2. Minerals
Inorganic substances, not derived from living matters
More than 50 chemical elements are found in the human body, which are required for growth,
repair and regulation of vital body functions
Nearly all minerals are absorbed best in their free form
3. Mineral absorption
Bioavailability: the degree at which mineral is absorbed
High bioavailability: > 40% of minerals absorbed
Sodium, fluoride, chloride, iodide, potassium
Low bioavailability: < 10% of minerals absorbed
Chromium, iron , zinc , manganese
Allover the minerals have bioavailability 30-40%
Copper, molybdenum, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, Selinium, phosphorus
4. Mineral absorption
Factors that will affect the bioavailability of a mineral:
Current need: this is a major determinant of bioavailability. If the mineral is not present in
sufficient amounts, the mineral absorption will greatly increase.
Mineral-to-mineral interaction: minerals of similar molecular weight and charge will compete for
absorption. When competing minerals are present at the same time, they will not all be
absorbed and what gets absorbed and how much cannot be predicted.
For example: magnesium, calcium, iron, and copper all have a 2+ valence so they would all
compete for absorption if they were present. Two frequently consumed minerals in the pill form
are iron and calcium; they both have a 2+ valence so consuming these together will decrease
absorption of one or both (other minerals with 2+ valence are magnesium and copper).
5. Mineral absorption
Vitamin-to-mineral interaction: vitamin C increases the absorption of non-heme iron (iron from
plant foods) and calcitriol (active vitamin D or 1, 25 (OH) D3) is required for calcium absorption.
Fiber-to-mineral interaction: components of fiber, like Phytic acid (found in grain fiber) can bind
minerals and limit absorption. Oxalic acid, found mainly in spinach, strawberries, cocoa, and
soy, will bind calcium and decrease absorption. High fiber diets (> 35 grams) will decrease the
absorption of at least iron, calcium, and magnesium.
6. Minerals that body needs are 16 in all
Iron, Iodine, Fluorine, Zinc,
Copper Cobalt, Chromium,
Manganese, Molybdenum,
Selenium, Nickel, Tin, Silicon and
Vanadium
calcium, phosphorus, sodium,
potassium, magnesium
7. Categories of minerals
Minerals can be categorized into 3 groups:
Major minerals
Trace minerals
Trace contaminants without known function: Lead, mercury, barium, boron, and aluminum
8. Major Mineral
Also known as Macro-minerals
They are vital to health
Required in the diet by more than 100mg per day
calcium, phosphorus,
sodium, potassium,
magnesium
9. Trace minerals
Also Known as Micro-minerals
They are Vital to health
Required less than 20mg per day
Iron, Iodine, Fluorine,
Zinc, Copper Cobalt,
Chromium,
Manganese,
Molybdenum,
Selenium, Nickel, Tin,
Silicon and Vanadium
11. Calcium
Macro-mineral
Constitutes 1.5-2% of the body weight of an adult human.
An average adult body contains about 1200 gm of calcium of which >98% present in bones.
Calcium in blood: 10 mg/dl (60%-ionized, 40%-protein bound)
The developing fetus requires about 30 g of calcium.
Severe Sweating– loss of 42-121mg/day
12. Calcium - Absorption
20 -30% normally absorbed
Retention:10 -20% but depends on diet and age
Enhance absorption:
Vitamin-D
High protein in diet
Reduce absorption
Oxalates
Phytates
Fatty acids
Fibers in diet
Phosphates
13. Calcium-Sources
Milk and milk Products
Cow milk- 1200mg
Human Milk- 300mg
Egg and Fish
Cheapest dietary sources:
Green leafy vegetables (presence of oxalates)
Millets
Cereals (bioavailability reduces by Phytates)
15. Calcium- Function
Bone formation
Teeth Formation: formation of dentin and enamel
Physiological Process:
Essential for the clotting of blood as it is required for prothrombin activation
Regulates the permeability of the capillary walls and ion transport across the cell membranes
Contraction of the heart and skeletal muscle
Regulates the excitability of the nerve fibers
Acts as an activator for enzymes such as rennin and pancreatic lipase
16. Calcium- Disorder
Calcium Deficiency
Effects in Adults:
Osteoporosis
Fractures of brittle bone by miner accidents
Effects in Children:
Decreased rate of growth
Loss of Calcium from Bone leading to development of Osteoporosis
Hyperplasia of parathyroid gland
Hyper-irritability and tetany leading to death
18. Phosphorus
Phosphorus makes up about 0.65–1.1% of the adult body (~600 g)
85%-Bones and teeth, 15%- soft tissue
Exist in 2 forms:
As Inorganic salts :
Calcium Phosphates in Bones and teeth
Phosphates of Na and K in soft tissues
In combination with organic compounds
Phospholipids-lecithin, Cephalin
Nucleoproteins and Nucleic Acids
Creatine Phosphates-ATP, ADP, NADP
Hexose Phosphates etc
19. Phosphorus-Sources
Important sources: Milk, Egg, Meat, Fish
Fair sources: Vegetables
Cereals, Pulses, nuts and Oil seed contains Phytic acid or Phytin
Phytic acid is the compound of inositol and phosphoric acid
Phytin is the salt of Phytic acid
20. Phosphorus-Requirement
Phosphorus requirements have not been specifically considered by FAO/WHO Committees,
But
Other groups of experts have suggested that phosphorus intake should be at least equal to
calcium intakes in most age groups, except in infancy where the ratio suggested is 1:1.5 (P:Ca)
21. Phosphorus- Function
Bone and Teeth Formation: formation of dentin and enamel
Required for formation of Phospholipids—integral part of cell structure, act as intermediate in
fat transport and metabolism
Required for carbohydrate metabolism– Glycogen phosphorylation by inorganic phosphorus
Required for formation of nucleic acid and nucleoprotein– Integral part of DNA
