Deck 7: Minerals

Question 1

What role do minerals play in the body?

Answer 1

In diet, minerals are known as inorganic elements that are essential in human metabolism. Minerals are micro nutrient because it is require in very small amount in the body. About 4 percentages of the body weight is mineral that is mainly found in bones and teeth. The human body can get minerals from the plants food and the plants obtain it from the soil. It can also obtain from the animals that have eaten these plants. The functions of minerals are followings-
• Minerals are the part of structural materials of all cells of the body.
• In body fluid, osmotic pressure in contributed by minerals.
• It forms the parts of enzyme molecules.
• The vital roles of minerals are that- in neuron it works in impulse conduction. It also helps in blood coagulation, contraction of muscles fiber and maintains the pH of body fluid.

Question 2

What are the major minerals? What differentiates a major mineral from a trace mineral?

Answer 2

The mineral that are found in major amount in the body are called major elements. The examples of major elements are calcium and phosphorus. These both minerals are found about 75 percentages by weight of the mineral elements that are found in the body.
The mineral that are found in trace amount in the body are called trace elements. The examples of trace elements are iron, manganese, iodine, selenium, chromium, cobalt, copper, zinc and fluorine. These minerals are found about 0.005 percentages by weight of the mineral elements that are found in the body. Major elements are needed by the body greater than 100 milligrams per day whereas trace elements are required less than 100 milligrams per day.

Question 3

What are some of the common food sources for each of the major minerals?

Answer 3

The mineral that are found in major amount in the body are called major elements. These both minerals are found about 75 percentages by weight of the mineral elements that are found in the body. The examples of major elements are-
• Calcium- Dairy products that include milk, hard cheese and yoghurt are richest sources of calcium. Green leafy vegetables are also the good source of calcium.
• Phosphorus- Phosphorus is mainly found in animal products like meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. Legumes, nuts and cereals are also the source of phosphorus.
• Potassium- The richest sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables in which spinach, potatoes and banana are on the top. Potassium is also found in meat, milk. Tea and coffee.
• Sodium- Table salt, soy sauce, condiments, canned food, processed foods, fast food, smoked food and soups are the source of sodium.
• Sulfur- The richest sources of sulfur are some fruits, soy flour, certain breads and sausages. It is also found in juices, beers, wines, ciders and drinking water.
• Magnesium- Magnesium is mainly found in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, and sea foods. Magnesium is also found in hard water that ha high mineral content.
• Chloride- Salt that is sodium chloride is the richest source of chloride. It is also found in fruits and vegetables.

Question 4

Discuss the various conditions that result as a consequence of deficiencies in the major minerals.

Question 5

Should athletes take supplements containing large doses of the major minerals? Defend your answer based on the benefits versus the risks.

Question 6

What role does the trace mineral iodine play in the body? What condition results from iodine deficiency? Why is this condition very rare in the United States?

Question 7

Besides iodine, list four other trace minerals, discuss their roles in the body, and give specific foods that serve as good sources for each.