NATS 1560 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Calcification, Hemoglobin, Thiamine
11 Dec 2017
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Micronutrients - required by our bodies, but in small amounts. Mineral - comes from the earth"s rocky crust; as rock weathers over time, these mineral atoms become part of the soul and are taken up by plants. We need certain minerals for proper physiological functioning. Calcium + phosphorous - primary constituents of bones and teeth. Our bodies absorb minerals at different rates depending upon the chemical form, the state of our digestive system or our age. Too much calcium might lead to calcification (hardening) of important arteries. Other minerals are required in far smaller amounts - trace elements. Occur naturally in the soil and pass to us through plant and animal foods. Most important is iron - part of the hemoglobin molecule that carries oxygen to the cells. Too much iron - fact in heart disease. Many are deficient in the mineral zinc.
