Mineral Metabolism Disorders
May 26th, 2008 Posted by: admin
Definition
The number of patients who have bone and mineral disorders has increased in last period of time. This increase is a consequence of multiple factors including: the longer life span of our population, the increasing use of drugs detrimental to bone and kidney, and the availability of new technologies such as bone densitometry, which have made earlier diagnosis possible.
Mineral metabolism disorders are marked by abnormal levels of minerals — either too much or too little — in the blood.
Minerals are very important for the human body. They have various roles in metabolism and body functions and are essential for the proper function of cells, tissues, and organs. Minerals also play a role in the building of muscle and bone and for normal body growth.
Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes within the body that create and use energy, such as:
- Digesting food and nutrients
- Eliminating waste through urine and feces
- Breathing
- Circulating blood
- Regulating temperature
Causes of mineral disorders
Disorders of mineral metabolism are sometimes passed from parents to their children through genes. Other medical conditions, such as starvation, diarrhea, or alcoholism, can cause mineral metabolism problems.
Minerals that play a large role in the body include:
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is important for many reasons:
- It helps build strong bones and teeth.
- It is involved in the release of energy from fat, protein, and carbohydrates during metabolism.
- It is involved in the formation of genetic material, cell membranes, and many enzymes.
Sources: The best sources of phosphorus include fish, meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, peas, beans, and nuts.
Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements.
Disorders of phosphorus metabolism:
Potasium
Together with sodium, this mineral is active in the regulation of the body’s water levels. Potassium is also important in the transmission of nerve impulses, heart rhythm and muscle function.
Sources:
It is found in most foods except oils, fats and sugars, but can be lost if food is overcooked.
Potasium is found in most fruits and vegetables: bananas, strawberries, fresh orange juice, apricots, prunes, potatoes and green leafy vegetables.
Other sources include almonds, barley, brown rice, chick peas, corn, garlic, ginger, kidney beans and tofu.
Disorders of potassium metabolism:
Iron
Is neccessary for healthy blood and muscles. It plays an essential role in the production of the body’s white blood cells and in the activities of the immune system. How much iron the body can absorb also depends upon the presence of vitamin C and folic acid, which improve your body’s uptake of this mineral
Sources: Oily fish and egg yolks are quite rich in iron, but also contain substances that affect your body’s ability to absorb the iron.
Sources of iron include:
- apricots, blackcurrants, figs, prunes, raisins
- broccoli, curly kale, peas, savoy cabbage, spinach, watercress
- eggs
- wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread.
- beans (including baked beans), lentils
- lean red meat, poultry or game, liver, kidney
- liquorice
- mackerel, oysters, sardines, tuna
- nuts
Disorders of iron metabolism:
Cooper
Copper is found in a variety of enzymes, including the copper centers of cytochrome c oxidase and the enzyme superoxide dismutase (containing copper and zinc). In addition to its enzymatic roles, copper is used for biological electron transport. In large quantities, copper can be toxic.
Sources: Rich sources of copper include oysters, beef or lamb liver, Brazil nuts, blackstrap molasses, cocoa, and black pepper. Good sources include lobster, nuts and sunflower seeds, green olives, avocados and wheat bran.
Copper is lost in cooking some foods even under the best conditions. To retain copper: Cook foods in a minimal amount of water. .Cook for the shortest possible time.
Disorders of copper metabolism:
Calcium
This mineral is essential for strong bones and teeth. It also plays an active role in the body’s immune system.
Sources: High levels of calcium are found in dairy products such as milk and yoghurt. Other aliments containing calcium are:
- almonds, brazil nuts, hazelnuts
- broccoli, curly kale, okra, spinach, watercress
- dried apricot and figs
- mackerel, oysters, pilchards, salmon, sardines
- pulses, sesame seeds
- tofu
- calcium-enriched soya cheeses and milks.
Disorders of calcium metabolism:
Disorders of sodium metabolism:
Magnesium
Magnesium is involvedin the regulation of the potassium and sodium levels within the body, which are involved in the control of blood pressure.
It’s also used in the release of energy, for building strong bones, teeth and muscles, and regulating body temperature.
Magnesium is an adjuvant in the absorbtion and breakdown of various other vitamins and minerals – for example calcium and vitamin C.
Sources: Magnesium is found in lots of foods, such as:
apricots, bananas, figs, prunes, raisins
- brown rice, granary bread, wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta, nuts, pulses
- courgettes, green leafy vegetables, okra, parsnips, peas, sweet corn
- lean meat
Disorders of magnesium metabolism:
-
- Hypomagnesemia
- Hypermagnesemia
Selenium
Our body need small but regular amounts of this nutrient for a healthy liver. It’s also one of the body’s antioxidants.
Sources: Selenium is found in soil, thus the amount found in foods is related to the farming methods used; meaning that over-cultivation of the land results in a depletion of its selenium levels, and a reduction in the selenium content of the crop.
To ensure an adequate intake of selenium for the body, one should adopt a diet that includes a combination of meat, fish and nut. Good sources include:
- green vegetables
- mackerel, salmon, tuna
- cheese, eggs, milk
- Brazil nuts, cashew nuts
- chicken, lean meat, liver
- garlic, onion
- sunflower seeds
- wholewheat bread.
Disorders of selenium metabolism
-
- Selenium deficiency
- Selenium excess