Nutrition Chapter 13: The Trace Minerals

Comprehensive vocabulary cards covering the essential trace minerals, their roles, deficiency symptoms, and specific conditions related to their metabolism.

Trace Minerals

Essential mineral nutrients required by the body in relatively small amounts, whose food content varies based on soil composition, water composition, and food processing.

Ferrous and Ferric

The two ionic states of iron that allow it to act as a cofactor to enzymes in oxidation-reduction reactions.

Hemoglobin

The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

Myoglobin

The iron-holding protein in muscle cells that makes oxygen available for muscle contraction.

Ferritin

The primary iron-storage protein that captures iron from food and stores it in the cells of the small intestine.

Transferrin

The iron-transport protein that moves iron through the blood to various tissues.

Heme Iron

The form of iron found only in animal foods, characterized by high bioavailability with an absorption rate of approximately $25\%$.建设

Nonheme Iron

The form of iron found in both plant and animal foods, which is less well-absorbed (about $17\%\text{ absorption}$) and influenced by dietary factors like Vitamin C.

MFP Factor

A peptide found in meat, fish, and poultry that enhances the absorption of nonheme iron from other foods eaten at the same meal.

Phytates

Compounds found in legumes, rice, and whole grains that act as factors inhibiting iron absorption.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

A severe depletion of iron stores that results in low hemoglobin concentrations, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.

Pica

A behavioral symptom of iron deficiency characterized by the craving and consumption of nonfood substances such as ice, chalk, or clay.

Hereditary Hemochromatosis

The most common genetic disorder in the United States, characterized by iron overload due to the failure to prevent absorption of unneeded dietary iron.

Hepcidin

A hormone produced by the liver that regulates iron balance by limiting absorption from the small intestine and controlling release from storage.

Enteropancreatic Circulation

The recycling pathway of zinc from the pancreas to the small intestine and back to the pancreas.

Albumin

The main transport protein for zinc in the blood.

Menkes Disease

A genetic disorder where intestinal cells absorb copper but cannot release it into circulation, causing a life-threatening copper deficiency.

Wilson's Disease

A genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver and brain, creating a toxicity risk.

Manganese

A trace mineral that acts as a cofactor for enzymes facilitating metabolism and is involved in bone formation and the conversion of pyruvate.

Iodide

The form of iodine that is readily absorbed by the body and used by the thyroid gland.

Goiter

An enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency and the subsequent rise in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Cretinism

A congenital disease characterized by mental and physical retardation, caused by severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy.

Selenium

A trace mineral that functions as an antioxidant as part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and is found in soil, meats, and Brazil nuts.

Keshan Disease

A type of heart disease associated with selenium deficiency, originally identified in regions of China with low-selenium soil.

Fluorapatite

The stabilized form of tooth crystal in which fluoride has replaced the hydroxyl groups of hydroxyapatite, making teeth more resistant to decay.

Fluorosis

Discoloration and pitting of tooth enamel caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development.

Chromium

A trace mineral that enhances insulin action and helps maintain glucose homeostasis; deficiency may result in a diabetes-like condition.

Molybdenum

A trace mineral that acts as a working part of several metalloenzymes, with sources including legumes, breads, and leafy green vegetables.

Heavy Metals

Contaminant minerals like lead, mercury, and cadmium that disrupt body processes by displacing nutrient minerals from their metabolic sites.