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Nat Nutrition 1 - Lectures > 06 Vitamins and Minerals > Flashcards

06 Vitamins and Minerals Flashcards

1
Q

Where is B7 stored?

A

In mitochondria. High concentrations in the brain than in plasma.

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2
Q

What is biotin usually bound to?

A

Proteins.

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3
Q

What things manifest in B7 def/insuf?

A

Cradle cap, seborrheic dermatitis.

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4
Q

B7 therapeutics?

A

Helps brittle nails by thickening nails.

Biotin AND chromium helps reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes suffers in whom diabetic drugs are not effective.

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5
Q

What is biotin dependent on and what can create Biotin def/insuf?

A

B5 pantothenic acid and Na+.

Long term antibiotic use.
Poor gut function.
Smoking.
Chronic gut diseases.
Heavy alcohol intake.
Intake of raw egg whites.
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6
Q

What functions is folate B9 dependent on?

What is THF and what is it used in?

A

Conversion of homocysteine to methionine, DNA synthesis and cell growth and division.
THF = Tetrahydrofolate used in numerous metabolic reactions.

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7
Q

What is the folate trap?

What causes the folate trap?

A

Before folate is delivered to the body cells, a methyl group is added to the folate.
In order for the folate to function, the methyl group must be removed by an enzyme that requires B12.
Without the enzyme, the folate become trapped in the cells in it’s methyl form and unable to preform its functions.
Caused by B12 deficiency.

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8
Q

What birth deformation was discovered in the 1980’s due to folate deficiency and how is it caused?
Why is 400µg of folate recommended peri conception (pre conception)

A

Spina Bifida.
Caused by the non-closure of the spinal neural tubes in the baby.
Closure happens in the foetus by day 28 before the woman knows she’s pregnant, hence the need to make sure there’s no deficiency before conception.

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9
Q

What specific therapeutics does folate help with

A

Lowers homocysteine levels.
Reduces asymptomatic atherosclerosis and improves arterial blood flow.
Lowers risk of stroke & cardiovascular disease.
Decreases risk of breast and pancreatic cancer.
Helps with depression.
Improves vitiligo.

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10
Q

What can folate deficiency affect and cause?

A

Impairs cell division and protein synthesis.
Affects RBCs first resulting in megaloblastic anaemia and GI deterioration.
High homocysteine levels.
Spina bifida and foetal growth retardation.
Possibly vitiligo.

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11
Q

What are both folate and B12 critical for?

A

DNA synthesis and repair.

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12
Q

Name some analogues of cobalamin B12 and which are most effective?

A

Methylcobalamin - most active form.
Hydroxycobalamin - created by gut bacteria and easily utilised by body.
Cyancobalamin - synthetic version
Adenosylcobalamin - created in citric acid cycle.
Aquacobalamin.

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13
Q

What is B12 primary role?

A

As a one carbon methyl donor which facilitates the metabolism of B9 and DNA synthesis and repair.

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14
Q

What is B12 usually bound to?
In the stomach, what is B12 combined with and what type of protein is this, and where is B12 absorbed?
What releases B12 from the protein?

A

Combined with intrinsic factor which is a glycoprotein. Absorbed in the distal ileum.
Pepsin releases the B12 from the protein.

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15
Q

What is B12 main functions?

A

Key role in nervous system for the synthesis of myelin.

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16
Q

How much B12 can the liver store and how long can this last for?

A

Liver can store around 2000µg which can las for 5-7 years.

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17
Q

What helps reduce homocysteine levels?

A

B12 with folate/folic acid and B6 and lifestyle change.

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18
Q

What are some B12 deficiency and insufficiency signs and symptoms?

A

Def: Balance, memory, confusion, dementia, nerve damage.
Ins: Meg-anaemia, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, sore swollen tongue, numb/tingling hands/feet.

19
Q

What are the functions of vit C?

A

Antioxidant. Donates electrons easily to other elements, enzymes and reactions.
Used for collagen, protein metabolism, synthesis of hormones and aminos.
Increases iron absorption by preventing oxidation.
Immunity and possibly cancer prevention.

20
Q

What is a mineral?

A

Inorganic substance that humans cannot synthesise.

They aid reactions for many different bodily functions.

21
Q 
What are the chemical symbols for the following minerals?
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Chlorine
Sulphur
Iron
Zinc
Iodine
Selenium
Manganese
Fluoride
Molybdenum
Copper
Chromium
Cobalt
Boron
A 
Calcium - Ca
Phosphorus - P
Magnesium - Mg
Sodium - Na
Potassium - K
Chlorine - Cl
Sulphur - S
Iron - Fe
Zinc - Zn
Iodine - I
Selenium - Se
Manganese - Mn
Fluoride - F
Molybdenum - Mo
Copper - Cu
Chromium - Cr
Cobalt - Co
Boron - B
22
Q

What is the most abundant mineral in the body and where is most of it stored?
How is it used in muscles and especially where?

A

Calcium. Mostly stored in bones and teeth.

Needed for muscle contraction and nerve transmission, especially in the heart and smooth muscle.

23
Q

Is calcium absorbed by active and passive transport and what states decide this?

