BIOD 121 (portage) Module 4: Vitamins and Minearls

BIOD 121 (portage) Module 4: Vitamins and Minearls Vitamins Ans- organic compounds that the body needs in small amounts, almost exclusively obtained through the diet. Function of vitamines? Ans- help regulate and support a variety of processes related to digestion, absorption, metabolism, and body regulations. Yield no energy: Ans- vitamines Vitamins are important for: Ans- growth and maintenance of our bodies How many essential vitamins are there? Ans- 13 known Essential Vitamins: Ans- found in both plant and animal sources, and the majority cannot be synthesized by the human body. Exceptions to vitamins that do not have to be consumed by in the diet: Ans- Vitamin K and biotin (produced from gut flora in the GI tract), and vitamin D which is synthesized in the skin through sunlight Two vitamins can be produced through precursors: Ans- Vitamin A can be produced after we consume food containing beta carotene, and niacin can be produced when we consume foods containing the amino acid tryptophan. Organic compounds must meet 2 criteria in order to be considered a vitamin: Ans- 1) enough of the compound must be consumed in the diet to maintain health 2) symptoms of deficiency occur in the absence of the compound, resulting in declining health, but is restored when the deficiency is corrected. Why do we fortify and enrich our foods? Ans- During manufacturing of food, some nutrients are lost. Enrichment: Ans- the process of taking nutrients that were lost in the milling or processing of the food and adding them back to the final product Fortification Ans- process of supplementing a product with additional vitamins that would not normally be in that product (i.e. putting vitamin D in orange juice or adding vitamins to cereal) Vitamins can be classified as: Ans- fat soluble or water soluble Fat-soluble vitamins: Ans- dependent on dietary fat for absorption. Once absorbed they are stored in adipose tissue and liver. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are: Ans- fat soluble Since fat-soluble vitamins are not easily excreted from the body, excess consumption over time could lead to: Ans- toxic levels in the body Two forms of Vitamin A: Ans- Preformed (Retinol, Retinal) and Provitamin (carotenoids) Functions of Preformed vitamin A Ans- vision, immunity, growth development, disease prevention Functions of Provitamin A Ans- precursors, antioxidants Deficiencies of Preformed Vitamin A Ans- night blindness, Xeropthalmia Xeropthalmia: Ans- occurs when mucus isn't developing and blindness sets in Deficiencies of Provitamin A Ans- Macular Degeneration Sources of Preformed Vitamin A Ans- Animal sources Sources of Provitamin A Ans- Plant sources: yellow, orange, red, green leafy vegetables Which for of vitamin A can become toxic in high levels? Ans- preformed vitamin A Retinal: Ans- helps the eyes adjust from bright to dim light Antioxidant: Ans- stop the reactive substances (oxidants) from potentially causing damage to cells Vitamin D: Ans- unique because it is both a vitamin and a hormone Forms of Vitamin D: Ans- D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) Functions of D2 (ergocalciferol): Ans- calcium regulation, immune system D2 (ergocalcuferol): Ans- synthetic product used in supplements D3 (cholecalciferol): Ans- form made by the human body Functions of D3 (cholecalciferol): Ans- muscles and blood pressure Deficiencies of D2 Ans- rickets (in children), osteomalacia (adults) Deficiencies of D3 Ans- osteoporosis Sources of D2 Ans- synthetic supplements Sources of D3 Ans- humane body (synthesizes it), fatty fish, eggs, yogurt 10 minutes of sunshine 2-3 days a week will give you _________________ of our vitamin D needs. Ans80-100% Rickets: Ans- result of low vitamin D2 in children and results in soft bones and bowed legs Osteomalcia Ans- inadequate calcium absorption and deposition in the bones leads Osteoporosis Ans- occurs as bone mass decreases and bones thin and become porous Experts recommend that adults take ____________ IUs of vitamin D daily. Ans- 1000 Vitamin E: Ans- main function is as an antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from free radicals. Tocopherol is the chemical name for Ans- vitamin E Free radicals Ans- can alter a cell's DNA, damage cell membranes, and increase the risk for cancer (for this reason vitamin E is the most widely used supplement) Forms of Vitamin E Ans- Alpha and Gamma Functions of vitamin E Ans- antioxidant, anti-aging, immune function, heat health Deficiencies of vitamin E: Ans- rarely occur, but may result in Hemolysis (break down of red blood cells) Sources of vitamin E Ans- most biologically active, plants Vitamin K: Ans- primarily involved in the process of coagulation (blood clotting) Which vitamin disappears from the body within 24 hours? Ans- vitamin K Functions of Vitamin K: Ans- blood clotting, bone formation, muscles Deficiencies of Vitamin K: Ans- RARE, infants, older adults, antibodies Sources of Vitamin K: Ans- oils, plants, fish, meat, synthesi