IMPORTANCE OF MINERALS IN METABOLISM

  • Minerals = Calcium
  • Sources = Milk, Cereals (ragi), Meat, Vegetables, Fruits.
  • Functions = Components of bone & teeth ; helps in blood clotting ; muscle contraction ; conduction of nerve impulses etc.,
  • Deficiency Symptoms = defective bones & teeth; acute deficiency causes Tetany & Rickets.
  • Minerals = Phosphorus
  • Sources = Milk, Cereals, Eggs, Fish, Meat.
  • Functions = formation of bone & teeth ; component of nucleic acids ; energy molecules & coenzymes.
  • Deficiency Symptoms = defective bones & teeth ; acute deficiency causes Tetany & Rickets.
  • Minerals = Sodium
  • Sources = Table Salt, Vegetables.
  • Functions = maintenance of ionic & water balance ; muscle contraction ; conduction of nerve impulses ; components of digestive juices ; sodium salts of bile emulsify fats..
  • Deficiency Symptoms = improper muscle contraction ; nervous depression ; loss Na+ in urine ; dehydration.
  • Minerals = Potassium
  • Sources = Vegetables
  • Functions = Osmotic balance ; muscle contraction ; nerve impulse conduction.
  • Deficiency Symptoms = nervous disorder ; poor muscle control leading to paralysis.
  • Minerals = Iron
  • Sources = Liver, Eggs, Molasses, Cereals, Pulses, Leafy vegetables, Apple, Guava.
  • Functions = formation of Hb ; so helps in O2 transport ; component of cytochromes of ETS.; Co-factor of catalase enzyme.
  • Deficiency Symptoms = Anaemia
  • Minerals = Iodine
  • Sources = Sea food, water, iodised salt, etc.,
  • Functions = normal functioning of thyroid ; components of thyroxine so controls BMR.
  • Deficiency Symptoms = Goitre ; Cretinism ; Myxoedema.
  • Minerals = Zinc
  • Sources = Beet, Cheese.
  • Functions = Co-factor of carbonic anhydrase ; helps in transport of CO2 & Vit-A metabolism.
  • Deficiency Symptoms = reduced respiration.
  • Minerals = Magnesium
  • Sources = Soyabean, green leafy vegetables.
  • Functions = ----
  • Deficiency Symptoms = Heart & vascular irregularities.

  • Minerals = Manganese
  • Sources = Pea-nuts, nuts.
  • Functions = normal reproductive functions
  • Deficiency Symptoms = deficiency causes reproductive failure.
  • Minerals = Copper
  • Sources = Peanuts, beet, Liver, Spleen.
  • Functions = synthesis of haemoglobin ; components of haemocyanin.
  • Deficiency Symptoms = Anaemia.