1. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Minerals A micronutrient

2. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health The minerals Important minerals for good nutrition include: Calcium Iron Iodine Sodium Fluoride Phosphorus

3. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health There are a number of different minerals We need minerals in only small quantities, but they have very important functions Minerals are present in bones, teeth, muscles, soft tissues, blood, nerve cells

4. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Fruit and vegetables (rich in nutrients such as minerals) provide a protective factor for the body They help defend against dietary diseases such as cardiovascular disease, some cancers and diabetes mellitus

5. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Vitamins and minerals often have an interrelationship with other nutrients to help them perform their functions – e.g. calcium and phosphorus work together to be deposited into and harden bone – Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium and phosphorus

6. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Functions of calcium Formation, hardening and maintenance of bones and teeth. Calcium is stored in the skeleton, but is not static Nerve and muscle functioning e.g. heart Blood clotting Activity of some enzymes e.g. insulin

7. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Food sources Dairy products, such as milk, yoghurt and cheese Green leafy vegetables Fish such as sardines and salmon Calcium absorption is improved by Vitamin D, lactose and growth hormones

8. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Calcium deficiency Muscle cramps Heart palpitations Numbness in limbs Osteoporosis – brittle and weak bones

9. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Functions of iron Formation of haemoglobin to carry oxygen in the blood. Most iron in the body is in haemoglobin, but is also stored in bone marrow, spleen and liver Formation of myoglobin which stores oxygen in muscle cells

10. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Food sources Haem iron (well absorbed in the body) –Liver, kidney, beef, oysters Non-haem iron (not well absorbed in the body) –Green leafy vegetable –Wholegrain cereals –Legumes and lentils

11. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Iron deficiency Brittle nails Tiredness Paleness Headaches Decreased attention span Anaemia (lethargy, tiredness, lack of energy)

12. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Functions of iodine Formation of thyroxine, a hormone from the thyroid gland needed to regulate metabolism Extra-cellular fluid

13. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Food sources Seafood Iodised table salt, cooking oils and sauces Vegetables

14. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Iodine deficiency Hardening of arteries Obesity Sluggish metabolism Brain damage in the foetus during pregnancy Retardation of growth and development Goitre – enlargement of thyroid gland Image source: lamedicinedouce.com

15. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Functions of sodium Transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction Controlling blood pressure Maintains osmotic pressure and water balance within the cell

16. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Food sources of sodium Table salt Meat Takeaway and processed foods

17. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Sodium deficiency Deficiency is uncommon Excess in the diet can lead to hypertension – high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke and heart attacks

18. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Function of fluoride Strengthens tooth enamel against dental caries, especially in developing teeth

19. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Food sources Seafood Tea Fluoridated water

20. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Fluoride deficiency Weakened tooth enamel Dental caries

21. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Functions of phosphorus Mineralisation (hardening) of bones Energy metabolism Balance of body fluids

22. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Phosphorus food sources Cereals Peanuts Chicken Fish Eggs

23. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Phosphorus deficiency Can contribute to rickets in young and osteomalacia in adults Growth retardation Bone loss Weakness