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
(Contd)
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

DRI

= 1000 mg 1300 mg
Foods
Milk/milk products
Dark green vegetables
Some fish & shellfish
Tofu & other legumes
Fortified foods (i.e.: juices)

BIOAVAILABILITY
Absorption

Phytic Acid (calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium)

Oatmeal

greens, rhubarb & spinach)

Fiber

Excretion

& Whole grains

Oxalic Acid (calcium & iron)

Beet

(binders)

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 bodys 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