Minerals (Major elements)

minera
Functions Food sources Important Notes
ls
– Help in blood clotting – milk and milk products. – most abundant mineral in the body. – Calcium binders: Oxalic acid
(in vegetables), phytic acid (in
– Transmission of nerve – meat exchange list – 99% is stored in the bones and
cereals).
impulse. – fish (sardine) teeth, 1% in the blood.
– RDA : 800 mg/day for men,
– development of bones – dark green vegetables. – Absorption : adult (10 - 30 % ) ,
1000 mg for women,
and teeth. children and pregnant women (50 -
1500 mg/day for pregnant
60 % )
– Increased permeability women.
Calcium – factors that can increase Ca
of cell membrane. absorption:
– – Deficiency diseases:
(Ca²⁺) Contraction of skeletal ○ Acid environment in the GIT.
and cardiac muscles. ○ Calcium and phosphorus ○ Osteoporosis
ratio ○ Rickets
(1:1 to 2:1) in the diet.
○ increase vitamin D intake.
○ Osteomalacia

○ Presence of lactose in the

diet .

– Contraction of muscles – Oranges – Most abundant cation in intracellular fluid (98% in cells)
(skeletal, especially – Bananas
cardiac muscles). – dried fruits – Level of potassium in the blood is regulated by aldosterone
– Maintanance of water – meat and vegetables hormone.
balance.
Potassiu
– Transmission of nerve – Deficiency diseases:
m (K+) impulses. ○ Hyperkalemia
– Carbohydrate and (Symptoms: Weakness of heart contraction and
protein metabolism. respiratory muscles.)
○ Hypokalemia
(Symptoms: Tachycardia)
– It is the Second most abundant mineral in the body.
– development of bones
– 85% with calcium in the bones to form calcium phosphate.
and teeth.
– Closely related to calcium.
– Transfer of energy in
Phospho Milk and meat are the best – 70% of dietary
cell (ATP).
rus (P) – sources. – compared to 10-30% of Ca.
Component of
phospholipids. – Deficiency disease:
– Buffer system. ○ End stage renal disease.
○ Hypophosphatemia
 – Synthesis of ATP. – Green vegetables. – 70% is located in the bones.
– Nerve impulse. – whole grains. – combines with calcium and phosphorus.
Magnesi – Activator of enzymes. – 30% is located inside cells.
um – Relaxation of skeletal
muscles.
(Mg+)

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Minerals ( minor elements OR trace elements )

minerals Functions Food sources Important Notes
– hemoglobin synthesis. – meat – Physiological needs: need the more is absorb (as in pregnancy,
– iron excretion. – fish during growth).

– synthesis of new RBC's . – poultry – factors decreases iron absorption: High fiber diet. Surgical
removal of stomach.
– cereals – About 10% of iron in mixed diet is absorbed.
– dark green – Deficiency : (iron deficiency anemia , hypochromic macrolytic
vegetables anemia )
Iron – deficiency anemia are:
○ Serum ferritin/Total iron binding
(Fe) capacity/Hemoglobin/hematocrit
○ Fatgue : decreased work performance/Risk of infection
increased/Growth impairment in infants.
○ high risk groups are: infants/pregnant
women/Adolescents/menstruation.
○ treatment: Iron supplementation and dietary management

– component of thyroid – Sea food is the – Present in the body in very small quantities (20-30 mg).
hormones. best source. – about 75% is concentrated in thyroid glands.
– regulate basal metabolic – Iodized table salt is – Requirement : the average person is very low / Increased
Iodine rate. the major dietary . amount is needed for the pregnant and lactating women.
– Diseases Deficiency:
○ goiter or enlargement of thyroid gland.
○ Cretinism
Zinc – Formation of collagen. – Egg – Zinc is second to iron in the amounts present in
– component of insulin, and – sea food the body.
(Zn) many enzymes. – milk – It is located in eyes , reproductive organs, liver,
 – vegetables. muscles and bones.

– enzymatic reactions. – Oyster – Copper and iron are metabolized in much of the
Copper – synthesis of hemoglobin – shell fish same ways and share some funtions
(Cu) and collagen. – liver
– legumes.
– It works with vitamin( E) – Liver
Selenium antioxidant. – sea foods
------
(Se) – help to protect the liver – other meats
against cirrhosis.
Fluorine – Drinking water – found mainly in bones and the enamel of teeth.
Reduces the incidence of
– Tea – Excessive intake can cause tooth mottling.
carries (cavities).
(F) – sea foods
– Liver – It is a component of many enzymes.
Molybden involved in the metabolism – Kidney
um (Mo) of nucleic acids to uric acid – Bread
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