What are the effects of magnesium deficiency?

Magnesium deficiency causes muscle weakness, cramps, tremor and an irregular heartbeat. Deficiency is uncommon and usually follows prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea, or kidney disease.

What are the effects of excess magnesium?

High-dose magnesium supplements cause diarrhoea, because magnesium salts draw water into the bowel. People with kidney disease cannot excrete magnesium well and are at risk of dangerously high blood levels.

What are the functions of sodium in the body?

Sodium is the main positive ion in the fluid outside cells and controls the body's water balance. Sodium is also needed for nerve impulses and muscle contraction.

CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science 3310

Protein

Topic overview Functions of protein Amino acids, biological value and complementation Animal and plant sources of protein Novel protein sources Nitrogen balance and protein requirements

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Overweight and Obesity

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Cardiovascular Disease

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Cancer

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Food Security and Food PovertyOption A

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Food SustainabilityOption A

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Food WasteOption A

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Changing Consumer BehaviourOption A

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Food Safety Through the Food ChainOption B

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Food AllergensOption B

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Food Safety Controls and LegislationOption B

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Research Skills

Topic overview Primary and secondary research Questionnaires and interviews Food diaries, observation and sensory evaluation Sampling and research ethics Evaluating and referencing sources Analysing and presenting data

Minerals

Magnesium, sodium and potassium

3 things to know
AS 1

Overview

The functions, sources, deficiency and excess of magnesium, sodium and potassium, sodium additives, converting salt to sodium, and low-sodium salt substitutes.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What are the functions of magnesium?

Key term

Name valuable food sources of magnesium.

Key term

Why are green vegetables a good source of magnesium?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What are the functions of magnesium?
Model answer
Magnesium is part of the structure of bones and teeth. Magnesium also activates many enzymes, including those that release energy, and is needed for nerve and muscle function.
2
Name valuable food sources of magnesium.
Model answer
Green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals are rich in magnesium. Brown rice, pulses, fish and dairy foods also supply it.
3
Why are green vegetables a good source of magnesium?
Model answer
Magnesium sits at the centre of the chlorophyll molecule. Green vegetables rich in chlorophyll are therefore rich in magnesium.
4
What are the effects of magnesium deficiency?
Model answer
Magnesium deficiency causes muscle weakness, cramps, tremor and an irregular heartbeat. Deficiency is uncommon and usually follows prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea, or kidney disease.
5
What are the effects of excess magnesium?
Model answer
High-dose magnesium supplements cause diarrhoea, because magnesium salts draw water into the bowel. People with kidney disease cannot excrete magnesium well and are at risk of dangerously high blood levels.
6
What are the functions of sodium in the body?
Model answer
Sodium is the main positive ion in the fluid outside cells and controls the body's water balance. Sodium is also needed for nerve impulses and muscle contraction.

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