1 - Introduction and Genes, Nutrition and Disease Risk Flashcards
Give 4 of Essential minerals and 3 Trace elements
> Essential - Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, Fluorine
Trace - Copper, Chromium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Iodine
What is a primary or secondary deficiency?
Primary - Lack of the nutrient in the diet
Secondary - another disease process limiting the amount of nutrient available to the body
What are uncoupling proteins, where are they found and what to they do?
Give an example of a SNP associated with UCP’s
Found within the inner mitochondrial membrane and they uncouple mitochondrial respiration from ATP generation. Therefore higher levels of uncoupling protein expression cause lower ATP generation from the same energy intake.
866GA polymorphism of UCP2 -> GG variant = 40% more likely to be obese in a middle aged population
What is perilipin and how does it relate to obesity?
It is a protein that coats lipid droplets in adipocytes.
Obese subjects overexpress this protein -> their lipid stores are resistant to lipolysis, causing them to resist loosing fat.
13041AG and 14995AT genes are linked to obesity risk - the A allele is linked to greater obesity, G allele = less likely
What is Apolipoprotein E and how does it relate to cardiovascular disease?
> Found in VLDL (bad). >Several SNP’s which give rise to different isoforms of the protein.
3 basic alleles E2, E3 and E4
The E4 allele has been associated with CVD
Homozygosity for E4 = 42% greater risk of atherosclerosis and take higher benefit from reduction in sat fat and cholesterol.
How do nutrients regulate gene expression?
- Epigenetic modification
- Interaction with transcription factors e.g. nuclear receptors e.g. steroid, thyroid, vitamin D receptors
What are organic nutrients (and examples)
Contain carbon
e.g. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins
What are inorganic nutrients
nutrients that do not contain carbon: e.g. minerals/water
What are essential nutrients?
nutrients that
cannot be synthesized at all or in sufficient amounts in the body and are necessary for growth and tissue repairs.
What is the definition of 1Kcal
Energy required to raise the temperature of
1g of water by 1 degree
What are the components of total energy expenditure?
1) Basal metabolic rate (50%-75%)
2) Physical activity (20%-40%
3) Dietary induced thermogenesis (10%)
Give some situations other than BMR, exercise and thermogenesis that will increase energy expenditure
Growth, pregnancy, lactation, injury, fever e.c.t
How many kJ in 1 kcal?
4.184 kJ = 1kcal
What are the energy values of proteins, alcohol, carbohydrates and lipids per gram?
carb and protein = 4kcal/g
alcohol = 7kcal/g
Lipids = 9kcal/g
What are the genetic components that either result in susceptibility genes or protective genes?
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
