7 - Mineral Balance

Front 1

What are the Big Ideas for Mineral Balance?

Back 1

Calcium is a game of 7 cofactors:
(1) systemic pH
(2) hormonal function
(3) hydration: water and electrolyes
(4)other minerals
(5) vitamins
(6) fatty acids
(7) digestion

Hint 1

Almost everyone gets enough calcium, they are missing the cofactors that allow the body to absorb and use it.

Front 2

List 4 roles of minerals in the body

Back 2

Act as cofactors for enzyme reactions;
Maintain pH balance in the body;
Facilitate the transfer of nutrients across cell membranes;
Maintain proper nerve conduction;
Contract and relax muscles;
Regulate tissue growth;
Provide structural and functional support.

Front 3

Describe the significance of bone remodeling in calcium homeostasis

Back 3

calcium is only made available for other tissues when bone is broken down during remodeling. Bone helps to buffer the pH level of the blood ~
Calcium is released from bone and deposited into blood when the blood pH level falls (becomes too acidic),
Calcium is deposited into bone from blood when the blood pH level rises (becomes too alkaline)
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one important substance in the exchange of calcium between the bone and the blood:
increases osteoclast activity in the bone, which frees up calcium; decreases loss of calcium in the urine; helps pull calcium from digestion into the blood.

Hint 3

Calcium is an alkaline substance

Front 4

List the 7 cofactors required for proper absorption and use of calcium within the body:

Back 4

System pH
Hormonal Function
Hydration (water & electrolytes)
Other Minerals
Fatty Acids
Digestion

Front 5

Explain systemic pH as a calcium cofactor

Back 5

bone is a major buffer of calcium and calcium is a major buffer of blood pH; when blood becomes too acidic, it pulls calcium from the tissues; when blood becomes too alkaline, calcium separates out of solutions. If the excess calcium is deposited in inappropriate tissues, it can cause problems (cataracts, bone spurs, etc)

Front 6

Explain hormonal function as a calcium cofactor

Back 6

Parathyroid Hormone/PTH-primary hormone regulating blood calcium levels;
Thyroid hormone (calcitonin) inhibits osteoclastic activity, decreases blood calcium levels;
Adrenal hormones - mineralocorticoids control sodium and potassium homeostasis, which have a relationship with calcium;
Sex Hormones - estrogen inhibits osteoblastic activity, progesterone promotes osteoblastic activity, testosterone is a precursor to estrogen and progesterone

Front 7

Explain hydration as a calcium cofactor

Back 7

(water and electrolytes)- good hydration ensures blood is fluid enough to efficiently transport calcium throughout the body to other tissues; balanced electrolytes (electrically charged ions of calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate) ensure appropriate transfer of calcium in and out of cells.

Front 8

Explain other minerals as a calcium cofactor

Back 8

calcium must be in balance with the other macrominerals. Potassium and the trace elements of manganese, boron, copper, and zinc are also important for proper use of calcium.

Front 9

Explain vitamins as a calcium cofactor

Back 9

Vit D works with parathyroid hormone (PTH) to increase the level of calcium in the blood serum: increases absorption through the GI tract, pulls calcium from the bones/tissues, decreases loss in the urine/feces.

Front 10

Explain fatty acids as a calcium cofactor.

Back 10

Fatty acids are necessary for the transport of calcium across the cell membrane into the cell; fatty acids also help increase the calcium levels in tissues.

Front 11

Explain digestion as a calcium cofactor.

Back 11

body cannot synthesize minerals, we must ingest them. Calcium is only absorbed in an acid environment and requires HCl for uptake.

Front 12

Describe and perform the functional evaluation for mineral deficiencies:

Back 12

Lowenburgs sign/Tissue Mineral Test – muscle cramping test, LNT various forms of calcium and its cofactors to determine the specific nutrients needed.

Sit at table edge, ask if certain leg gets cramping, pick that one. BP cuff around largest portion of the clients calf muscle, instruct client to let you know of cramp onset, inflate gradually, deflate immediately, wait 30 seconds and repeat. LNT with cofactors for better results.

Hint 12

**CONTRAINDICATIONS: phlebitis, edema, thromoembolytic disease, spider veins, varicosities, etc)**