A

Both.
Active: Vitamin D stimulates calcium binding proteins called calbindins, which happens when calcium is below recommended levels.
Passive: Vitamin D is not used when calcium intake levels are high.

24
Q

What can reduce calcium absorption (4 things)?

A

Reduction can be caused by low vit D levels which reduce calbindin production and prevent absorption.
Oxalic acid in rhubarb, spinach, chard, beet greens etc binds and forms insoluble calcium oxelate.
Phytic acid combines and creates insoluble calcium phytate.
Dietary fibre may also decrease absorption.

25
Q

What can increase calcium absorption?

A

Acidic environment can increase absorption, thus it’s better to take with meals due to stomach acids aiding metabolism.
Lactose (milk sugar) can aid absorption in infants.

26
Q

What are some specific therapeutics of Ca supplementation (5 things)?

A

Bone loss - premenopausal women (low estrogen causing bone reabsorption - more osteoclasts) - 1000mg pd, but has no effect for 5 years after.
Foetal bone mineralisation - supp during pregnancy if dietary intake is low.
PMS - reduces depression and water retention.
Dyspepsia - take calcium carbonate as an antacid.
Hypertension (DASH diet? - increase calcium, potassium and magnesium).

27
Q

What can cause Ca deficiency/insufficiency (7 things)?

A

Those with lactose intolerance as lactase is needed to break away calcium in the dairy for use.
Low vit D levels (low sun exposure).
Parathyroid insufficiency or hormone imbalance.
Too much phytic and oxalic acid from foods inhibit absorption.
Caffeine reduces absorption.
High alcohol intake.
Ageing - low gastric acidity.

28
Q

Magnesium needs to be bonded with something, name some of the most regular bonds in supplements.

A

Oxide - oxygen, limited absorption.
Citrate - citric acid, higher absorption.
Taurate - bonded to taurine, muscle relaxant and best option for heart conditions.
Threonate - crosses blood/brain barrier, improves learning abilities.

29
Q

Where is mag found in the body and what is absorption related to?

A

2/3 in skeleton, rest in muscle cells.

Absorption related to mag status in the body - more absorbed if low, less if high.

30
Q

Main mag functions?

A

Catalyst in hundreds of enzyme functions.
Adds last phosphate to ATP, so essential for energy production.
Required for active transport of K & Ca across cell membrane - therefore, nerve impulse, muscle contraction, heart rhythm.
Essential for immune system.

31
Q

Mag therapeutics?

A

Constipation.
Dyspepsia.
Helps prevent:
Diabetes, kidney stones, migraines, osteoporosis, PMS, stroke, hypertension.

32
Q

Some forms of Zinc?

A

Chelated - electric charge added , making it a charged mineral possibly increasing absorption.
Orotate - chelated to orotic acid, neutral charge helping it to enter cells more easily.
Picolinate - chelated to picolinic acid.
Acetate - chemically altered, lowers cold symptoms.
Oxide - inorganic, used in topical preparations.

33
Q

Functions of zinc?

A

Sperm formation.
Skin integrity and acne treatment.
Cell growth and replication.

34
Q

Zinc specific therapeutics?

A

Acne.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
ADHD.
Cold reduction symptoms.

35
Q

Zinc deficiency/insufficiency?

A 
Veggies and vegans due to phytates in plants and wholegrains binding zinc.
Infertility.
Skin disorders.
Alcoholics.
Decreased taste.
Delayed wound healing.
Alopecia.
36
Q

What are the two forms of phosphorus, which is the more stable and where is ti found in the body?
How is it mostly used?

A

Red and white, red more stable.
Found in every cell in the body.
Mostly used as a catalyst.

37
Q

How is phosphorus usually found and what are phosphates components of?

A

Usually found bound to oxygen as phosphates.

Phosphates are components of DNA, RNA, ATP & Phospholipids.

38
Q

How does is work with B vits?

What are other functions of phosphorus?

A

Works with B vits in functioning of kidneys, muscle contraction, nerve signalling and heart beat.
Other uses for bone growth, calcium usage, blood pH, phosphorylation reactions.

39
Q

Potassium functions?

A

Primary regulator in cell function.

With sodium, it’s the principle electrolyte of the body maintaining osmotic pressure and electrolyte balance.

40
Q

Potassium therapeutics?

A

Low potassium = high blood pressure.
High food intakes can correct hypertension esp increasing K and decreasing Na.
Reduce risk of stroke.

41
Q

K insuf/def?

A

High blood pressure/hypertension.

Muscle cramps, irregular heart beat, insomnia, confusion, insatiable thirst.

42
Q

Sodium functions?

A

Modify flavour.
Preserve foods.
Nerve impulse transmission.
Muscle contraction.
Regulates water balance, pH balance and osmotic pressure.
Stimulate vasoconstriction and some hormone release.

43
Q

What is sodium usually bound with in table salt and what is it called?

A

Chloride.

Called Sodium Chloride.

44
Q

Sodium specific therapeutics?

A

High sodium major cause of hypertension.
Salt (NaCl) has more effect on blood pressure than Na and Cl alone.
Also low intake of Ca, K & Mg increases Na effect on hypertension.

Nat Nutrition 1 - Lectures (10 decks)

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