Bsc.

Physiotherapy

HSM221-0310/2023

DERRICK OUMA

Describe various micronutrients (mineral salts), their roles in human body and the
diseases due to deficiency of each.

Micronutrients are nutrients that are required by the body in lesser amounts for its growth and
development. This category of nutrients includes vitamins and minerals. With the exception
of vitamin D, micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be derived from the diet

 Vitamins are organic compounds that are required by the body in small quantities for
their use in metabolic processes like respiration, growth and immune function.
 Minerals are defined as inorganic, chemical elements that are needed by the body for
metabolic processes like growth, repair and bone health.

Mineral salts are responsible for structural functions involving the skeleton and soft tissues
and for regulatory functions including neuromuscular transmission, blood clotting, oxygen
transport, and enzymatic activity. There are two subcategories of mineral salts:

I. Macrominerals
II. Microminerals

Microminerals are also called trace minerals and are defined as minerals which the body
needs in relatively low quantities to function properly. They include:

Mineral What it does Where it's found

Iron Part of a molecule Organ meats, red

(hemoglobin) found in red
blood cells that carries
oxygen in the body; needed
for energy metabolism.
meats, fish, poultry,
shellfish (especially
clams), egg yolks,
legumes, dried
fruits, dark leafy
greens, iron-
 enriched breads and
cereals, and fortified
cereals.

Zinc Part of many enzymes; Meats, fish, poultry,

needed for making protein leavened whole
and genetic material; has a grains, vegetables.
function in taste perception,
wound healing, normal
foetal development,
production of sperm,
normal growth and sexual
maturation, immune system
health.

Chromium Works closely with insulin Liver, brewer's

to regulate blood sugar yeast, whole grains,
(glucose) levels. nuts, cheeses.

Copper Part of many enzymes; Legumes, nuts and

needed for iron seeds, whole grains,
metabolism. organ meats,
drinking water.

Fluoride Involved in formation of Drinking water

bones and teeth; helps (either fluoridated or
prevent tooth decay. naturally containing
fluoride), fish, and
most teas.

Iodine Found in thyroid hormone, Seafood, foods

which helps regulate grown in iodine-rich
growth, development, and soil, iodized salt,
metabolism. bread, dairy
 products.

Manganese Part of many enzymes. Widespread in

foods, especially
plant foods.

Molybdenu Part of some enzymes. Legumes, breads

m and grains, leafy
greens, leafy green
vegetables, milk,
liver.

Selenium Antioxidant Meats, seafood,

grains.

Macrominerals are minerals which the body needs in larger amounts than microminerals.
Macrominerals play important roles in bone health, metabolic reactions, fluid balance and
nerve transmissions in the body. They include:

Mineral What it does Where it's found

Sodium Needed for proper fluid Table salt, soy sauce;

balance, nerve large amounts in
transmission, and processed foods; small
muscle contraction. amounts in milk, breads,
vegetables, and
unprocessed meats.

Calcium Important for healthy Milk and milk products;

bones and teeth; helps canned fish with bones
muscles relax and (salmon, sardines);
contract; important for fortified tofu and
nerve functioning, blood fortified soy beverage;
clotting, blood pressure. greens (broccoli, mustard
 greens); legumes.

Chloride Needed for proper fluid Table salt, soy sauce;

balance, stomach acid. large amounts in
processed foods; small
amounts in milk, meats,
breads, and vegetables.

Magnesium Found in bones; needed Nuts and seeds, legumes,

for making protein, leafy green vegetables,
muscle contraction, seafood, chocolate,
nerve transmission, artichokes, "hard"
immune system health. drinking water.

Phosphorus Important for healthy Meat, fish, poultry, eggs,

bones and teeth; found milk.
in every cell; part of the
system that maintains
acid-base balance.

Potassium Needed for proper fluid Meats, milk, fresh fruits

balance, nerve and vegetables, whole
transmission, and grains, legumes.
muscle contraction.

Sulfur Found in protein Occurs in foods as part

molecules. of protein: meats,
poultry, fish, eggs, milk,
legumes, nuts.

Deficiency Disorders

Mineral Major Deficiency Disorders

 Iodine Goitre, hypothyroidism, iodine
deficiency disorders, increased risk of
stillbirth, birth defects infant mortality,
cognitive impairment
Calcium Decreased bone mineralization,
Rickets, Osteoporosis
Iron Iron deficiency anemia, reduced
learning and work capacity, maternal
and infant mortality, Low birth weight
Zinc Poor pregnancy outcome, impaired
growth (stunting), genetic disorders,
decreased resistance to infectious
diseases
Fluoride Increased dental decay, affects bone
health
Selenium Cardiomyopathy, increased cancer and
cardiovascular risk

References

www.cdc.gov/nutrition/micronutrient-malnutrition/micronutrients/index.html

visited at 10.17 am on 15th March 2024.

https://byjus.com/biology/micronutrients/

visited at 10.20 am on 15th March 2024.

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-micronutrients-definition-types-foods-
importance.html

visited at 12.46 pm on 16th March 2024.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218735/#:~:text=Mineral%20salts%20are
%20responsible%20for,oxygen%20transport%2C%20and%20enzymatic%20activity.

Visted at 1.24 pm on 16th March 2024.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Minerals-and-their-major-deficiency-
disorder_tbl2_315653298

visited at 1.32 pm on 17th March 2024.