Calcium and Sodium (5)

Approximately 2% of body weight

What percentage of total body weight is calcium?

• 99%: Deposited as calcium phosphate crystals in bone → strengthens bones and teeth

• 1%: Intra and extracellular fluid:

  • Muscle contrraction

  • Blood clotting

  • Enzymes

  • Nervous system messages

Where is calcium found in the body in what percentage, and what is the role? (5)

• Stomach acid

• Vitamin D

• Lactose

What factors enhance the absorption of calcium? (3)

• Vitamin D deficiency

• Dietary fibre

• Phytates (seeds and nuts)

• Oxalates (Spinach and beetroot)

What factors reduce the absorption of calcium? (4)

• Decreased bone mineral density → Brittle weak bones → Osteroporosis

What effect does a calcium deficiency cause?

Adults: 1000mg

Women: 1300

Men: 1300

What is the recommended daily intake of calcium for:

• Adults (<50)

• Older women (>50)

• Older men (>70)

• Regulation of extracellular fluid

• Acid-base balance

• Nerve impulse transmission

• Muscle contraction

What is the function of sodium? (4)

• Hypertension (for some people)

  • In turn, higher risk of cardiovascular and renal disease.

What is the result of too high a sodium intake? (3)

• Sodium chloride has a greater effect than sodium or chloride alone.

What kind of sodium has the highest effect on blood pressure?

75% from salt added to products by manufacturers

Where does most of a person’s salt intake come from?

AI: 20-40 mmol/day

UL: 100 mmol/day

SDT: 70 mmol/day

What is the Adequate Intake, Upper Limit and Suggested Dietary Target of sodium for an adult?

• Acute gastroenteritis

• Severe sweating

• Water intoxication

What are 3 pathological causes of sodium deficiency?

• Loss through

  • Urine

  • Sweating

  • Diarrhoea

  • Vomiting

What are the symptoms, caused by pathology, that may result in sodium deficiency? (4)

• Muscle cramps

• nausea

• Vomting

• Shock, coma, death

What can sodium deficiency lead to? (4)