General Knowledge for Preparing Field Worker (Health Services)

Minerals and their Significance to a Human Body

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Mineral Elements	Sources	Significance	Effects of deficiency.
Macro Elements
Calcium(Ca)	Milk, cereals, Cheese, Green Vegetables.	Required for formation of teeth and Bones, blood clotting, function of nerves and muscles	Weak theeth and bones; retarded body growth.
Phosphorus(P)			Weak theeth and bones; retarded body growth and physiology.
Sulphur(S)	Many protiens of food.	Component of many amino acids.	Distributed protein metabolism.
Pottassium(K)	Meat, milk, cereals, fruits and vegetables.	Required for acid-base balance, water regulation nad function of nerevs..	Low blood pressure, weak muscles; risk of paralysis..
Chlorine(Cl)	Table salt	Required for acid base balance; component of gastric juice.	Loss of appetite; muscles cramps
Magnesium(Mg)	Cereals, green vegetables.	Cofactor of many enzymes of glycolysis anda number of another metabolic reactions dependent upon ATP	Irregularties of metabolism principally affecting nervous functions.
Iron(Fe)	Meat, eggs, cereals, green vegetables.	Component of haemoglobin and cytochromes.	Anaemia, weakness and weak immunity.
Iodine(I)	Milk, cheese, sea food, iodized salt	important component of thyroxine hormone	Goitre, Cretinism
Micro Elements
Fluorine(F)	Drinking water, tea, sea food	Maintence of bones and teeth.	Weak theeth, larger amount causes motting of teeth.
Zinc(Zn)	Cereals, Milk, eggs, meat, sea food	Cofactor of digestive and many other enzymes	Retarded growth, anaemia, rough skin, weak immunity and fertility
Copper(Cu)	Meat, dry fruits, pods, green vegetables, sea food	Cofactor of cytochrome oxidase enzyme. Necessary for iron metabolism and development of blood vessels and connective tissues	Anaemia, weak blood vessels and connective tissues
Manganese(MN)	Dry fruits, cereals, tea fruits and green vegetables	Cofactor of some enzymes of urea synthesis and transfer of phosphate group	Irregular growth of bones, cartilages and connective tissues
Cobalt(Co)	MIlk, cheese, meat	Important component of vitamin B12	Anaemia
Selenium(SE)	Meat, cereals, sea food	Cofactor of many enzymes; assists vitamin E	Muscular pain; weakness of cardiac muscles
Chromium(CR)	Yeast, sea food, meat, some vegetables	Important for catabolic metabolism	Irregularities of catabolic meatbolism and ATP production
Molybdenum(MO)	Cereals, pods, some vegetables	Cofactor of some enzymes	Irregular excreation of nitrogenous waste products
Vitamin	Chemical Name	Properties	Deficiency disease
A	Retinol	General health giving vitamin, can be stored liver	Night blindness
B1	Thiamine	For Growth, carbohydrate metabolism, functioning of heart	Beri-Beri
B2	Riboflavin	For Keeping skin and mouth healthy	Cheilosis
B5	Niacin	For healthy skin, sound mental health	Pellagra
B6	Pyridoxine	Processing of proteins and for nervous system	Convulsions in child
B12	Cynacobalamin	Required for formation and maturation of RBCs	Pernicious anaemia
C	Ascorbic Acid	For keeping teeth, gums and joints healthy. Gets destroyed on heating	Scurvy
D	Calciferol	For normal bones and teeth, can be stored in liver	Rickets
E	Tocopherol	For normal reproduction, removes scars and wrincles	Sterility
K	Phylloquinone	For normal clotting of blood	Haemophilia