Today is our topic of discussion Minerals of Human body
Minerals of Human body
Definition:
These are inorganic substances required by the body in very small amount for its growth and maintenance of functional activity.
Function of minerals:
1. Essential constituent of all cells.
2. Maintenance of osmotic pressure of body fluids.
3. Needed in the formation of bones and teeth and for coagulation of blood.
4. They regulate the excitability of muscles.
5. Play an important role in water metabolism and regulation of blood volume.
6. Essential in the transport of respiratory gases.
Classification of minerals:
Principal elements –
They occur in the body in greater concentration. These are – sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulpher and chlorine.
Trace elements –
They are present in much smaller amount. These are iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, iodine, flourine and iodine.
Sodium
Source:
Table salt, most cereals, fruits, vegetables etc.
Normal blood level:
Average 145 mEq/L
Role of sodium:
1. It is the chief extracellular cation.
2. It is responsible for maintaining the adulo internal environment of the body.
Potassium
Source:
Banana, cereals, orange, chicken, beef, liver, vegetables etc.
Normal blood level:
Average 4-5 mEq/L
Role of potassium:
1. It is the chief intracellular cation.
2. It influences the activity of cardiac muscle.
3. It is responsible for maintaining the internal environment of the body.
Calcium
Source:
Milk and milk products, eggs, green vegetables, nuts, meats, potato etc.
Normal blood level:
Average 8.5-10 mg/dL
Role of calcium:
1. Calcium helps in formation of bones and teeth.
2. It helps in blood coagulation.
3. It helps in muscular contraction.
Factors influencing absorption of calcium from intestine:
1. Reduced calcium in the blood causes enhanced absorption of calcium from
2. Vitamin- D enhances calcium absorption.
Hypocalcemia:
Decreased level of calcium in the blood than normal.
Effect of hypocalcemia –
Tetany (Hypocalcaemic tetany)
Iron
Tolal amount in the body –
About 4 gm
Source:
Vegetable sources –
Raw banana, some green vegetables, wheat, nuts, pulses etc..
Animal sources –
Meat, fish, liver, kidney, egg etc.
Function of iron:
1. Essential for formation of hemoglobin and some enzymes.
2. Iron deficiency leads to anaemia.
Effects of deficiency:
Iron deficiency anemia or microcytic hypochromic anemia.
Iodine
Sources:
Sea fish, iodized salt, cod liver oil, sea water etc.
Function of iodine:
lodine is essential for synthesis of thyroid hormones (thyroxine).
Deficiency of iodine:
In children – Cretinism & in adult- Goitre and hypothyroidism.
Zinc
Sources:
Liver, meat, seafoods, milk, animal tissues, legumes etc.
Function of zine:
1. Zinc is an essential constituent of many enzymes.
2. It helps in wound healing,
3. It prevents diarrhoea and pneumonia in children.
Effects of deficiency of zinc:
1. Dwarfism
2. Hypogonadism
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