Unit 6 – Micronutrients II: Minerals

Unit 6 – Micronutrients II:
Minerals

1. Can you give examples of 3 minerals which are required in large amounts?
The minerals which are needed in large amounts include phosphorous, calcium and magnesium.
2. Can you give examples of 3 trace minerals?
The trace minerals include manganese, iron and copper.
3. Can you think of another function of minerals not mentioned here?
Minerals help in growth of the body along with development and staying healthy. It also helps in
building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. These are also used in making hormones
and maintaining a normal heartbeat (Patel and et.al., 2017).
4. Anything missing from these lists?
Minerals: Chloride, Chromium, copper, molybdenum, manganese and selenium.
Trace elements: Iron, cobalt, and Zinc.
5. Anything else you can add to this list?
The variation in the mineral requirements is due to life stages.
6. Can give examples of any groups of people who may need more of a particular mineral?
This can be evident from the example of women of childbearing age as they have more need of
iron than men because they have specific functions to carry in body and which is why some
nutrients are needed more at this time.
7. Anything else you can add to this list?
Mineral Bioavailability can be depended upon dietary factors, nutrition and health of person,
nutrient-nutrient interactions, excretory losses etc.
8. Find out about bioavailability of iron. Write a short paragraph on it.
The bioavailability of iron is estimated to be in the range of 14-18% foe mixed diets and for the
vegetarian diet people it is estimated to be in the range of 5-12% assuming no iron stores. These
help in generating dietary reference values for almost all the population groups.
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9. What is iron deficiency anaemia? Who does it affect?
Anaemia is considered to be the common condition which can occur in both women and men of
any ethnic group and age. Some people tend to have greater risk of iron deficiency anaemia as
compared to others (Dhaliwal and et.al., 2019). For example, women of childbearing age and the
pregnant women have more deficiency of iron which causes anaemia.
10. What happens if one is deficient in iodine?
Lack of iodine in body can cause uncomfortable and severe symptoms. These include pregnancy
related issues, swelling in the neck, learning difficulties and weight gain. This is considered to be
the cause of goiter and thyroid enlargement.
11. Give an example of the effects of a mineral when an excess amount of it is present in the
body?
When there is greater than normal intake of zinc or vitamin C, it can cause diarrhoea, nausea and
stomach cramps. Another example is greater amount of selenium in the body can cause great hair
loss, fatigue, and gastrointestinal upset and mild nerve damage.
12. How is calcium balance maintained?
Parathyroid hormone helps in regulating the calcium levels in blood by increasing its levels when
it becomes low. This can be done by it through actions on kidneys, bones and intestines.
13. How does vitamin D enhance calcium absorption?
The major function of vitamin D is increasing the calcium absorption from the intestine. Calcium
is basically absorbed by energy dependent pathways known as active trans-cellular pathway and
passive para-cellular pathways through the tight junctions.
14. Are hormones involved in calcium balance?
Yes, the main hormones which are responsible for the calcium homeostatis include parathyroid
hormone and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. These helps in controlling extracellular fluid calcium on
chronic basis. This is done by specific actions on bones, kidneys and intestine.
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15. Does requirement for calcium change during pregnancy and lactation?
This is evaluated that the absorption of calcium increases according to the maternal calcium
intake. During pregnancy and lactation, the body of mother adapts to the calcium needs of the
growing foetus and newborns without even increasing the dietary calcium (Pascual and et.al.,
2019).
14. How do phylates and oxalates inhibit calcium absorption?
These have high affinity for binding materials such as iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc. If
potable amounts of phylates are consumed in foods then the calcium intake can be lower. When
the binding of material is done by phytic acid then this becomes unavailable for absorption.
15. Can you find any other inhibitory factors?
Along with phytic and oxalic acid, the food with high levels of oxalic acid include collard
greens, sweet potatoes, spinach, beans etc are also considered as other inhibitory factors in
calcium bioavailability and absorption.
16. What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis leads to weak and brittle bones. The bones become brittle such that even mild stress
or fall such as coughing or bending can lead to fracture. This mainly occurs in wrist, hip or
spine.
17. The adult version of ‘rickets’ is called what?
Rickets in adults is termed as osteomalacia or soft bones.
18. Can you find anything else to add to this list?
The functions of magnesium include maintaining normal muscle and nerve functions, supporting
a healthy immune system, keeping the heartbeat steady, helping bones remain strong, helping
adjusting blood glucose levels, producing energy and protein etc.
19. How can magnesium status/levels be assessed?
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