Calcium Chief functions in the body –Mineralization of bones and teeth –Involved in muscle...

Calcium• Chief functions in the body

– Mineralization of bones and teeth– Involved in muscle contraction and

relaxation,– Nerve functioning, – Blood clotting– Blood pressure– Immune defenses– As a secondary messenger inside

cells

Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson LearningCopyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Calcium Balance

• Bones provide support for the body

• Bones also act as Calcium banks

• Calcium is added to or removed from bone to maintain blood Calcium levels which is very important


Calcium


Calcium• 1997 adequate intake (AI)

– Adults 19-50 years: 1000 mg/day– Adults 51 and older:

1200 mg/day– Women at risk for osteoporosis, 1500 mg/day

• Upper level for adults:2500 mg/day

• Calcium rigor vs. calcium tetany– If blood calcium levels are not in balance, muscle

contraction is affected. – If too high, muscles contract but don't relax, a condition of

calcium rigor. – If too low, muscles go into tetany, where muscle contraction

is constant and uncontrolled.


Calcium• Deficiency symptoms

– Stunted growth in children– Bone loss (osteoporosis) in

adults


Calcium: In Summary

• Toxicity symptoms– Constipation– Increased risk of urinary stone

formation and kidney dysfunction

– Interference with absorption of other minerals


Calcium• Significant

sources– Milk and milk

products– Small fish (with

bones)– Tofu (bean curd),

greens (broccoli, chard), legumes

– Calcium citrate (e.g. in fortified orange juice) is well absorbed



Osteoporosis And Calcium• Bone development and disintegration and Osteoporosis

– Bone density• When bone forms, calcium phosphate crystallizes on a collagen

matrix within the bone tissue• As the crystals become denser, bone strengthens and becomes

rigid• During growth, long bones degrade and are rebuilt as they

lengthen• The mineral fluorine is needed to harden calcium deposits.

– Age• Till the age of 30 removal and addition of calcium keep pace. After

30 removal continues while addition is much more difficult • It is critical to maximize bone strength when young by maintaining

appropriate calcium intakes• See next slide

– Hormones• See next two slides


Osteoporosis And Calcium



Osteoporosis And Calcium• Bone density increased by

– Physical activity and maintaining body weight

• Being underweight reduces bone density– Dietary calcium is the key to

prevention of osteoporosis– Other nutrients play a supporting role

• Smoking – Smokers’ bones are less dense than

non-smokers’ bones– Can be reversed by quitting smoking– Alcohol in moderate amounts

• Alcohol– Moderate alcohol intake protects bones– But alcohol abuse can lead to

osteoporosisCopyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Osteoporosis And Calcium


Calcium supplements• Various supplements available but best to

get Calcium from natural sources• If using supplements use ones which are

bonded to organic acids – Calcium -carbonate, -citrate, -lactate or –malate– Select low dose supplements (500mg or less) and

take several times a day

– Antacids (ok if it is organic acid bonded)– If supplement is necessary take it

regularly– Take supplement between meals – Avoid taking with iron rich meals (calcium

inhibits iron absorption)


Trace Minerals

Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium,

Molybdenum

The Trace Minerals


Iron• Ferrous (Fe++)

– Reduced (lost two electrons)• Ferric (Fe+++)

– Oxidized (lost three electrons)• Chief functions in the body

– Functions as cofactor in oxidation-reduction reactions in metabolism

– Forms part of the electron carriers in the ETC (electron transport chain)

– Part of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood

– Part of the protein myoglobin in muscles, which makes oxygen available for muscle contraction


Iron Absorption


Animal foods contain Heme + Non-heme iron + MFPPlant foods contain Non-heme iron (some contain Vitamin C and citric acid)

Iron• Heme ion is readily absorbed• Factors enhance nonheme iron absorption

– MFP factor– Vitamin C– Citric acid from

foods

• Factors inhibit nonheme iron absorption– Phytates, Fibers, Oxalates– Calcium, Phosphorus, EDTA, Tannic acid


Iron• High risk for iron deficiency

– Women in their reproductive years

– pregnant women– Infants and young children– Teenagers


Iron• Stages of iron deficiency

– Iron stores diminish– Transport iron decreases– Hemoglobin production declines


Iron• Significant sources

– Red meats, fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs

– Legumes, dried fruits– Enriched foods

• Contamination iron– Leaching from iron pans

especially with acid food– This is an acceptable way to

get your iron but do not leave acid food in iron pans for long periods after cooking

• Iron supplements– Children can get poisoned by

iron supplements Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning


Iron: In Summary• Deficiency symptoms

– Anemia: weakness, fatigue, headaches

– Impaired work performance and cognitive function


Impaired immunity

– Pale skin, nailbeds, mucous membranes, and palm creases

– Concave nails– Inability to regulate body temperature– Pica

Iron: In Summary

• Toxicity symptoms– Rare, but see problem for children with

supplements– GI distress– Iron overload: infections, fatigue, joint pain,

skin pigmentation, organ damage


Iron • Hemochromatosis

– A common genetic problem disorder in which iron is readily absorbed and stored,

– Toxicity can lead to weakness, headache, liver disease, diabetes, arthritis, increased bacterial infections and heart failure.

– Men are at greater risk because they do not lose iron regularly need less iron and consume more calories, including enriched products,


Zinc• Roles


ZincChief functions in the body

– Part of many enzymes• Metalloenzymes

– Important for many metabolic reactions– Important for storage, synthesis and

release of insulin (not part of insulin’s action)

– Involved in making genetic material (DNA and RNA synthesis )and proteins, immune reactions, transport of vitamin A, taste perception, wound healing, the making of sperm, and the normal development of the fetus


Zinc• Absorption

– Metallothionein is needed to bind to zinc in the intestinal cells

– Zinc and copper both bind metallothionein• Enteropancreatic circulation


Zinc• Zinc supplementation

– Not required in developed countries– In developing countries, it protects

against childhood illnesses– Effectiveness of zinc lozenges is not clear

• Only zinc gluconate has been shown to be effective against colds.

