Minerals

What are minerals

Single atoms that perform a wide variety of metabolic tasks that are essential for life. 25 are essential.

Major mineral

Refers to the amount of a mineral and not the importance. Must come from food. More than 100 mg/day

• Calcium

• Phosphorus

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Magnesium

• Chloride

• Sulfur

Trace minerals

No less important but just lesser amount than major minerals. Less than 100 mg/day

Function of minerals

• Building tissue

• activating, regulating transmitting and controlling metabolism

Calcium (Ca)

• Bone and tooth formation

• Blood clotting

  • Necessary for fibrin formation

• Muscle and nerve function

  • Calcium ions required for muscle contractions and release of neurotransmitters from neuron synapses

• Metabolic reactions

  • Absorption of b12

  • Activation of lipase

  • Secretion of insulin

  • Govern cell membrane permeability to nutrients

Calcium levels influencers

Vitamin d, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, estrogen hormones

Phosphorus (P)

• Bone and tooth formation

• Energy metabolism

• Acid base balance

  • Maintain pH homeostasis of body fluids

• Has inverse relationship with calcium levels. More calcium less phosphorus and opposite

Sodium (Na)

• Major extracellular fluid control

• Water and acid base balance

• Muscle action

• Transmission of nerve impulse And resulting contraction

• Nutrient absorption

Potassium (K)

• Major intercellular fluid control

• Acid base balance

• Regulation of nerve impulse and muscle contractions

• blood pressure regulation

• Metabolic reaction

Chloride (Cl)

• Acid base balance (Chloride shift)

• Hydrochloride acid (digestion)

Magnesium (Mg)

• Coenzyme in metabolism

• Muscle and nerve action

• Helps thyroid hormone secretion

Sulfur (S)

• Essential constituent of cell protein, hair, skin, nails, vitamins, and collagen structure

• Energy metabolism