Nutrition exam 4 final

Mineral nutrients

Inorganic elements required in small amounts essential for physiological functions.

Macrominerals

Minerals needed in greater than 100 mg/day, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur.

Trace elements

Minerals needed in less than 100 mg/day, including iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, manganese, fluoride, molybdenum, and chromium.

Calcium functions

Bone and teeth formation, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood clotting, and enzyme activation.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Hormone that regulates blood calcium levels by promoting bone resorption and increasing calcium reabsorption in kidneys.

Calcitonin

Hormone that helps lower blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity.

Osteoblasts

Cells that build bone by depositing calcium.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone and release calcium into the blood.

Bioavailability

The proportion of a nutrient that is absorbed and utilized by the body.

Enhancers of calcium absorption

Factors like vitamin D, acidic pH, lactose, and certain amino acids that increase calcium uptake.

Inhibitors of calcium absorption

Factors like phytates, oxalates, excessive fiber, and high sodium or protein diets that reduce calcium uptake.

Good dietary sources of calcium

Includes dairy products, fortified plant milks, leafy greens (low oxalate), almonds, tofu, and canned fish with bones.

Iron functions

Transport of oxygen, enzyme cofactor in redox reactions, energy metabolism, and DNA synthesis.

Enhancers of iron bioavailability

Vitamin C and meat, fish, poultry (MFP factor) that boost iron absorption.

Inhibitors of iron bioavailability

Phytates, polyphenols, calcium, and oxalates that hinder iron absorption.

Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1)

Transporter that imports Fe²⁺ into enterocytes.

Ferritin

Intracellular protein that stores iron.

Ferroportin

Exporter that transports iron from cells to the blood.

Hepcidin

Hormone that regulates iron absorption by degrading ferroportin.

Heme iron

Iron found in animal sources, better absorbed than non-heme iron.

Non-heme iron

Iron found in plant sources, less efficiently absorbed.

Systemic iron homeostasis

Regulated by hepcidin, which modulates how much iron is released into circulation.

Cellular iron homeostasis

Maintained by iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) that influence the synthesis of ferritin and transferrin receptors.

Indicators of iron status

Serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Hemochromatosis

Genetic disorder resulting in excessive iron absorption and accumulation, leading to organ damage.

Conditions increasing iron requirements

Pregnancy, menstruation, growth phases, blood loss, and endurance athletes' needs.

Zinc homeostasis regulation

Managed through zinc transporters (ZIPs and ZnTs) and metallothionein binding.

Menkes disease

Genetic disorder causing copper deficiency due to transport defect (ATP7A mutation).

Wilson's disease

Genetic disorder causing copper toxicity due to impaired excretion (ATP7B mutation).

Iodine function

Essential for thyroid hormone synthesis (T3, T4); deficiencies can lead to goiter and cretinism.

Selenium functions

Component of selenoproteins, acts as an antioxidant, and is involved in thyroid hormone metabolism.

Nutrient-nutrient interactions

The influence of one nutrient's absorption or metabolism on that of another, e.g., vitamin C enhancing iron absorption.

Personalized nutrition

Tailored dietary advice that caters to individual preferences and lifestyle factors.

Precision nutrition

Nutritional strategy that uses biological data to optimize individual health outcomes.

Nutritional genomics

Field studying how genes and nutrients interact with each other.

Nutrigenetics

How genetic variation affects a person's response to nutrients.

Nutrigenomics

How nutrients affect gene expression.

Epigenetics

Heritable changes in gene expression not caused by changes in DNA sequence, often influenced by diet.

Prebiotics

Non-digestible compounds that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Probiotics

Live beneficial bacteria that can provide health benefits when consumed.

Symbiotics

Combination of prebiotics and probiotics to improve gut health.

Osteoporosis

Disease characterized by weakened bones and increased fracture risk, often silent until significant damage occurs.

Phosphorus functions

Part of DNA and RNA structure, assists in energy metabolism, and is a major buffer system.

Magnesium functions

Supports bone health, energy metabolism, and the functioning of numerous enzymatic systems.

Iron overload

Condition caused by excessive iron, potentially leading to organ damage and toxicity.

Zinc toxicity

Result of excessive zinc that can interfere with copper metabolism.

Copper metabolism disorders

Genetic diseases affecting copper transport and regulation in the body.

Selenium toxicity

Excessive intake can lead to selenosis, which is harmful to health.

Fluoride functions

Supports deposition of calcium and phosphorus in teeth and bones, protecting against dental caries.