• Metallic aftertaste in the mouth. • Flavoring agents added to the gluconate

interfere with zinc absorption


Zinc• Significant

sources– Protein-

containing foods

– Red meats, shellfish

– Whole grains


Zinc• Deficiency

symptoms– Growth

retardation, delayed sexual maturation, impaired immune function, hair loss, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite


Zinc: In Summary

• Toxicity symptoms– Loss of appetite, impaired immunity,

low HDL, copper and iron deficiencies


Iodine• Iodine vs. iodide• Chief functions in the body

– A component of two thyroid hormones that help to regulate growth, development, and metabolic rate

• Significant sources– Iodized salt, seafood, bread, dairy products,

plants grown in iodine-rich soil (Puget Sound soil is not) and animals fed those plants

• Deficiency disease– Simple goiter

• Cells of the thyroid glands enlarge in an effort to try to get more iodine

– Cretinism• Caused by severe iodine deficiency in pregnancy• Mental and physical retardation in infants


• Deficiency symptoms– Serious problems in learning in children

with deficiency– Can be treated and performance

improves

• Toxicity symptoms– Underactive thyroid gland, elevated

TSH, goiter


Iodine

Selenium• Chief functions in the body

– Defends against oxidation • i.e. protects against free radicals• works in tandem with vitamin E.

– Regulates thyroid hormone

• Significant sources– Seafood, meat– Whole grains, vegetables (depending

on soil content)


Selenium• Deficiency symptoms

– Predisposition to heart disease characterized by cardiac tissue becoming fibrous (Keshan disease)

• Toxicity symptoms– Only from supplements (unheard of

otherwise)– Loss and brittleness of hair and nails– Skin rash, fatigue, irritability, and

nervous system disorders– Garlic breath odor


Copper• Chief functions in the body

– Necessary for absorption and use of iron in the formation of hemoglobin

– Part of several enzymes• Absorption

– Zinc and copper both bind metallothionein• Significant sources

– Seafood– Nuts, whole grains, seeds, legumes

• Deficiency symptoms– Anemia, bone abnormalities

• Toxicity symptoms– Liver damage


Manganese• Chief functions in the body

– Cofactor for several enzymes

• Significant sources– Nuts, whole grains, leafy vegetables, tea– Iron and Calcium may inhibit Manganese

absorption– Phytates will bind up manganese

• Deficiency symptoms– Rare

• Toxicity symptoms– Nervous system disorders


Fluoride• Chief functions in the body

– Involved in the formation of bones and teeth– Helps to make teeth resistant to decay

• Significant sources– Drinking water (if fluoride containing or

fluoridated)– Tea, seafood

• Deficiency symptoms– Susceptibility to tooth decay

• Toxicity symptoms– Fluorosis (pitting and discoloration of teeth)


U.S. Population With Fluoridated Water


Chromium• Chief functions in the body

– Enhances insulin action• Significant sources

– Meats (especially liver)– Whole grains, brewer’s yeast

• Deficiency symptoms– Diabetes-like condition

• Toxicity symptoms– None reported

• Chromium picolinate supplements– Benefits are not clear from long term

studiesCopyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning


Molybdenum• Chief functions in the body


Cofactor for several enzymes

• Significant sources– Legumes, cereals– Organ meats

• Deficiency symptoms– Unknown

• Toxicity symptoms– None reported– Reproductive effects in animals

Other Trace Minerals• Nickel

– functions as a cofactor.– Liver damage can result with nickel deficiency.

• Silicon– may be needed for bone calcification

• Vanadium– Needed for growth, bone development and

reproduction


Other Trace Minerals• Boron

– Boron is needed to maintain bone, and possibly brain, tissue

• Cobalt– Component of Vitamin B12. However, we can not

manufacture Vitamin B12 from cobalt, so we have no requirement for cobalt. We get it along with Vitamin B12 from foods

• Arsenic– promotes growth in chickens (added to chicken feed),

but does not do so in humans– Used to treat leukemia– Notorious poison, humans can habituate to it– http://phys4.harvard.edu/%7Ewilson/arsenic/countries/ar

senic_project_countries.html#USA


http://phys4.harvard.edu/%7Ewilson/arsenic/countries/arsenic_project_countries.html#USA

http://phys4.harvard.edu/%7Ewilson/arsenic/countries/arsenic_project_countries.html#USA

Contaminant Minerals• Heavy metals

– Lead• Similar to iron, calcium and zinc

• Can displace them in metabolism

• Not removed from the body

• Accumulates in bone marrow and brain

•Sources– Old paint– Old plumbing– Leaded gasoline (since the 70s the cars

have shifted to unleaded gasoline


Contaminant Minerals• Mercury

– Methyl mercury is toxic– Mercury blocks cofactor sites and interferes with

metabolism– The “ Mad Hatter” comes from mental problems

caused by mercury from felt used in making hats– Mercury gets concentrated in fish – So children and pregnant women should restrict fish

consumption



Phytochemicals And Functional Foods





• Defending against cancer• Defending against heart disease


• Functional foods...– from nature

– from manufacturers



Functional foods– Inconclusive research– Food labels are not required so amounts

are not clear– Safety – they can act as drugs but they do

not go through FDA– Overall healthfulness of products

• As in everything else, best if you get it in the natural form

• Adding phytochemicals does not convert an otherwise unhealthy product into a healthy one


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Calcium Chief functions in the body –Mineralization of bones and teeth –Involved in muscle...

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