7. Micronutrients

Question 1

Define micronutrient.

Answer 1

A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms.

Question 2

Define vitamin.

Answer 2

Carbon-containing substances needed in small amounts by the body.

Essential: amount required depends on age, sex, and presence of illness.

To be a vitamin:

• body unable to make enough to maintain health
• absence leads to deficiency symptoms that can be reversed if vitamin is reintroduced in time

Question 3

Define mineral.

Answer 3

Individual chemical elements; cannot be broken down further.

Essential if:

• dietary inadequacy results in a physiological or structural abnormality
• addition to diet reinstates health

Question 4

Which vitamins are fat soluble?

Answer 4

Vitamin A, D, E, K.

Absorbed with dietary fat; anything interfering with fat absorption will impair fat soluble absorption.

Question 5

Which vitamins are water soluble?

Answer 5

B and C vitamins.

Vitamin Thiamin (B-1), Riboflavin (B-12), Niacin (B-3), Pantothenic acid (B-4), B-6, Biotin (B-7), