By

Indraguna Pinatih

Six Classes of Nutrients

1. Carbohydrate
2. Protein
3. Fat
4. Vitamins
5. Minerals
6. Water

The Minerals
small, naturally occurring, inorganic,
inorganic
chemical elements
Inorganic: being or composed of matter other
than plant or animal

serve as structural components and in

many vital processes in the body

Functions of Minerals
Some participate with enzymes in
metabolic processes (cofactors)
Some have structural functions (Ca, P in
bone; S in keratin)
Acid-base and water balance (Na, K, Cl)
Nerve & muscle function (Ca, Na, K)
Unique functions (e.g., heme, B 12,
thyroid hormones)

Bioavailability, & Regulation of

Major Minerals
Bioavailability
Influenced by genetics, aging, nutritional status &
other food compounds

Absorption
Small intestine & large intestine

Regulation
Kidneys & small intestine

Classification
Macro or Major minerals
Sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium,
phosphorus, sulfur,
chloride

Present in body tissues at

concentrations >50 mg/kg
(50 ppm)

Micro or Trace minerals

(body needs relatively
less)
Chromium, manganese,
iron, cobalt, molybdenum,
copper, zinc, fluoride,
iodine, selenium, silicon,
tin, arsenic, nickel

Present in body tissues at

concentrations <50 mg/kg
(50 ppm)

Nutritionally Important Minerals

Macro

Trace

Element

g/kg

Element

Ca
P
K
Na
Cl
S
Mg

15
10
2
1.6
1.1
1.5
0.4

Fe
Zn
Cu
Mo
Se
I
Mn
Co

mg/kg
20-50
10-50
1-5
1-4
1-2
0.3-0.6
0.2-0.5
0.02-0.1

The Major Minerals: an Overview

Macrominerals
Needed in > 100 mg/d
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Sodium
Chloride
Potassium

Those present at (g/dL) in body fluids

or (mg/kg) in tissue = Trace elements
Those found at ng/dL or g/kg =
Ultratrace elements

Minerals in Foods
Found in all food groups.
More reliably found in
animal products.
Often other substances in
foods decrease absorption
(bioavailability) of minerals
Oxalate, found in spinach,
prevents absorption of most
calcium in spinach.
Phytate, form of phosphorous
in most plants makes it poorly
available

Factors Affecting Requirements

Physiological state/level of production
Interactions with other minerals

Mineral Interactions

Factors Affecting Requirements

Physiological state/level of production
Interactions with other minerals
Tissue storage
Form fed
inorganic vs organic forms
Na selenite vs Na selenate vs selenomethionine

Mineral interaction

Deficiencies and Excesses

Most minerals have an optimal range
Below leads to deficiency symptoms
Above leads to toxicity symptoms

Mineral content of soils dictates mineral

status of plants (i.e., feeds)
May take many months to develop
Time impacted by body stores

Requirements and Toxicities

Elemen
t

Species Requiremen
t, mg/kg

Cu

Cattle
Swine
Cattle
Livestoc
k
Cattle
Horses

Co
I
Se

Toxic
level,
mg/kg

5-8
6
0.06
0.1

115
250
60
?

0.1
0.1

3-4
5-40

Mineral Function

Bone Health

Blood Health

Fluid Balance

Energy Metabolism

Antioxidant

Minerals for: Bone

Major minerals

LARGEr Quantities

Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorous
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Sulfur

Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Health

Trace Minerals

SMALLer Quantities

Iron
Zinc
Copper

Fluoride
Selenium
Iodine
Chromium

Minerals for: Blood Health

Major minerals

LARGEr Quantities

Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Phosphorous
Sulfur

Trace Minerals
SMALLer Quantities

Iodine

Iron
Zinc
Copper
Fluoride
Selenium
Chromium
Molybdenum
Manganese

Interfering with absorption

Bioavailability
may be reduced due to other foods
consumed at the same time

Oxalic Acid
Phytic Acid
Tannins

absorption of:
Iron

Calcium

Minerals for: Fluid

Balance
Major minerals
LARGEr Quantities
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorous

Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Sulfur

Trace Minerals
SMALLer Quantities
Iron
Zinc
Copper
Fluoride
Selenium
Chromium

Electrolytes

Vital to cellular function

Sodium

Part of sodium chloride (Na+ Cl-) = salt

Required any time there is sweat loss
Contributes to High Blood Pressure

Potassium

Critical to maintaining heartbeat

Reduces risk of high blood pressure and stroke

Good Sources: bananas, oranges

Minerals for: Energy

Metabolism
Major minerals

LARGEr Quantities

Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorous
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride

Sulfur

Trace Minerals

SMALLer Quantities

Iron
Zinc
Copper
Fluoride
Selenium

Iodine
Chromium

Iodine

Some food prevent utilization of iodine (called

goiterogenous substances); for example, cabbage
contains thiocyanate which inhibits iodine uptake
by thyroid.
Deficiency:

Goiter (less severe)

Enlarged thyroid gland due to bodys attempt to
increase thyroid hormone production
Cretinism (more severe)
Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy serious
problems in baby
Stunted growth, deaf, mute, mentally retarded .

To prevent the development of endemic goiter,

tablet salt has been spiked with sodium iodide

Energy Metabolism
Chromium: CHO
Sulfur: B Vits

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
books/bv.fcgi?
rid=stryer.figgrp.1942

OTHER MINERALS

Manganese (Mn)
Selenium (Se)
Cobalt (Co)
Vanadium (Va)
Silicon (Si)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Boron (Bo)
Tin

Definition of terms

RDA: Recommended Daily Allowance.

FDA: Food and Drug Administration
ADI: Average Daily Intake

Dietary intakes of trace elements can be

assessed by direct dietary analysis and by taking
dietary histories.
To estimate positive or negative balances:
Direct measurement of total dietary intake over
several days + measurement of output in urine,
feces and other routes

Requirement
Recommendation
Requirement

Recommended

The minimum amount of a

nutrient necessary to prevent
occurrence of specific
diseases or disease
symptoms.

The average daily dietary

intake level that is sufficient to
meet the nutrient needs of
nearly all (97-98 percent)
healthy individuals in a group.

Is usually determined for an

individual person by extensive
scientific investigations.

Does not include intake for

those with any disease, (which
can be upwards of 50% of all
Americans at any given time).

Varies from individual to

individual and is affected by
body size, age, sex, and health
status.

Must come from consumption

of foods (i.e., Dietary), does
not include intake from
supplements.