Unit 21: Nutrition for Health and Social Care
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Task: Describe the characteristics of the following minerals by completing the table
Mineral Function Food sources (include at Effects of shortage Recommended
least 3) daily amount
(RDA)
Iron Functions include production Red meat Effects of shortage include 8.7mg a day for
of haemoglobin and helping Breakfast cereals anaemia, breathlessness, men over 18
the immune system and Dark green leafy tiredness, feeling cold, dizziness, 14.8mg a day for
growth in childhood. vegetables headaches, fast pulse and low women aged 19-50
concentration. 8.7mg a day for
women over 50
Calcium Functions include developing Dairy e.g. milk and Effects of shortage include rickets, 700mg a day for
strong bones and teeth, blood cheese osteomalacia, osteoporosis and adults aged 19-64
clotting, helping the heart, Tofu muscle cramps.
muscles and nerves work Bread
properly and activating
certain enzymes.
Magnesiu Functions include storing, Green leafy vegetables Effects of shortage include 300mg a day for
m burning and using energy, Nuts insomnia, muscle cramps, men aged 19-64
keeping all the minerals in Grains palpitations, cold hands, soft or 270mg a day for
balance, helping muscles to brittle nails and depression. women aged 19-
work properly, keeping bones 64 years
and teeth strong and reducing
blood pressure.
Sodium Functions include helping Eggs Effects of shortage include 2.4g a day for
maintain fluid balance Meat dizziness, confusion, tiredness adults over 18
(sodium works with Processed foods and muscle cramps.
potassium), regulating blood
pressure and aiding muscle
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Task: Describe the characteristics of the following minerals by completing the table
Mineral Function Food sources (include at Effects of shortage Recommended
least 3) daily amount
(RDA)
Iron Functions include production Red meat Effects of shortage include 8.7mg a day for
of haemoglobin and helping Breakfast cereals anaemia, breathlessness, men over 18
the immune system and Dark green leafy tiredness, feeling cold, dizziness, 14.8mg a day for
growth in childhood. vegetables headaches, fast pulse and low women aged 19-50
concentration. 8.7mg a day for
women over 50
Calcium Functions include developing Dairy e.g. milk and Effects of shortage include rickets, 700mg a day for
strong bones and teeth, blood cheese osteomalacia, osteoporosis and adults aged 19-64
clotting, helping the heart, Tofu muscle cramps.
muscles and nerves work Bread
properly and activating
certain enzymes.
Magnesiu Functions include storing, Green leafy vegetables Effects of shortage include 300mg a day for
m burning and using energy, Nuts insomnia, muscle cramps, men aged 19-64
keeping all the minerals in Grains palpitations, cold hands, soft or 270mg a day for
balance, helping muscles to brittle nails and depression. women aged 19-
work properly, keeping bones 64 years
and teeth strong and reducing
blood pressure.
Sodium Functions include helping Eggs Effects of shortage include 2.4g a day for
maintain fluid balance Meat dizziness, confusion, tiredness adults over 18
(sodium works with Processed foods and muscle cramps.
potassium), regulating blood
pressure and aiding muscle
