Trace Elements

Front 1

Calcium function

Back 1

i. Needed by all cells
iii. Important for the functional integrity of nervous and muscle tissue
iv. Required for blood clotting

Front 2

Calcium absorption

Back 2

i. Requires vitamin D

Front 3

What increases calcium absorption?

Back 3

1. Amino acids and lactose increase absorption

Front 4

Signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency

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i. Parasthesias
ii. Increased neuromuscular excitability
iii. Muscle cramps
iv. Tetany
v. Convulsions
vi. Osteomalacia

Front 5

Rickets

Back 5

i. Characterized by disturbances of normal ossification of bone
ii. Bending and distortion of the bones
v. Muscle pain

Front 6

Calcium toxicity in patients with...

Back 6

1. Hyperactive parathyroid
2. Excessive Vitamin D intake
3. Breast and lung cancer
4. Hypercalcemia

Front 7

Hypercalcemia symptoms

Back 7

a. Dehydration
b. Lethargy
c. Nausea
d. Vomiting
e. Possible death

Front 8

Phosphorous function

Back 8

i. Component of nucleic acids and cell membranes
ii. Essential in energy-producing reactions

Front 9

Phosphorous absorption

Back 9

i. Vitamin D stimulates absorption by a mechanism separate from Ca transport→ reduced calcium and phosphorus

Front 10

Sings and symptoms of phosphorous deficiency

Back 10

ii. Extensive use of aluminum containing antacids by adults
iii. Low birth weight premature infants w/o supplementation
iv. Decreased ATP synthesis→weakness, malaise, anorexia

Front 11

Magnesium function

Back 11

ii. Impacts virtually all aspects of metabolism

Front 12

What increases urinary excretion of magnesium?

Back 12

a. Thiazide diuretics
b. Alcohol

Front 13

Signs/symptoms of magnesium deficiency

Back 13

2. Neuromuscular excitability, muscle spasms, paresthesias
3. Prolonged→ tetany, seizures, coma

Front 14

Essential trace elements

Back 14

a. Presence in healthy tissues
b. Appears in fetus and newborn
c. Body maintains homeostatic control over rate of excretion and uptake

Front 15

Iron function

Back 15

i. Transport of oxygen as component of Hb
ii. Important in myoglobin, mitochondrial, cytochromes, peroxidase, catalase reactions

Front 16

Vitamin C and iron

Back 16

1. In gut with iron converts any ferric iron to ferrous and improves absorption

Front 17

Sings/symptoms of iron deficiency

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i. Fatigue, pallor, tachycardia, exertional dyspnea, glossitis, hypochromic and microcytic anemia
ii. Pica

Front 18

Iron overdose in children

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i. May be fatal
ii. 12-24 mos.
iii. Dehydration, low blood sugar, pallor, vomiting blood, balck stools, fast weak pulse, coma, death

Front 19

Treatment of iron overdose

Back 19

1. Oral ferrous sulfate
2. 6 month treatment replenishes bone marrow stores

Front 20

Drugs that impair iron absorption

Back 20

1. Allopurinol for gout
2. Tetracycline
3. High amounts of salicylates

Front 21

Iodine function

Back 21

i. Essential for production of thyroid hormones
ii. Required for normal thyroid function
iii. Nerve, bone formation
iv. Condition of skin, hair, nails, and teeth
v. Speech and mental state

Front 22

Iodine in conversion

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1. Carotene→ vitamin A
2. Ribonucleic acids→ protein
3. Cholesterol synthesis
4. Carb absorption

Front 23

Signs/symptoms of iodine deficiency

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i. Adults→ goiter
ii. Children→ cretinism

Front 24

Cretinism

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a. Dwarfism
b. Retardation
c. Pug and expressionless face
d. Enlarged tongue
e. Most common cause of preventable mental defect

Front 25

High levels of iodine intake

Back 25

1. May induce goiter due to block of uptake by thyroid

Front 26

Zinc function

Back 26

ii. CO2 transport, digestion, nucleotide synthesis, collagen synthesis, immune function, smell, and taste
iii. Sexual maturation and fertility

Front 27

Signs/symptoms of zinc deficiency

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ii. Retarded growth, retarded sexual development, fatigue, increased susceptibility

Front 28

Zinc deficiency in children

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1. Poor appetite
2. Slow development
3. Learning disabilities
4. Acne and decreased sexual development
5. Dwarfism

Front 29

Zinc and copper absorption

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1. Taking regular zinc supplements without copper can cause copper deficiency
2. Supplemental copper and vitamin A are prescribed to balance effect of extra zinc

Front 30

Copper function

Back 30

i. Oxidation and energy production reactions
ii. Oxidizes vitamin C
iii. Formation of collagen
iv. NT generation

Front 31

Signs/symptoms of copper deficiency

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i. Malnourished children as anemia and connective tissue damage
ii. Bleeding/lung damage

Front 32

Wilson's disease

Back 32

i. Genetic disorder that affects metabolism
ii. Low serum and hair copper
iii. High liver and brain copper
iv. Can be serious or fatal unless treated by chelating agents

Front 33

Menke's disease

Back 33

i. X-linked recessive
ii. Copper malabsorption in infants
iii. Often fatal
iv. Decreased intestinal absorption causes copper to accumulate in the intestinal lining and kidneys
v. No treatment

Front 34

Chromium function

Back 34

i. Required for maintenance of normal blood glucose as part of glucose tolerance factor (GTF)

Front 35

Signs/symptoms of chromium deficiency

Back 35

i. Common in elderly and young
ii. Impaired glucose tolerance

Front 36

Cobalt function

Back 36

i. Integral component of vitamin B12
ii. Necessary for RBC production and myelin sheath formation

Front 37

Signs/symptoms of cobalt deficiency

Back 37

i. Not a concern if B12 is adequate
ii. Concern in vegetarians
iii. Deficiency same as for B12+ anemia and nerve damage

Front 38

Selenium function

Back 38

i. Component of glutathione peroxidase (anti-oxidant)
ii. Involved in synthesis for thyroid hormones
iii. Men have greater need for selenium→ sperm production and motility

Front 39

Selenium toxicity

Back 39

i. Cattle graze on selenium-rich soil exhibit visual, muscular, and heart problems
ii. Similar in humans

Front 40

Acute selenium poisoning

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i. Can lead to fever, anorexia, GI symptoms, liver and kidney impairment, and death

Front 41

Fluoride function

Back 41

i. Prevention of cavities
ii. Bone strengthening

Front 42

Signs/symptoms of fluoride deficiency

Back 42

i. Dental caries
ii. Less stability/strength of bones

Front 43

Fluoride toxicity

Back 43

i. Mottling, discoloration, pitting of teeth
ii. “Fluorosis”

Front 44

What decreases calcium absorption?

Back 44

Oxalate, phytic acid decrease absorption