Questions to Ponder Exam 3 Vitamins and Minerals 1 What is a vitamin What is a mineral 11 08 2010 Vitamin Organic compounds contain carbon many different structures from simple to complex non caloric essential lack of vitamin leads to deficiency scurvy and vitamin C exceptions to be synthesized in the body Needed in small amounts Mineral Nutrients inorganic do not contain carbon may contain an electrical charge non caloric essential lack of mineral for prolonged time leads to deficiency iron deficiency anemia stored well in body can be toxic at high levels 2 What two vitamins can the human body synthesize Vitamin D Niacin o Synthesized in the skin o Require sunlight and 7 dehydrocholesterol o Requires tryptophan o Depends on adequate protein status 3 Compare and contrast fat soluble and water soluble vitamins Fat soluble vitamins o Vitamins A D E and K o Absorbed like dietary fat via lymph requires bile o Can be stored in body fat and in liver o Generally have greater body stores than water soluble vitamins o High likelihood of toxicity A D most toxic Water soluble vitamins o Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Pantothenic Acid Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Biotin and Vitamin C o Tender Romance Never Fails with 6 or 12 Beautiful Pearls o Absorbed into the bloodstream o Usually excreted in urine o Generally have lower body stores than fat soluble vitamins o Low likelihood of toxicity 4 What are the steps in the development of a nutrient deficiency At each step how would one determine that the nutrient deficiency is occurring Primary deficiency caused by inadequate intake or secondary deficiency caused by problem inside the body Diet history Medical history Declining nutrient stores Laboratory tests Abnormal functioning inside the body Laboratory tests Physical signs and symptoms Physical examination and anthropometric measures 5 Which groups are particularly at risk for nutrient deficiencies Those growing or developing o Infants children and teens o Pregnant and lactating women Those with physiological changes o Elderly o HIV AIDS patients o Alcoholics 6 Why is it better to get nutrients from food rather than supplements Are there any exceptions to this Vitamins and minerals absorbed best from food bioavailability May not be used the same way by the body moderators in foods Little risk of toxicity from food Other beneficial compounds in food fiber phytochemicals Potential dangers of dietary supplements lack of regulation If nutrients are not gotten then supplements can be sufficient 7 What is bioavailability What are some factors that impact the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals Does food processing cooking impact the bioavailability of nutrients Bioavailability o The amount of a nutrient in a food that is actually available for human use Not just the amount of a nutrient in a food The amount that is absorbed and used Sometimes nutrients are more available in fortified forms Ex Folate Factors Affecting Bioavailability o Non nutritive components of food Fiber Zinc Calcium Copper Phytate Zinc Oxalic acid Calcium o Chemical form of the mineral Elemental versus complexed Ex Heme iron versus non heme iron o Mineral mineral interactions Zinc and iron Copper and zinc o Vitamin mineral interaction Vitamin C and non heme iron absorption Food Processing and Nutrient Content of Food o Some vitamins minerals break down when exposed to oxygen so the fresher the better o Cooking method can impact the nutrient content of foods o Generally cooking for shorter times in little water will help to maintain nutrient content steam microwave o Water soluble less stable than fat soluble 8 What are the sources and functions of all of the vitamins and minerals that were discussed Hint Use your homework assignment to study for this part 9 Why is Vitamin A important for proper vision there are two ways Part of rhodopsin a pigment within the cells of the retina When light falls on the eye vitamin A splits from rhodopsin initiating a signal that conveys the sensation of sight to the brain Vitamin A deficiency leads to night blindness Needed by epithelial tissue including the protective linings of the Lack of vitamin A makes eye more susceptible to drying and infection cell differentiation 500000 of the world s vitamin A deprived children become blind eyes each year 10 What is an antioxidant What nutrients can act as antioxidants What are the health effects of consuming too few antioxidant nutrients What is the mechanism of action of antioxidants How can antioxidants help to prevent heart disease Antioxidant A substance that prevents free radicals from causing damage to body structures such as cells membranes and DNA Also Vitamin C beta carotene and other carotenoids zinc selenium and copper phytochemcials 11 What is the function of vitamin D What factors can impact whether an individual makes enough Vitamin D in his her skin What will happen if someone does not make consume enough Vitamin D Regulates blood calcium and phosphorous levels thereby maintaining bone integrity osteomalacia rickets Stimulates maturation of cells including immune cells that defend Acts on genes affecting how cells grow multiple and specialize against disease cancer multiple sclerosis 12 What is anemia Deficiency of which three nutrients can result in anemia How would one tell the difference between these types of anemia Why is iron deficiency a problem worldwide Anemia o Inability to carry sufficient oxygen in blood o Most common cause is iron deficiency as iron is oxygen carrying component of hemoglobin o Can also be caused by folate and B12 o Leads to tiredness fatigue inability to do work Testing blood Majority source of iron worldwide is from plant which are not absorbed as well What is the difference between heme and non heme iron in terms of sources and bioavailability Why are women and children particularly susceptible to iron deficiency in animal products Heme iron complexed with a protein this is the form of iron found Non heme iron not complexed with a protein this is the form of iron in plants products and supplements also known as elemental iron May not have as much meat consumed 13 What are the functions of water in the body 60 body weight Medium for body s traffic of nutrients and waste Cleansing agent Temperature regulation Lubricant cushion for joint Medium for chemical reactions in the body 14 What is the most abundant mineral in the body 15 What is osteoporosis How can it be prevented Why is dietary calcium intake
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