Deck 17: Minerals

Question 1

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) Deficiencies of minerals are more common than excess intakes.
B) Whole milk and dairy products are the richest food sources of calcium.
C) Rich sources of magnesium are legumes, cereals and green leafy vegetables.
D) About 85% of phosphorus in an adult human is in bone.
E) Sodium ion (Na+) is mainly located in intracellular fluids, while potassium (K+) is the predominant cation in extracellular fluids.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Which of the following statements about sodium and chloride is FALSE?

A) They control water movements within and between tissues.
B) They are involved in the electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves.
C) Sodium is largely consumed as sodium chloride (NaCl) or 'salt'.
D) It is strongly recommended that sodium intake be reduced to less than 2 g/day (approximately equivalent to 5 g/day of salt).
E) To maintain the volume of body fluids, sodium excretion in the urine is passively accompanied by chloride.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Which of the following statements about fluoride is FALSE?

A) Over 98 per cent of body fluoride content is in bone and teeth.
B) Natural food sources of fluoride are seafood and tea.
C) A mottling of tooth enamel is the earliest sign of fluoride deficiency.
D) Fortifying water supply with fluoride to the level of 1 mg/L can help reduce the incidence of childhood dental caries.
E) Absorption of fluoride from drinking water is almost 100 per cent.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following statements about iodine is FALSE?

A) Iodine in organic forms in animal products is less bioavailable than iodine in the form of iodide salts.
B) Two iodine-containing hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), have a direct effect on brain development during early fetal life.
C) Pregnant and breastfeeding women in Australia and New Zealand do not need to take iodine supplements because they get enough iodine from their diet.
D) Iodine deficiency is the most common cause for goitre or a swelling in the neck resulting from an enlarged thyroid gland.
E) Goitrogens can reduce the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by inhibiting the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) Older people aged 70 and over are encouraged to increase their dietary calcium intake through food for bone health and fracture prevention.
B) Long-term magnesium deficiency may have adverse effects on brain function, nerve and muscle function, the digestive system and bone density.
C) Even though selenium is widely present in foods, its deficiency may result from poor diets or eating disorders.
D) Fluorosis or fluoride toxicity can develop if fluoride content of drinking water exceeds 1 mg/L.
E) Although chromium is involved in the amplification of insulin action, its role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes is uncertain.

Question 6

Which food contains most types of essential minerals?

A) beef and lamb
B) dark green leafy vegetables
C) dried fruits
D) nuts and seeds
E) milk

Question 7

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) Selenium deficiency can exacerbate the effects of iodine deficiency.
B) Excessive zinc consumption can interfere with the absorption of copper and cause copper-deficiency-induced anaemia.
C) Presence of oxalic acid or phytic acid makes inorganic calcium, iron and zinc salts more readily absorbed.
D) Excessive intake of protein or sodium in the form of sodium chloride increases urinary loss of calcium.
E) Deficiencies of iron and zinc often occur together and affect many young women, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Question 8

Food pairing could help increase the absorption of minerals. Which of the practices below is LEAST likely to work?

A) A squeeze of lemon juice to a spinach salad for iron absorption.
B) Take iron supplements with freshly squeezed orange juice for better iron absorption.
C) Eat vitamin D rich foods such as tuna, egg yolks for enhanced calcium absorption.
D) Eat whole grain cereals with milk for increased calcium and magnesium absorption.
E) Eat dairy products with live culture (probiotics) for improved calcium absorption.

Question 9

Which mineral is associated with the following symptom or conditions?

- $\bullet$ infant mortality, cretinism and goitre

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) zinc
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 10

Which mineral is associated with the following symptom or conditions?

- $\bullet$ fatigue, decreased work capacity and exercise capacity

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) zinc
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 11

Which mineral is associated with the following symptom or conditions?

- $\bullet$ growth retardation, delay in skeletal and sexual maturation

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) zinc
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 12

Which mineral is associated with the following symptom or conditions?

- $\bullet$ muscle spasms, loss of appetite and personality changes

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) zinc
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 13

Which mineral is associated with the following symptom or conditions?

- $\bullet$ heart condition caused by a damaged heart muscle or cardiomyopathy

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) zinc
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 14

Which mineral listed below is associated with the following statements?

- $\bullet$ It competes with calcium for the active transport carrier in intestinal absorption.

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) copper
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 15

Which mineral listed below is associated with the following statements?

- $\bullet$ Its intestinal absorption is enhanced by vitamin D, but can be suppressed by high levels of calcium in the gut lumen.

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) copper
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 16

Which mineral listed below is associated with the following statements?

- $\bullet$ Its absorption is an adaptive physiological response to diet; people on low intakes can absorb a larger proportion of this mineral compared to those on high intakes.

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) copper
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 17

Which mineral listed below is associated with the following statements?

- $\bullet$ It is the predominant cation in intracellular fluids and involved in the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) copper
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 18

Which mineral listed below is associated with the following statements?

- $\bullet$ It competes with zinc for proteins transporting it out of mucosal cells in intestinal absorption.

A) iodine
B) iron
C) calcium
D) magnesium
E) Phosphorus
F) copper
G) potassium
H) sodium

Question 19

Many foods can be a good source of a particular nutrient, and we can get many nutrients from one food. Identify one food that would be a good source of the following minerals? (answers are examples only there could be a range of other options)

Question 20

Outline the implications of excessive intakes of sodium, potassium and protein for bone health.

Question 21

Explain how the bioavailability of inorganic minerals can be affected by other food components or compounds in the diet.