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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, the reader should be able to:
4.1 Define the term micronutrient and explain the different categories of micronutrients.
4.2 Describe the role of electrolytes in athletic performance.
4.3 List the micronutrients most commonly deficient in athletes.
4.4 Describe the benefit or lack of benefit of vitamin and mineral supplementation.
4.5 Explain the importance of water for health and athletic performance.
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KEY TERMS
active transport The passage of a particle from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration made possible through the use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
anion A negatively charged molecule.
antioxidant A substance that prevents or repairs oxidative damage; includes vitamins C and E, some carotenoids, selenium, quinones, and bioflavonoids.
cation A positively charged molecule.
chelation compounds A compound that consists of a molecule bonded to a single atom, usually a metal, which allows the metal to be more efficiently absorbed by the body.
cofactor A substance that needs to be present in addition to an enzyme in order for a chemical reaction to occur.
colonic bacteria Benign bacteria that colonize the large intestine (the colon) of the human gut.
dehydration A state of decreased total body fluid, which is categorized as mild (< 2% loss of body weight), moderate (2% to 7%), and severe (> 7%).
duodenum The approximately 1-foot long first portion of the small intestine where the majority of chemical digestion of food occurs.
electrolytes Minerals that exist as charged ions in the body and are extremely important for normal cellular function.
enriched food A food to which specific nutrients, such as B vitamins and iron, are added to replace nutrients lost during processing.
facilitated diffusion The passage of a particle from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration with a protein carrier.
fat-soluble vitamins Vitamins that are stored in and absorbed by fat; vitamins A, D, E, and K.
female athlete triad A syndrome characterized by an eating disorder (or low energy availability), amenorrhea, and decreased bone mineral density. ferritin The storage form of iron.
fortified food A food to which specific nutrients not inherently available in that food are added, such as vitamin D in milk.
functional anemia Low iron ferritin levels in the context of normal hemoglobin concentration.
glycogenolysis The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose molecules.
heat stroke A severe heat-related illness with extreme increase in core body temperature resulting from prolonged exposure to heat without adequate replacement of fluids and electrolytes; symptoms include lack of sweating, strong and rapid pulse, disorientation, and loss of consciousness; often fatal without rapid treatment.
heme iron Iron bound within the iron-carrying proteins of hemoglobin and myoglobin complex found in meat, fish, and poultry.
hemoglobin An iron-rich protein of red blood cells that carries oxygen to working cells.
hyponatremia An abnormally low concentration of blood sodium (less than 135 millimoles per liter ...