The Macrominerals

INTRODUCTION
Minerals are simple inorganic elements that are non-caloric and nonremain as ash, when the food or organic compound where they are found is completely burnt.

The Essential Macrominerals

} There are seven macrominerals sometimes called major minerals are essential to human beings. The following are examples of macrominerals: a) Calcium b) Phosphorus c) Magnesium d) Potassium e) Sodium f) Chlorine g) Surfur

Calcium A. Distribution of Calcium

Of the total body weight, approximately 1.5-22% is calcium (approx.22gm/kg fat free body weight.)
B.

Functions of calcium

} Bone and teeth formation } Muscular construction } Blood coagulation } Nerve transmission } Enzyme activation and catalysts for biological reactions } Other potential functions

C. Utilization of calcium
}Absorption }Metabolism }Excretion

D. Food Sources
Calcium is present in a no. of food, but the assimilation varies depending on the kind of foods.

E. Effects of deficiency
Lack of calcium in the body causes retarded growth and development among growing children.

Osteomalacia ( adult rickets )

- The disorder of adult.

Rickets
- The deficiency dse.

Tetany
Is another deficiency disorder characterized by uncontrolled reaction of muscle tissue and increased excitability of the nerves due to lack of circulating ionized calcium.
-

Osteoporosis
- Is not same as osteomalacia .

F. Effects of excess calcium intake

A high intake of vitamin D and a high ratio of phosphorus to calcium may lead to Hypercalcemia .

Phosphorus
A. Distribution of Phosphorus
The normal person has 1 % phosphorus of his body weight. About 85% found in bones & teeth w/ calcium. The 15% remains has protein, carbohydrates and fats, along w/ calcium, sodium and magnesium ions.
.

Functions of Phosphorus

} Structural components as described (parts of bones & teeth). } Regulatory: phosphorus participates in many metabolic processes.

C. Utilization of Phosphorus
Phosphorus in the intestines is free phosphate w/ the help of the enzyme phosphates. D. Food Sources & RNI
A diet adequate in calcium & protein usually has adequate phosphorus. The foods that rich of proteins are the ff. } Cheese, Milk & Dairy products, Meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs, Nuts & Dried beans are excellent sources of phosphorus.

E. Effects of Deficiency
Severe hypophosphatemia can cause skeletal myopathy & cardiomyopathy.

F. Effects of Excess
Acute, severe hyperphosphatemia induced by IV infusion of phosphate can cause hypocalcemia severe enough to result in tetany or death.

Potassium (K)
A.

Distribution of Potassium
Potassium is the principal action present w/in the cells

or in the intracellular fluids. It also present in small amt. in the extracellular fluids.

NOTE: The chemical symbol for potassium is K (due to its

latin name Kalium .

B. Functions of Potassium
} Potassium maintains fluids & electrolyte balance } Also important for carbohydrates & protein metabolism

C. Utilization of Potassium
Potassium is absorbed in the intestines. It can also secreted as a component of digestive juices, w/c Is later reabsorbed.

D. Food Sources & Recommended Nutrient Intakes

There is considerable variation existing in the literature on the potassium level of foods.

E. Effects of Deficiency & Excess

* HYPOKALKEMIA(low serum potassium) *HYPERKALKEMIA

(elevated serum potassium)

Sulfur
A. Distribution of Sulfur
Sulfur occurs in almost every protein cell & comprises about 0.25% of body weight. It concentrated in the cytoplasm, and can found in Hair, Skin & Nails. Below is a list of some substances containing sulfur: 1. Sulfur containing Amino Acid 2. Organic Compound 3. Glycoproteins 4. Detoxification Product 5. Keratin Protein of Hair, Skin fur & Nails

B. Utilization of Sulfur
Inorganic sulfate is absorbed in the intestine as such & goes directly into the portal circulation.

C. Food Sources & RNI

Protein contains 1% sulfur so that a diet adequate in protein will contain enough sulfur.

* CYSTINE - synthesized from methionine.

D. Effects of Deficiency or Excess
A hereditary detect in tubular reabsorbed of amino acid cystine may lead to excessive excretion in the urine causing cystinuria & repeated production of cystine in the kidney causes production of cystine kidney stones.

