Minerals

Micro Minerals

Functions of Micro Minerals or

Trace Elements
Transport of Oxygen
Regulation of BMR

Iron Fe
Most abundant trace element in the body.
DISTRIBUTION:
blood hemoglobin
muscle hemoglobin
liver
spleen
bone marrow

Functions of Fe
Carrier of Oxygen needed for cellular
respiration
For hemoglobin formation
Others

Factors that Affect Fe

Absorption

INCREASE
ABSORPTION:
Ferrous form
Vit. C in the diet
Physiologic needs
Small divided doses
of Fe supplemants
Meat factor
Use of cast Fe
skillets

DECREASE
ABSORPTION:
Ferric form
Large doses of Fe
suppls. at one time
Bulk in the diet
Phytic / oxalic acids
Tannins/polyphenolic
Surgery of the stomach
Malabsorption

Utilization of Fe
Only 10% of Fe is absorbed in the diet or
about 1 mg out of 10 mg ingested.
Fe is absorbed better in the heme pool
than in the non heme pool
10-30% of Fe is absorbed from liver and
other organ meats
<5% of Fe is absorbed from grains and
vegetables

5 Forms of Fe
Transport form
transferrin

Hemoglobin - 70% of Fe
Myoglobin - 5% of Fe
Storage Fe form - 20% of Fe
ferritin
hemosiderin

Enzymatic Fe - 5% of Fe

Sources of Fe
Animal sources
organ meats, liver, MFP

Plant sources
green vegetables, dried fruits

Fortified foods
breads and cereals

Contamination
cast Fe, water supply

Fe Deficiency
ANEMIA - reduction in the number of
RBC
IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA - reduced
number of RBCs that are smaller than
normal

 MICROCYTIC- RBCs that are smaller in

size than normal
HYPOCHROMIC - pale in color
HYPOCHROMIC MICROCYTIC ANEMIA RBCs are smaller in size and pale in color

Types and Causes of Anemia

TYPES:

CAUSES:

Nutritional Anemia
Hemorrhagic Anemia

Inadequate Fe intake
Blood loss, pregnancy,
hemorrhage, etc.

Pernicious Anemia
Malabsorption
Anemia

Lack of Vit B12

Inhibitors of Fe
absorption

Symptoms of Fe Defficiency
Pallor
Easy fatigability
Dizziness
Insomnia
Anorexia

High Risk Groups for

Developing Fe Def. Anemia
Infants
Adolescents
Pregnant Women
Menstruating Women

Fe Excess = Hemosiderosis
Due to high Fe intake through
supplements
Due to failure of the body to regulate Fe
Multiple blood transfusion
Hemochromatosis

Iodine I
Part of the hormone thyroxine produced
by the thyroid gland
DISTRIBUTION:
75% - thyroid gland
25% - muscles, blood, ovaries, all tissues

Utilization of I
Absorbed as I in the small intestine
Transported as PBI (protein bound I) to
the thyroid gland
TSH stimulated the uptake of I by the
thyroid cells
Excreted in the urine

Functions of I
For the synthesis of the thyroid hormone
thyroxine
Regulate the BMR
Growth and development of body tissue

Sources of I
I in plants and animals depend on the I
soil content
Seafoods, seaweeds are the best food
sources of I
Iodized table salt is the most reliable
source
ASIN law
*Goitrogens block the absorption of I

I Deficiency
Iodine Deficiency Disorder
goiter
cretinism
myxedema

I Excess
Iodine goiter
iodized salt licks for cows
I disinfectant from cow udders
I in animal feeds

Zinc Zn
Over 200 enzymes throughout the body
depend on Zn.
Affects the growth process, taste and
smell, healing process, immune system,
and CHO metabolism by assisting insulin
function

Zn Distribution
Eyes
Reproductive organ
Liver
Muscle
Bones
Endocrine Glands

Functions of Zn
Enzyme constituent
Insulin storage
Immune system

Sources of Zn
Animal proteins
meat, seafoods particularly oysters, milk,
eggs

Oxalic acids in vegetables hinder

absorption
Phytic acids in grains hinder absorption

Zn Deficiency
Dwarfism
Retarded sexual maturity especially in
males
Poor wound healing
Slow growth
Alopecia

Zn Excess
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps,
diarrhea, GI irritation, fever
In patients with renal failure on Hemo
Dialysis

Selenium Se
Functions as a antioxidant along with
Vitamins A, C, and E
Se balances with vitamin E, each sparing
the other.
DISTRUBUTION:
liver, kidney, heart, spleen, nails, tooth enamel

Sources of Se
Meats
Seafoods
Grains
Dairy products
Garlic

Se Deficiency
Heart failure due to cardiomyopathy
Muscular discomfort or weakness

Se Excess
Loss of hair and nails
Dental caries
Dermatitis
Peripheral nueropathy
Irritability
Fatigue
Liver damage

Fluorine F
Fluoroapatite replaces hydroxyapatite on
the teeth making them resistant to dental
caries
DISTRIBUTION:
teeth and bones

Sources of F
Drinking water
Seafoods
Tea

F Excess
Mottling of the teeth
Skeletal deformities

Copper Cu
Known as iron twin because they are
metabolized in the same ways and they
share some functions

Functions of Cu
Pairs with Fe in enzymatic reactions that
oxidize glucose and release energy
Pairs with Fe in the synthesis of
hemoglobin
Aids in the synthesis of collagen and the
maintenance of the myelin sheath around
nerve fibers.

Sources of Cu
Meats
Shellfish
Liver
Legumes
Human breast milk

Manganese Mn
Component of many enzymes involved in
metabolic reactions
DISTRIBUTION:
bones, reproductive organs, liver

Sources of Mn
Whole grains and cereal products
Coffee, tea
Nuts, peas, beans

Chromium Cr
Binds insulin to cell membranes
Associated with and increase in glucose
tolerance
Part of the glucose tolerance factor
SOURCES:
brewers yeast, grains, cereals

Molybdenum Mo
Component of enzymes involved in the
metabolism of nucleic acids to uric acid.
Important in the uptake of nitrogen in
legume plants.
DISTRIBUTION:
liver and kidneys

Source of Mo
Meats ( organ meats like liver and
kidneys)
Bread and grains

Cobalt Co
An essential part of Vit B

12

Associated with RBC formation

SOURCES:
organ meats, oysters and clams, poultry, fish,
and milk

Minerals
End of Micro minerals