MAJOR MINERALS

1.CALCIUM
- 1.5 -2.2 % OF TOTAL FAT FREE BODY WEIGHT
- 99% IN BONES AND TEETH

- 1 % IN SOFT TISSUES
*Circulates in body fluids as ionized Ca which
is vital to life.
FUNCTIONS
1. Bones and teeth formation
HYDROXYAPATITE
- is a naturally occuring mineral form of
calcium apatite.
- causes the hardening of the CHON
matrix of the bone, called COLLAGEN
2. Nerve transmission
- calcium ions
- neurotransmitter containing vesicles
- acetylcholine
- synaptic cleft
3. Muscular contraction
- an ionized Ca participate in muscular
contraction and relaxation.
- the muscles contain a contractile units
called MYOFIBRILS which are in turn
composed of muscle CHONs – MYOSIN
and ACTIN.
- when Ca ions activate myosin and actin
energy is released from ATP to fuel
the contraction.
4. Blood coagulation
- when cells are injured , Ca ions and
platelets potentiated the release of an ezyme
THROMBOKINASE
- THROMBOKINASE catalyzes the
conversion of PROTHROMBIN to active blood
enzyme called THROMBIN ,that also catalyzes
FIBRINOGEN to produce FIBRIN – forms
network of fibers trapping blood causing it to
clot.
CALCIUM BALANCE
*If Ca in the blood rises too high system of
hormones and vitamin D promotes deport
into the bones.
* If Ca in the blood falls too low , the
regulatory system acts in 3 locations to raise
it
1. The SI absorbs more Ca
2. Bones release more Ca
3. Kidneys excrete less Ca
FOOD SORCES OF CALCIUM
2. PHOSPHORUS
- 1 % OF TOTAL FAT FREE BODY WEIGHT
- 85 % IS IN BONES AND TEETH WITH Ca
- 15% IN METABOLIC POOL
FUNCTIONS
1. Phosphorylation of glucose
2. P is a constituent of the active form of thiamin as
THIAMIN PYROPHOSPHATE

DEFICIENCY
HYPOPHOSPHATEMIA
TOXICITY
HYPERPHOSPHATEMIA
3. PHOSPHORUS
3. POTASSIUM
- 2.6 GRAMS /KG FAT FREE BODY WEIGHT
- small amounts in the extracellular fluid
- principal cation present within the cell or
in the intracellular fluids
- plays a role in every heartbeat.
A hundred thousand times a day,
it helps trigger your heart to squeeze blood
through your body.
It also helps your muscles to move, your nerves
to work, and your kidneys to filter blood.
- levels in the blood is controlled by the
kidneys and the adrenocortical hormones
particularly aldosterone.

- if level in the blood increases to a very high,

muscular coordination is disturbed and
cardiac arrest occurs.
- This will happen when the kidney fails to
excrete K as in UREMIA.
DEFICIENCY
HYPOKALEMIA
– low serum K
– results when there is malnutrition and
prolonged GIT loss of K as in vomiting , diarrhea
and diabetic acidosis.

TOXICITY
HYPERKALEMIA
– elevated serum K
– due to kidney disorder
4. POTASSIUM
4. SODIUM
1.8 mg / KG OF FAT FREE BODY WEIGHT
- 50 % IN EXTRACELLULAR FLUID,
IN VASCULAR FLUIDS WITHIN THE
BLOOD VESSELS , ARTERIES , VEINS,
CAPILLARIES AND THE INTERCELLULAR
FLUIDS SORROUNDING THE CELLS
- 10 % WITHIN THE CELLS
- 40 % IN THE SKELETON BOUND IN THE
SURFACE OF BONE CRYSTALS
FUNCTIONS
1. Allows passage of materials-like glucose through
the cell wall.
2. Maintains normal muscle irritability or excitability.
DEFICIENCY
HYPONATREMIA
– occurs when there is dehydration as in:
heat exhaustion especially large intake of
water without providing additional salt
- after surgical procedures with marked loss
of blood
- after marked vomiting and diarrhea
 - after long term and vigorous treatment
with very restricted Na diet.
- if deficient there is reduction of Na in the
extracellular fluid and blood volume ,
the veins will collapsed , blood pressure
is low and pulse is rapid
TOXICITY
- if excessive edema will results as in HPN
and kidney disorders
DASH – DIETARY APPROACH TO STOP
HYPERTENSION
- emphazises fruits , vegetables , low fat
dairy products , whole grains , nuts ,
poultry and fish.
- reduced intake of red meat , butter and
other high fat foods.
SODIUM
5. SULFUR
.25% BODY WEIGHT
Concentrated in the cytoplasm but highest
concentration in the hair , nails and skin
FUNCTIONS
1. Maintain CHON structure
2. Activates enzymes
3. Participates in detoxification reaction by
which toxic materials conjugate with active
sulfate and convert these to non-toxic forms ,
which are secreted in the urine.
5. SULFUR
6. CHLORINE
- major anion in the extracellular fluid
- cerebrospinal fluid has the highest
concentration of Cl
- ionized Cl is found in GIT secretion as HCl
- can also be found within the cells
- Cl contibutes to the neccesary acidity
needed in the stomach and for the
activation of pepsinogen to pepsin for
the breakdown of CHON
6. CHLORINE
7. MAGNESIUM
-.5 grams/kg fat free body weight
DEFICIENCY
HYPOMAGNESEMIC TETANY
- observed among infants and children suffering
from kwashiorkor
- characterized by intestinal malabsorption ,
prolonged diarrhea and vomiting
TOXICITY
HYPERMAGNESEMIA
-will result in hypotention ,arrhythmia or even
cardiac arrest.
7. MAGNESIUM
 TRACE MINERALS
1.IRON
- both plants and animals contain Fe
- only 10 – 15 % of dietary iron in absorbed
- there is increase in Fe needs during
pregnancy ,for growth and development
in children
TRANSFERRIN
– special Fe carrier in the blood to the
tissues and throughout the body
FERRITIN
– special Fe CHON storage in the liver , bone
marrow and other organs
DEFICIENCY
IDA – IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
Characteristics :
1. RBC pale and small
2. Cannot carry enough O2 from the lungs
to the tissues
3. energy metabolism in the cell falters
TOXICITY
HEMOCHROMATOSIS – iron overload
1. genetic disorder
2. repeated blood transfusion
3. massive doses of supplementary iron
4. other rare metabolic disorder
FOOD SOURCES
1.MFP – meat fish and poultry
2. dark green leafy vegetabe
2. SELENIUM
- part of a group of antioxidants enzymes
GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASES
- prevent free radicals formation by blocking
the damaging chain before it begins
- play a role in converting thyroid hormone
to its active form
3.IODINE
1. GOITER ( A )
– iodine in the blood is low , cells of the
thyroid gland enlarge in an attempt to trap as
many particles of iodine as possible due to
iodine deficiency
GOITER (B )
– caused by GOITROGEN – anti thyroid
substance that enlarges the thyroid gland and
causes toxic goiter
- occurs naturally in some foods like
cabbage , brussels , sprouts , cauliflower ,
broccoli.
2. CRETINISM
– severe thyroid hormone secretion during pregnancy cause
extreme and irreversible mental and physical retardation.
FOOD SOURCES
- iodine containing sea mist
- iodized salt and seaweeds
4. FLUORINE
- hydroxyapatite forms from Ca
and P will be mineralized to
FLUORAPATITE
- make teeth more
resistant to decay
SOURCES :
1. Fluoridation of water as
recommended- 1ppm a
public health measure
2. fluoride toothpaste
3. oral rinses