Introduction to Vitamins
Vitamins play a vital role in health and wellness and perform specific metabolic
functions. From previous foundational courses, you have learned the function of
these organic molecules (i.e. vitamins), to include their requirements in small
amounts to support body functions.
As a health care provider, it is vital to understand the role of vitamins; how the body
uses each, deficiencies, and use through supplementation. The controversies
surrounding vitamins hold interest as well. Are fresh fruits better than sun-dried? Are
frozen vegetables better than steamed? Am I supposed to supplement my diet? The
answers to these questions varies, depending on who you ask and if any deficiencies
exist.
In this learning module, you will gain knowledge of vitamin use for personal health
and for educating clients about the essential need for vitamins to support optimal
health and wellness. This introduction to vitamins includes:
• Defining vitamins
• Exploring vitamins role in health and wellness
• Identifying vitamin categories and supplementation
,Vitamins
Which vitamins cannot be stored by the body, requiring individuals to ingest them
each day?
Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins are stored in fat cells. Water-soluble vitamins are
vitamins that pass through the body's water supply. The body cannot keep these
vitamins, so they must be ingested for the body to maintain an appropriate level.
Your response is correct!
Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins include
thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, cobalamin, biotin, pantothenic acid,
choline, and vitamin C.
Your response is correct!
Vitamins
How can individuals ensure their vitamin intake meets their body requirements?
Have labs drawn monthly to check therapeutic levels.
Ensure your diet includes a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
Take a vitamin supplement.
Rely on food purchases being fortified with vitamins.
The best way to ensure optimal vitamin intake is to eat nutrient-rich foods, which
includes a diet with a variety of foods from all the major food groups. Reliance on
supplements and fortification of foods does not result in a therapeutic diet.
,Supplement use may be used to accompany primary or secondary vitamin
deficiencies, but are for primary use. Your response is correct!
What Are Vitamins, Anyway?
Vit
amins are nutrients; essential noncaloric, organic molecules needed in the diet. Often,
they are referred to as micronutrients, since only small amounts are needed in the
body to perform specific metabolic functions. Vitamins act as helpers to get chemical
processes done. They are essential for our bodies, and because we cannot produce
them on our own, we must consume them. After vitamins are ingested, they act as
precursors and turn vitamins into active chemicals. Vitamins are divided into two
categories:
• Fat-soluble vitamins: These are stored in fat cells, in the liver, and near the
liver for 3—6 weeks.
• Water-soluble vitamins: These pass through the body's water supply. The
body cannot keep these vitamins, so they must be ingested for the body to
maintain an appropriate level.
, Vitamins often act as a buffer in many chemical reactions; they aid other nutrients
in the digestion and absorption processes. Some vitamins can act as a precursor
molecule in foods where, once ingested, they chemically rearrange into their active
form. For example, the precursor of vitamin A is beta-carotene, and the active form
is called retinol. To promote health and wellness, vitamins and minerals are
considered essential nutrients; and in acting together, they carry out hundreds of
functional roles within the body. For example, they help with growth and
development, strong bones, heal wounds, and strengthen your immune system.
Function of Vitamins
What functions within the body are supported by vitamins? Select all that apply.
Vitamins often act as a buffer in many chemical reactions; they aid other nutrients
in the digestion and absorption processes. Some vitamins can act as a precursor
molecule in foods where, once ingested, they chemically rearrange into their active
form.
Minerals help the body maintain fluid balance (sodium) and create gastric acids
(chloride).
Your response is incorrect!
Vitamin Intake
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) offer quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to
be used for planning and assessing diets applicable to healthy individuals in the
United States and Canada (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine,
2020).
DRIs include Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamin intake, which
provides a standard of care for good nutrition.
RDAs represent the average daily dietary intake sufficient to meet the nutrient
requirements of nearly all (97%-98%) healthy individuals in a particular life-stage or
gender group.
Vitamins play a vital role in health and wellness and perform specific metabolic
functions. From previous foundational courses, you have learned the function of
these organic molecules (i.e. vitamins), to include their requirements in small
amounts to support body functions.
As a health care provider, it is vital to understand the role of vitamins; how the body
uses each, deficiencies, and use through supplementation. The controversies
surrounding vitamins hold interest as well. Are fresh fruits better than sun-dried? Are
frozen vegetables better than steamed? Am I supposed to supplement my diet? The
answers to these questions varies, depending on who you ask and if any deficiencies
exist.
In this learning module, you will gain knowledge of vitamin use for personal health
and for educating clients about the essential need for vitamins to support optimal
health and wellness. This introduction to vitamins includes:
• Defining vitamins
• Exploring vitamins role in health and wellness
• Identifying vitamin categories and supplementation
,Vitamins
Which vitamins cannot be stored by the body, requiring individuals to ingest them
each day?
Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins are stored in fat cells. Water-soluble vitamins are
vitamins that pass through the body's water supply. The body cannot keep these
vitamins, so they must be ingested for the body to maintain an appropriate level.
Your response is correct!
Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble vitamins include
thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, cobalamin, biotin, pantothenic acid,
choline, and vitamin C.
Your response is correct!
Vitamins
How can individuals ensure their vitamin intake meets their body requirements?
Have labs drawn monthly to check therapeutic levels.
Ensure your diet includes a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
Take a vitamin supplement.
Rely on food purchases being fortified with vitamins.
The best way to ensure optimal vitamin intake is to eat nutrient-rich foods, which
includes a diet with a variety of foods from all the major food groups. Reliance on
supplements and fortification of foods does not result in a therapeutic diet.
,Supplement use may be used to accompany primary or secondary vitamin
deficiencies, but are for primary use. Your response is correct!
What Are Vitamins, Anyway?
Vit
amins are nutrients; essential noncaloric, organic molecules needed in the diet. Often,
they are referred to as micronutrients, since only small amounts are needed in the
body to perform specific metabolic functions. Vitamins act as helpers to get chemical
processes done. They are essential for our bodies, and because we cannot produce
them on our own, we must consume them. After vitamins are ingested, they act as
precursors and turn vitamins into active chemicals. Vitamins are divided into two
categories:
• Fat-soluble vitamins: These are stored in fat cells, in the liver, and near the
liver for 3—6 weeks.
• Water-soluble vitamins: These pass through the body's water supply. The
body cannot keep these vitamins, so they must be ingested for the body to
maintain an appropriate level.
, Vitamins often act as a buffer in many chemical reactions; they aid other nutrients
in the digestion and absorption processes. Some vitamins can act as a precursor
molecule in foods where, once ingested, they chemically rearrange into their active
form. For example, the precursor of vitamin A is beta-carotene, and the active form
is called retinol. To promote health and wellness, vitamins and minerals are
considered essential nutrients; and in acting together, they carry out hundreds of
functional roles within the body. For example, they help with growth and
development, strong bones, heal wounds, and strengthen your immune system.
Function of Vitamins
What functions within the body are supported by vitamins? Select all that apply.
Vitamins often act as a buffer in many chemical reactions; they aid other nutrients
in the digestion and absorption processes. Some vitamins can act as a precursor
molecule in foods where, once ingested, they chemically rearrange into their active
form.
Minerals help the body maintain fluid balance (sodium) and create gastric acids
(chloride).
Your response is incorrect!
Vitamin Intake
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) offer quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes to
be used for planning and assessing diets applicable to healthy individuals in the
United States and Canada (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine,
2020).
DRIs include Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamin intake, which
provides a standard of care for good nutrition.
RDAs represent the average daily dietary intake sufficient to meet the nutrient
requirements of nearly all (97%-98%) healthy individuals in a particular life-stage or
gender group.
