Minerals (Major elements)
minera
Functions
ls
– Help in blood clotting
– Transmission of nerve
impulse.
– development of bones
and teeth.
– Increased permeability
Calcium
of cell membrane.
– –
(Ca²⁺) Contraction of skeletal
and cardiac muscles.
– Contraction of muscles
(skeletal, especially
cardiac muscles).
– Maintanance of water
balance.
Potassiu
– Transmission of nerve
m (K+) impulses.
– Carbohydrate and
protein metabolism.
– development of bones
and teeth.
– Transfer of energy in
Phospho
cell (ATP).
rus (P) –
Component of
phospholipids.
– Buffer system.
Food sources
– milk and milk products.
– meat exchange list
– fish (sardine)
– dark green vegetables.
– Oranges
– Bananas
– dried fruits
– meat and vegetables
Milk and meat are the best
sources.
Important Notes
– most abundant mineral in the body. – Calcium binders: Oxalic acid
(in vegetables), phytic acid (in
– 99% is stored in the bones and
cereals).
teeth, 1% in the blood.
– RDA : 800 mg/day for men,
– Absorption : adult (10 - 30 % ) ,
1000 mg for women,
children and pregnant women (50 -
1500 mg/day for pregnant
60 % )
women.
– factors that can increase Ca
absorption:
Deficiency diseases:
○ Acid environment in the GIT.
○ Calcium and phosphorus ○ Osteoporosis
ratio ○ Rickets
(1:1 to 2:1) in the diet.
○ increase vitamin D intake.
○ Osteomalacia
○ Presence of lactose in the
diet .
– Most abundant cation in intracellular fluid (98% in cells)
– Level of potassium in the blood is regulated by aldosterone
hormone.
– Deficiency diseases:
○ Hyperkalemia
(Symptoms: Weakness of heart contraction and
respiratory muscles.)
○ Hypokalemia
(Symptoms: Tachycardia)
– It is the Second most abundant mineral in the body.
– 85% with calcium in the bones to form calcium phosphate.
– Closely related to calcium.
– 70% of dietary
– compared to 10-30% of Ca.
– Deficiency disease:
○ End stage renal disease.
○ Hypophosphatemia
 – Synthesis of ATP. – Green vegetables. – 70% is located in the bones.
– Nerve impulse. – whole grains. – combines with calcium and phosphorus.
Magnesi – Activator of enzymes. – 30% is located inside cells.
um – Relaxation of skeletal
muscles.
(Mg+)

Hatem Alsrour -King Saud

Minerals ( minor elements OR trace elements )

minerals Functions Food sources Important Notes
– hemoglobin synthesis. – meat – Physiological needs: need the more is absorb (as in pregnancy,
– iron excretion. – fish during growth).

– synthesis of new RBC's . – poultry – factors decreases iron absorption: High fiber diet. Surgical
removal of stomach.
– cereals – About 10% of iron in mixed diet is absorbed.
– dark green – Deficiency : (iron deficiency anemia , hypochromic macrolytic
vegetables anemia )
Iron – deficiency anemia are:
○ Serum ferritin/Total iron binding
(Fe) capacity/Hemoglobin/hematocrit
○ Fatgue : decreased work performance/Risk of infection
increased/Growth impairment in infants.
○ high risk groups are: infants/pregnant
women/Adolescents/menstruation.
○ treatment: Iron supplementation and dietary management

– component of thyroid – Sea food is the – Present in the body in very small quantities (20-30 mg).
hormones. best source. – about 75% is concentrated in thyroid glands.
– regulate basal metabolic – Iodized table salt is – Requirement : the average person is very low / Increased
Iodine rate. the major dietary . amount is needed for the pregnant and lactating women.
– Diseases Deficiency:
○ goiter or enlargement of thyroid gland.
○ Cretinism
Zinc – Formation of collagen. – Egg – Zinc is second to iron in the amounts present in
– component of insulin, and – sea food the body.
(Zn) many enzymes. – milk – It is located in eyes , reproductive organs, liver,
 – vegetables. muscles and bones.

– enzymatic reactions. – Oyster – Copper and iron are metabolized in much of the
Copper – synthesis of hemoglobin – shell fish same ways and share some funtions
(Cu) and collagen. – liver
– legumes.
– It works with vitamin( E) – Liver
Selenium antioxidant. – sea foods
------
(Se) – help to protect the liver – other meats
against cirrhosis.
Fluorine – Drinking water – found mainly in bones and the enamel of teeth.
Reduces the incidence of
– Tea – Excessive intake can cause tooth mottling.
carries (cavities).
(F) – sea foods
– Liver – It is a component of many enzymes.
Molybden involved in the metabolism – Kidney
um (Mo) of nucleic acids to uric acid – Bread
Hatem Alsrour -King