Nutrition: Mineral & Trace Elements

• Deposition of calcium and phosphorus in teeth and bones

• Promotes bone and dental health

What is fluoride's major role in the body?

Fluoridated water, tea, seafood, seaweed

What are common food sources of fluoride?

Dental caries

Fluoride deficiency is associated with an increase in what condition?

Fluorosis; causes mottling of the teeth

What is fluoride toxicity called, and what does it cause?

About 1.8x more, due to reduced bioavailability of non-heme iron

How much more iron do vegetarians need, and why?

Men: ~1.0 mg/day; Women: ~2.0 mg/day

What is the baseline daily iron loss replacement need for men vs. women?

Iodine deficiency leads to decreased T4 (thyroxine); low T4 triggers increased pituitary TSH secretion; TSH overstimulates the thyroid, causing hyperplasia (goiter)

Explain the feedback mechanism behind goiter formation in iodine deficiency

Because iodine is well regulated by the kidneys

Why is iodine toxicity rare?

Genetics, or too many blood transfusions

What causes PRIMARY hemochromatosis?

Hemolytic anemia, chronic alcoholism, or liver conditions

What causes SECONDARY (acquired) hemochromatosis?

Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic

Name 4 toxic elements that are NOT essential nutrients

• Body adjusts mineral absorption based on need

• Minerals can inhibit absorption of other minerals

• Fiber

• Food processing (e.g., soil composition)

Factors affecting mineral bioavailability

FALSE - minerals are inorganic substances

T/F: Minerals are organic substances

True

T/F: Minerals are a natural food component and they are considered essential

To strip the land of nutrients

What does over-farming mean?

- Body adjusts mineral absorption to our needs

- Some minerals can inhibit the absorption of other minerals

- Fiber affects absorption

What is the bioavailability of minerals?

Phytate

Fiber

Person's needs

Acidity of intestinal environment

Polyphenols

Oxalate

Other minerals competing for absorption

What are all of the factors that affect bioavilability of minerals?

calcium

magnesium

sodium

fluoride

name 4 minerals that are found in water:

soil

where are minerals derived from?

macro mineral (#1 in the picture)

minerals that are required in greater amounts, at least 100 mg/day for body function

micro mineral (#2 in the picture)

minerals that are required in less amounts, less than 20 mg/day for body function:

macro mineral

what type of mineral is phosphorus (P)?

macro mineral

what type of mineral is magnesium (Mg)?

macro mineral

what type of mineral is sulfur?

macro mineral

what type of mineral is sodium (Na)?

macro mineral

what type of mineral is potassium (K)?

macro mineral

what type of mineral is chloride (Cl)?

macro mineral

what type of mineral is calcium (Ca)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is iron (Fe)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is zinc (Zn)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is iodine (I)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is fluoride (F)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is copper (Cu)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is chromium (Cr)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is cobalt (Co)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is manganese (Mn)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is selenium (Se)?

micro mineral

what type of mineral is molybdenum (Mo)?

Iron, Zinc, and Iodine

Micromineral deficiencies are rare in adults on usual diets except for what minerals?

1. Cell structure - structural integrity of bones and teeth

2. Regulatory function - Metalloenzymes - removal of metal ion results in complete loss of biological function

3. Transport - Cofactors act as electron carriers

4. Components of vitamins - Sulfer in thiamin (B1) and biotin cobalt in vitamin B12

5. Maintenance of water and acid-base balance - Blood pressure

6. Nerve response regulators - Muscle contraction, nerve impulse

What are the 6 functions of trace metals?

- Normally ranges vary greatly

- Usually expressed as PPM (parts per million or micrograms per gram) or PPB (parts per billion or nanograms per gram)

- Concentrations must be maintained within narrow limits to protect structural and functional integrity

- Levels of trace elements may vary with age, genetics, gender, activity level, diet, environment and developmental stage

How much trace metals do we need?

Arsenic, nickel, and chromium

- All elements are toxic if ingested or inhaled at high enough levels for long periods of time

What elements have been implicated in carcinogenesis?

66% (hemoglobin transports oxygen)

____ % of iron in the body is located on Hemoglobin (Hb)

25%

____ % of iron in the body is stores as ferritin

5% (Myoglobin facilitates uptake of oxygen)

____ % of iron in the body is located on Myoglobin (Mb)

Essential for cellular respiration

- Cytochrome oxidase: Electron transport chain

- Catalyse: Breaks down hydrogen peroxide

Iron-containing enzymes (1% of iron in the body):

oxygen

the crucial function of iron is to provide ___ for the cells of the body

1. Replacement of body losses (ex: bleeding from injury/menstruation)

2. Growth (increased blood volume and tissue mass)

3. Pregnancy and postpartum (increased blood volume, growing fetus, and blood loss during childbirth)

What are the 3 needs of iron?

It is stored in ferritin (a storage protein) and hemosiderin

What happens to excess iron in the body?

It is stored in ferritin within intestinal cells

What happens to iron if the body doesn't need it immediately?

Looses via sweat, skin, urine, blood

How is iron loss from the body?

Carries iron in blood

What does transferrin do?

Liver and spleen

Where is iron stored when dismantled from red blood cells?

C) Heme iron

Which form of iron is most readily absorbed in the body?

A) Ferric (Fe³⁺)

B) Ferrous (Fe²⁺)

C) Heme iron

D) Non-heme

It dissolves and solubilizes iron from food, aiding absorption

- Acid aids in conversion to Fe2+ (form more easily absorbed)

How does stomach acidity influence iron absorption?

