Nursing 105

Essentials of Nursing Study Guide

©2018 Achieve Page 16 of 160 Minerals Minerals are inorganic compounds that help regulate body processes and serve as structural components of the body. The daily requirements are amounts greater than 100 mg/day. Trace mi rals are less than 100mg/day. Functions of Minerals are unique to each individual mineral. • Classification and Sources: Minerals are classified as major minerals or trace minerals. They are found in water, natural foods, and supplements. • Digestions, Absorption and Storage: Minerals are influenced by three factors: the type of food (minerals from animal foods are more readily absorbed than those from plant foods), the needs of the body (a deficiency will result in more absorption) and the health of absorbing tissue. • Signs of Deficiency and Excess: Too much mineral intake can be toxic. Excessive amounts of minerals can result in hair loss and changes in the blood, muscles, bones, hormones, blood vessels, and nearly all tissues. Common Minerals Mineral Best Sources Functions Deficiencies Excesses Calcium milk, cheese, dark green leafy vegetables, and legumes bone and tooth formation; blood clotting; nerve transmission stunted growth; and bone loss depressed absorption of some other minerals; kidney damage Phosphorous milk, cheese, meat, poultry, and whole grains bone and tooth formation; acid- base balance weakness and demineralization of bone depressed absorption of some minerals Magnesium whole grains and green leafy vegetables maintains nerve and muscle functions neurologic disturbances neurologic disturbances Sulfur sulfur amino acids in dietary proteins component of cartilage, tendon, and proteins; acid- base balance protein deficiency increased sulfur amino acid intake; poor growth; liver damage Sodium salt, soy sauce, cured meats, pickles, canned soups, and processed cheese body water balance; nerve function muscle cramps; reduced appetite elevated blood pressure Potassium meats, milk, many fruits and vegetables and whole grains maintain body water balance; nerve function muscular weakness; paralysis muscular weakness; cardiac arrest