19 Vitamin Deficiency and Management Flashcards
what is nutrition needed for
growth and maintenance of body systems
to provide the energy we need to stay alive, keep warm and be active
what can lack of vitamins lead to
numerous diseases or organ damage
do your nutritional needs change depending on your stage of life
yes, eg infants needing different nutrients to adults
do children have higher nutritional requirements than adults
yes
vulnerable groups (nutrition related)
- children
- women
- elderly
- certain ethnicities
what is underweight defined as
more than 2 st deviations below the reference mean
what does growth failure in children cause
- delayed cognition, motor and behaviour development
- reduced capacity of immune system
common deficiencies in children
- fibre
- folate
- iron
- vit D
what are vitamins
organic substances needed in very small amounts to maintain essential physiological functions
what are the fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E, K
what are the water soluble vitamins
C, B1-3, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid
what is the recommended daily amount
the min amount sufficient to maintain essential functions and optimum health
average requirements are on label
role of vitamins
- enzyme reactions
- hormones production
- synthesis of functional and structural components
can excess intake of vitamins cause harm
yes
what vitamins are more likely to cause harm
fat soluble vitamins
why are fat soluble vitamins more likely to cause harm
they’re stored in tissues so easily get toxicity if taken as extra supplements
are water soluble vitamins toxic in excess amounts
not usually as excess amounts are excreted in the urine
what are minerals
nutrients that our body needs but can’t make
only available from diet
what are the major minerals
- calcium
- iron
- magnesium
- potassium
- sodium
what is an antioxidant
a substance which delays or prevents oxidation
what do antioxidants do
protect from harmful effects of unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals
what do free radicals do
overtime can damage body cell membranes, proteins and DNA
what do probiotics do
- aid digestion
- improve bowel movement
- prevent harmful bacteria multiplying in the intestine
what do fish oils do
- reduce inflammation
- alter lipid metabolism
- prevent thrombosis
- inhibit atherosclerosis
