5 - Minerals/Vitamins Glossary Terms

Mineral

Refers to all inorganic elements in a food that are essential for physiological function.

Macromineral

Essential inorganic elements required by the animal in the diet in percentage amounts (e.g., Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium).

Micromineral (Trace Mineral)

Essential inorganic elements required in much smaller quantities, at mg/kg or parts per million (ppm) (e.g., Iron, Zinc, Iodine).

Homeostasis

The self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions; crucial for maintaining optimal mineral levels.

Antagonistic Interaction

When two minerals interfere with each other's absorption or utilization, such as Calcium and Magnesium.

Synergistic Interaction

When two minerals work together or enhance each other's function or absorption, such as Iron and Copper.

Availability (of minerals)

The proportion of an ingested nutrient that is absorbed and utilized by the body, influenced by the chemical form of the mineral.

Vitamin

An organic compound (other than fat, protein, or carbohydrate) that is an essential component of the diet, required in very small amounts, causes deficiency symptoms when absent, and is not synthesized in sufficient quantities by the body.

Vitamer

Different forms or isomers of the same vitamin, often with varying biological activities (e.g., α-tocopherol vs. γ-tocopherol for Vitamin E).

Provitamin

A compound that requires activation or conversion in the body before it becomes a biologically active vitamin (e.g., β-carotene to Vitamin A).

Conditionally Essential Nutrient

A nutrient that is not normally required in the diet because the body can synthesize it, but may become essential under specific physiological conditions like disease or increased metabolic demand.

Active Transport

A mechanism of substance absorption that requires energy and specific transporter proteins to move molecules across cell membranes, often against a concentration gradient.

Bile Salts

Steroid acids produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, essential for the emulsification of fats and the formation of micelles, which are critical for fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

Micelle

An aggregate of molecules in a colloidal solution, formed by bile salts and lipids (including fat-soluble vitamins) during digestion, enabling their transport and absorption in the small intestine.

Lipid Depots

Areas in the body where fats are stored, serving as storage sites for fat-soluble vitamins.

Intestinal Microflora

The community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) residing in the intestines, which can play a role in synthesizing certain vitamins (e.g., Vitamin K).