Inversely related

What is the relationship between iron dosage and absorption?

Strict vegans (7-10% absorbed from plant sources, 10-30% absorbed from animal sources)

Which group might need to be more concerned about non-heme iron absorption?

Non-heme iron

Which type of iron absorption is affected by diet composition?

HCl

Which acid helps to enhance iron absorption in the stomach?

C) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

Which of the following vitamins is known to facilitate iron absorption?

A) Vitamin D

B) Vitamin B12

C) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

D) Vitamin A

Increases iron absorption

What impact does cooking in an iron skillet have on iron absorption?

B) Lactose and fructose

Which sugars are known to facilitate iron absorption?

A) Glucose and sucrose

B) Lactose and fructose

C) Maltose and dextrose

D) Galactose and mannose

Growth and Pregnancy

Blood loss

Which physiological states are associated with enhanced iron absorption?

B) Polyphenols

Which of the following compounds found in tea and coffee can inhibit iron absorption?

A) Vitamin C

B) Polyphenols

C) Fiber

D) Protein

Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc

Which minerals can interfere with iron absorption when consumed in large amounts?

They inhibit iron absorption.

What effect do phytates found in whole grains and legumes have on iron absorption?

Decreases iron absorption by binding to iron

What is the impact of consuming iron chelators on iron absorption?

True

T/F: Fiber and antacids are absorption inhibitors

Athletes (most)

Younger pop. (growth)

Pregnant women/fetus/elderly

Blood loss (injury/menstruation/burns/ulcers)

Anemic

Impaired absorption (elderly - less HCl in stomach, malabsorption)

Economic status

Vegetarianism

what populations require more iron?

heme form

this form of iron is organic and protein bound (animals), readily absorbed

non-heme form

this form of iron is inorganic and plant sourced, not readily absorbed, relies of food composition

acid, vitamin C, sugars, iron skillet

what helps increase the body's iron absorption?

liver

spleen

bone marrow

name the 3 main iron storage sites:

male (1000 mg vs females: 300 mg)

who stores more iron, male or female?

female

who requires more iron, male or female?

Heme iron

Organ meats, red meats, poultry, oysters, clams, and fish are sources of:

Non-heme iron

Molasses, figs, dates, beans, nuts, green vegetables and grain products are sources of:

1. Hemodilution

2. Intravascular hemolysis (breakdown of RBC)

3. Sweat (lose iron)

4. Increased GI transit time (decrease iron absorption)

5. Increased rate of cell turnover

Why do athletes need more iron?

Decreased hematocrit (percentage of RBCs in blood)

What is the effect of hemodilution on blood?

Anemia affects maximal oxygen consumption and impairs muscle function independently

How does anemia affect muscle function?

Impaired cognitive function - when corrected, some CNS problems remain (maybe demyelination)

What cognitive effect is observed in children with iron deficiency?

2x risk of maternal death

2x premature delivery

3x low birth weight

Increased infant mortality

What are the risks associated with moderate anemia during pregnancy?

C) Impaired cell-mediated immunity and phagocytosis

Which immune functions are affected by iron deficiency?

A) Increased antibody production

B) Enhanced immune response

C) Impaired cell-mediated immunity and phagocytosis

D) Strengthened host defense mechanisms

iron

PICA is a condition where you eat things other than food (ice, clay, starch, dirt) as a result of a ____ deficiency

Headache

Dizziness

Fatigue

Impaired cognitive function

Gastric atrophy

Plummer-vinson syndrome

Pica

What are some signs of iron deficiency

Plummer-vinson syndrome

What is the following syndrome:

- Iron deficiency anemia

- Esophageal webbing

- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

- Koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails)

- Glossitis

oral manifestations of iron deficiency

What are the following signs of:

- angular stomatitis

- pallor of mucous membrane (lips, gingiva, oral mucosa, glossitis)

- sore and burning tongue all indicate

hemochromatosis (can be primary, secondary, or acquired)

Iron toxicity can be defined as

Absorbed: Throughout the small intestine

Stored: In the thyroid gland

Excreted: By the kidneys

Where is iodine absorbed? Where is iodine stored in the body? How is it excreted?

- Growths and development

- Mental development

- Basal metabolic rate

- Energy metabolism

The main constituent of thyroid hormone, which is essential for:

-impairs muscle function, cognitive function, increased perinatal maternal mortality & impaired host defense mechanisms

Effects of Iron Deficiency

- Iodine supplements during pregnancy

- Iodized salt

- Living near seacoast

- Iodine supplementation of other foods

Food sources of iodine:

iodine deficiency

if a patient presents with goiter neck, the patient most likely has a:

iodine

during pregnancy, a deficiency in _____ is linked to stillbirths, miscarriage, and congenital abnormalities

protein

iron travel through the blood bound to _____

protein

zinc travel through the blood bound to _____

small intestine

zinc absorbed in the ________

Zinc

Functions for ___________:

- Wound healing

- Immune function

- Taste and appetite

- Cell growth/replication

- Sexual maturation/reproduction

- DNA/RNA synthesis & degradation

Zinc deficency

What are the following all indications of.....

- Growth retardation

- Impaired reproductive ability

- Decreased wound healing

- Hair loss

- Skeletal abnormalities

- Taste changes

- Immune status related to zinc status

- Beef, lamb, pork, veal

- Dairy

- Shellfish

- Legumes

- Peanuts, peanut butter

- Dark green and leafy vegetables

- Oysters (well above the RDA value)

Common food sources of zinc: