1. Introduction Flashcards
Difference between Macro // Micro nutrients
- carbs, fat, protein // vitamins and minerals
- needed in gram amounts // milli or microgram amounts
- provide energy // no energy
Meanings of “Vita” and “Amine”
Vita = Life Amine = N containing
Definition of vitamins (5)
- Organic Compound (non-caloric)
- Natural component of food (present in minute amounts)
- Essential for normal PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTION
- Specific deficiency syndrome
- Not synthesized in adequate amounts for physiological needs
How many vitamins are there?
14
How many B vitamins are there?
What are they?
8 total: Thiamin = B1 Riboflavin = B2 Niacin = B3 Pantothenic Acid = B5 Pyridoxine = B6 Biotin Folic Acid Cabalamin = B12 *** Choline closely related to the B bits
What are the water-soluble vitamins?
B vits (+ choline), and Vit C
10 total
Classification of water soluble vitamins (5)
- hydrophilic
- can’t be stored (needed daily)
- move directly into blood (travel freely)
- easily taken up and released by tissues
- excess excreted in urine
Water soluble vitamins are non-toxic, because?
Excess is excreted in urine
Fat soluble vitamins
Vits A, D, E, K
Classification of fat-soluble vitamins (6)
hydrophobic dissolve in fat (dietary and body) need dietary fat to be absorbed enter blood via lymph; need transport proteins can be stored (liver and body fat) More concern about excess
def Organic
Carbon containing
T or F?
Vitamins can be easily destroyed?
True
** remember
What vitamins are particularly vulnerable to being destroyed? (3)
Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vit C
What destroys Thiamin?
Prolonged Heating
What destroys Riboflavin?
UV light
What destroys Vit C?
Oxygen
Example of a metabolic function performed by a single vitamin?
Vision (Vit A) Blood Clotting (Vit K)
Example of a metabolic function performed by multiple vitamins
Antioxidant
Vits E, C, and beta carotene
3 general functions of vitamins
Coenzymes (Largest role)
Hydrogen/electron acceptors/donors
Hormones
Vitamins that function as a hormone?
Vit D
Vitamins that function as a coenzyme?
B vitamins
Vits A, K, C
Vitamins that function as hydrogen/electron acceptors/donors?
B Vitamins
Vits C, E, K
Def: Bioavailability
The rate and extent to which a nutrient is absorbed and used
Bioavailability depends on what 2 factors?
- amount in food
2. amount absorbed and utilized by the body (very complex)
Factors that effect the amount of vitamins absorbed and utilized by the body? (name multiple)
- nutrient-nutrient interaction
- medications
- genetic differences
- intestinal health
- processing
- age
-more possible reasons, very complex
How many elements exist?
How many are essential for human life?
~90 in the environment
~22 essential
Characteristics of minerals (4)
- Inorganic
- Retain chemical identity
- Have absorption issues
- bioavailability
- minerals bind to other compounds (phytate, oxalate, tannins) - Toxicity issues
How are minerals classified?
by the amount present in the body
3 names - macro, trace, and ultra-trace minerals
def Macrominerals - which ones?
> 5 grams
7 in total
-calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, chloride
def Trace Minerals - which ones?
< 5 grams
5 in total
iron, zinc, copper, manganese, fluoride
def Ultra Trace minerals - which ones?
< 1 mg
6 in total:
selenium, molybdenum, iodine, chromium, boron, cobalt
What is unique about arsenic, nickel, vanadium and silicon?
- they are Ultra Trace Minerals
- not yet proven essential or beneficial in humans
- animal studies show benefits
“phyto” is greek for..?
“plant”
def Phytochemicals (4)
- Naturally occurring chemicals in plants
- Generally non-nutritive
- Physiologically active components
- Proposed to contribute toward disease prevention
more than 900 identified and more discovered
