INTRODUCTION
Minerals are inorganic substances required by the body in small amounts to carry out a
variety of functions and are essential for normal growth and maintenance of the body
Minerals are categorized into:
Macro mineral elements
Micro or trace mineral elements
MACRO MINERAL ELEMENTS ELEMENTS
These minerals are termed macro elements because of their presence in larger levels in
the body with a daily requirement of >100 mg/day. They include;
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Sulphur
,TRACE ELEMENTS
Trace elements are minerals present at low levels in the body and are required
in smaller amounts in the diet with <100 mg/day daily requirements. They
include;
• Chromium
• Cobalt
• Copper
• Fluoride
• Iodine
• Iron
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Selenium
• Zinc
, CALCIUM
• Total body calcium is 1- 1.5 kg
• 99% of the body’s calcium is found in the bone and teeth while 1% is
found in the extracellular fluid.
SOURCES
• Milk and milk products
• Egg, fish, vegetables- moderate source of calcium
• Cereals (wheat, rice)- poor source of calcium
• Pulses
DAILY REQUIREMENT
Adults 500 mg/day
Children 1200 mg/day
Pregnancy and lactation 1500 mg/day
>50 yrs 1500 mg/day +20µg Vit.D (to
prevent osteoporosis)
, Calcium Cont’d
Absorption
• Calcium is absorbed in the first and second part of the duodenum
• Absorption of calcium occurs against concentration gradient and it requires energy and carrier
protein
Factors promoting calcium absorption include;
• Vitamin D (calcitriol)
Synthesis of carrier protein (calbindin) facilitates absorption of calcium
• Parathyroid hormone
PTH increases calcium transport from intestinal cells
• Acidity
Acidic environment favours calcium absorption
• Amino acids
Lysine and Arginine promotes the absorption of calcium
Minerals are inorganic substances required by the body in small amounts to carry out a
variety of functions and are essential for normal growth and maintenance of the body
Minerals are categorized into:
Macro mineral elements
Micro or trace mineral elements
MACRO MINERAL ELEMENTS ELEMENTS
These minerals are termed macro elements because of their presence in larger levels in
the body with a daily requirement of >100 mg/day. They include;
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Sulphur
,TRACE ELEMENTS
Trace elements are minerals present at low levels in the body and are required
in smaller amounts in the diet with <100 mg/day daily requirements. They
include;
• Chromium
• Cobalt
• Copper
• Fluoride
• Iodine
• Iron
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Selenium
• Zinc
, CALCIUM
• Total body calcium is 1- 1.5 kg
• 99% of the body’s calcium is found in the bone and teeth while 1% is
found in the extracellular fluid.
SOURCES
• Milk and milk products
• Egg, fish, vegetables- moderate source of calcium
• Cereals (wheat, rice)- poor source of calcium
• Pulses
DAILY REQUIREMENT
Adults 500 mg/day
Children 1200 mg/day
Pregnancy and lactation 1500 mg/day
>50 yrs 1500 mg/day +20µg Vit.D (to
prevent osteoporosis)
, Calcium Cont’d
Absorption
• Calcium is absorbed in the first and second part of the duodenum
• Absorption of calcium occurs against concentration gradient and it requires energy and carrier
protein
Factors promoting calcium absorption include;
• Vitamin D (calcitriol)
Synthesis of carrier protein (calbindin) facilitates absorption of calcium
• Parathyroid hormone
PTH increases calcium transport from intestinal cells
• Acidity
Acidic environment favours calcium absorption
• Amino acids
Lysine and Arginine promotes the absorption of calcium
