a state of tonic
contraction

Phosphorus P
Second most important mineral
DISTRIBUTION:
bones
teeth

Absorption
Closely related to that of Ca and the factors
that influence Ca absorption also influence
P
70% of dietary P is absorbed

Functions of P
Development of bones and teeth
Transfer of energy in cells
Component of phospholipids
Buffer system

Sources of P
A diet high in Ca and CHON = adequate P
Milk and milk products
MFP meat, fish, poultry
eggs, dried, beans, carbonated beverages,
processed meats

P Deficiency =
Hypophosphatemia
Osteomalacia
ESRD
Malabsorption diseases
Antacid overuse

P Excess = Hyperphosphatemia
Renal disorders

P is inversely related to Ca
hi P levels = lo Ca => muscle tetany

Potassium K
Principal cation in the intracellular fliuds

DISTRIBUTION:
98% intracellular fluid
2% in the blood

Functions of K
Maintenance of acid - base balance
98% intracellular fluid

Contraction of muscles
Transmission of nerve impulses
For CHON and CHO metabolism

Factors that Control Serum K

levels
Kidney
Adrenocortical hormones
Chlorine

Sources of K
Milk, nuts, legumes
Unprocessed foods, unrefined cereals
Raw/dried fruits, fruit juices
Dark green vegetables

K Deficiency = Hypokalemia
Malnutrition
Prolonged GI loss of K
vomiting, chronic diarrhea, gastric suction

Diabetic acidosis
Diuretics
Laxatives
Heart Failure, DKA

Symptoms of Hypokalemia
flabby muscle flaccid paralysis
lethargy, irritability, mental confusion
arrythmias, CHF
hypotension
decreased intestinal motility

K Excess = Hyperkalemia
Renal failure
when the kidneys fail to excrete K properly

Severe dehydration

Symptoms of Hyperkalemia
Intestinal colic and diarrhea
Bradycardia and cardiac arrest
Oliguria

Sodium Na
Most abundant cation in the extracellular
fluid
DISTRIBUTION:
50% extracellular
10%intracellular
40%in the surface of bone crystals

Functions of Na
Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte
balance
Maintenance of acid - base balance
Maintenance of normal muscle irritability

Factors Affecting Na Level

Kidney function

Aldosterone

Absorption of Na
Na is absorbed in the stomach
Normal level is 135 - 145 mEq / L

Sources of Na
In natural foods, and in compounds used to
process foods
Animal sources are richer sources of Na
than plant sources
Preservatives and additives
Carrots, spinach, celery - good plant
sources of Na
Water

Na Deficiency = Hyponatremia
Dehydration - heat exhaustion
Excessive water intake
Surgical procedures with marked blood loss
Excessive diarrhea and vomiting
Long term severely restricted Na diets

Symptoms of Hyponatremia
Low blood volume
Low BP
Elevated HR
Muscle cramps

Na Excess = Hypernatremia
Hypertension and Cardiac disorders
Kidney disorders

SYMPTOMS:
edema
shortness of breath

Chlorine Cl
Major anion in the extracellular fluid

DISTRIBUTION:
CSF
Gastric Secretions

Sources of Cl
Foods hi in Na = hi in Cl
Table salt
Meats
Seafoods
Milk
Eggs

Functions of Cl
Gastric acidity
Regulation of osmotic pressure
Activation of salivary amylase

Cl Deficiency = Hypochloremia
Vomitting, diarrhea
Gastric suction / drainage

EFFECT OF HYPOCHLOREMIA:
alkalosis

Magnesium Mg
Second most important cation in the
intracellular fluid

DISTRIBUTION:
70% bones along with Ca and P
30% soft tissues and body fluids

Functions of Mg
Part of enzyme system necessary for the
transfer of energy
Cellular metabolism
Regulates blood P level
Transmission of nerve impulses
Relaxation of skeletal muscles
Increase the stability of Ca in the tooth enamel
Activator of enzymes for the metab of CHO,
CHON, and fats

Utilization of Mg
Mg is absorbed in the small intestine
Mg is excreted in the feces
Excess fats, Ca, and vit D causes an
increase excretion of Mg
Sulfates and oxalated depresses the
utilization of Mg

Sources of Mg
Mg is a component of chlorophyll
Most green vegetables are good sources of
Mg

Mg Deficiency =
Hypomagnesemia
Kwashiorkor
Malabsorption
Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting
Alcoholism
Prolonged periods of Mg free fluids after
surgery or diuretics
ARF

Symptoms of Hypomagnesemia
Gross muscle tremors, hyperirritability,
muscle twitching, seizures
Psychotic behavior with hallucination and
delusions

Mg Excess = Hypermagnesemia
Renal insuffiency
Mg overdosage
Repeated enemas with Mg SO4
Overuse of antacids containing Mg

Symptoms of Hypermagnesemia
Hypotension
ECG changes
Decreased tendon reflexes
Cardiac arrest
Coma

Sulfur S
S is present in all cells of the body usually
as part of CHONs
Keratin is the most common protein that
contains S

DISTRIBUTION:
hair, skin, nails

S Metabolism
S is absorbed in the intestine
and goes directly to the portal circulation
S is excreted in the urine

Functions of S
Component of various substances
amino acids like methionine cystine
organic compounds like: heparin, insulin,
thiamin
glycoprotiens in cartilage, tendons, and bone
matrix
keratin protein of hair, skin, and nails

Functions of S contd
Maintenance of protein structure
Participated in detoxification reactions

Sources of S
Animal protein contains 1% S
A diet with adequate protein will have
adequate S
Cheese, eggs, poultry, fish

S Deficiency
A hereditary defect in tubular reabsorption
of the amino acid cystine may lead to
excessive excretion in the urine causing
cystinuria.
Repeated production in the kidneys causes
production of cystine kidney stones.

Minerals
End of Macro Minerals