How much mineral we take in not only depends on how much is in the food, but also on our ability to absorb it. 

--> Plants - depend on soil its grown it, etc.

*Oxalates (spinach) - binds calcium

*Phytales (grain) - binds calcium, zinc, iron, and others

*Mineral-Mineral interactions

inverses - calcium-iron ; zinc-copper

*Vitamin - Mineral

Vit C - iron; Vit D - calcium 

-Most abundant in body

-99% in bone; 1% in serum

-Absorb - 25% in adults ; 60% in infants 

-not in Spinach bc of oxalates 

1. Regulates transport of ions across cell membrane (important in nerve transmission)

2. Helps maintain blood pressure

3. Essential in muscle contraction

4. Essential for secretion in hormones. enzymes, and neurotransmitters

5. Essential for blood clotting (along w Vit. K)

decrease likelihood of: 

1. cancer

2. kidney stones

3. hypertension

4. high blood cholesterol 

- high in protein

- body absorbs 70% (usually in form of phosphorus) 

- 85% in bone

1. Buffer in blood

2. Regulate enzymes

3. Involved in Energy metabolism

4. component of DNA, RNA, and cell membranes

UL- 3-4 g - impaired Kidney function

Def. = bone loss (calcium and phosphorus)

- absorb 40-60%

- 60% in bone 

Mg functions:

1. Critical to operation of hundreds of enzymes

2. part of protein making machinery

3. helps muscles relax after contraction

def. = irregular heartbeat 

toxicity = UL = 350 mg of nonfood sources (laxatives, etc)

- absorb 100%

- 30-40% in bone

- Major POSITIVE ION found in extracellular fluid

- Na in NaCl = 40% by lbs.

- 80% Na is from processed foods; 10% Na in cooking; 10% naturally in foods 

1. fluid balance between compartments

2. nerve impulse conduction

3. absorption of glucose

1. Rare

2. excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea

3. leads to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, dizziness

- body adjusts by urinating more

- 10-15% adults = Na sensitive

- high intake = high blood pressure (hypertension)

- some cultures exceed the UL by 4x

- ion of chlorine

- major NEGATIVE ION for extracellular fluid

- NaCl, Cl = 60% by weight

1. producing stomach acid (HCl)

2. used during immune response of white blood cells

- Major POSITIVE INTRACELLULAR ion (95%)

- increasing intake = lower blood pressure

- unprocessed foods = K

1. fluid balance

2. nerve impulse transmission 

Def. = 

1. risk - people on diuretics to treat high blood pressure, alcoholics, eating disorders

2. leads to heart failure

Sen. = 

1. due to kidney failure

2. can stop heart

3. used in lethal injections

1. do NOT consume

2. instead supplied by proteins, amino acids methionine and cysteine

1. helps hold 3-D structure of proteins together

2. Pt. of vitamins Biotin and Thiamin (thio = sulfur group)