Sodium
A. Distribution of Sodium
Sodium is a monovalent cation 50% of w/c is found in the Extracellular fluid, the vascular fluids w/in the blood vessels, Arteries, veins, capillaries & the intercellular fluids surrounding the cells. 10% - found in the cells 40% - found in the skeletal bound the surface of bone crystals
B.

Function of Sodium
Sodium is responsible for maintaining fluid balance.

And also responsible for maintaining acid-base balance. It also allows the passage of materials like glucose.

C. Utilization of Sodium
about 7 15 gm salt are ingested daily in the filipino Diet. Sodium is absorbed in the stomach to a small, but most of it is absorbed from the small intestine. The absorption of sodium requires energy.

D. Food Sources
Sodium is present in natural foods in varying amt. & in compounds needed to process foods. *Foods that have good sources are: Carrots, spinach & celery.

E. Recommended Nutrient Intakes

Allowance & requirements for sodium have not been determined yet, but it should equal the amt. needed by the body for growth, sweat & secretion, urine, stools & nonsweat losses from the skin.

F. Effects of Deficiency or Excess

A deficiency of sodium ( hyponatremia ) can occur in: 1. dehydration as in heat exhaustion 2. after surgical procedures w/ mark loss of blood 3. after mark vomiting & diarrhea 4. after long term & vigorous treatment w/ very restricted

Chlorine
A. Distribution of Chlorine
Chlorine is a major anion in the extracellular fluids. The cerebrospinal fluid has highest concentration of chloride.

B. Function of Chlorine
Chlorine functions always in combination w/ sodium or w/ potassium, in helping to maintain fluid & electrolyte balance & acid balance.

C. Utilization of Chlorine
Chlorine is almost completely absorbed in the intestine & excreted by the kidney. The so- called chloride shift in the physiology helps maintain acid base balance.

D. Food Sources & RNI

The major source of chlorine is table salt ( NaCl). Generally when sodium intake is adequate, chlorine will also be provided for to the diet. There is still no established requirement for chlorine.

E. Effects of Deficiency
Alkalosis results when there is an excessive loss of chloride ions from the gastric secretion during continued vomiting, diarrhea or tube drainage. The chloride ions are replaced by the bicarbonate ions when such secretions are lost.

Magnesium
A. Distribution of Magnesium
About 50% of the magnesium in the body is present in the bones in combination w/ phosphate & calcium, the remaining is almost entirely inside the body cells w/ only about 1% in extracellular fluid.

B. Functions of Magnesium
Magnesium, w/c is concentrated in the mitochondria of the cell, is an essential part of many enzyme system responsible for transfer of energy. It is the key core of the chlorophyll molecule, It also essential in cellular metabolism & it is necessary to promote the conduction of nerve impulses & to allow normal muscular contraction.

Magnesium may also increase the stability of calcium in the tooth enamel. Magnesium is related to cortisone in the regulation of blood phosphorus level.it also influences the secretion of thyroxin & the maintenance of normal basal metabolic rate.

C. Utilization of Magnesium
Magnesium is absorbed in the small intestine. the total intake of magnesium, about 43% is absorbed.

D. Food Sources
Magnesium is relatively widespread in foods, but it is abundant in nuts, soybeans, meat, milk, cocoa, seafood, whole grains, dried beans & green peas or peas.

E. Recommended Nutrient Intakes

The daily recommended intake for magnesium for adults 19 yrs. & over, 235 mg/day for females.

F. Effects of Deficiency or Excess

Magnesium deficiency ( HYPOMAGNESEMIC TETANY ) Has been observed among infants & children suffering from kwashiorkor & in dse. Characterized by intestinal mal absorption , prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. Aldosteronism & hyperparathyroidism can also lead to magnesium deficiency. Hypermagnesemia or toxity of magnesium result in hypotension, arrythmia or even cardiac arrest, ECG changes , Decrease tendon reflex & coma.

* THE END*
BY: PRINCESS ALEXANDRIA R. ROMERO AND MARK JAYSON A. YANGA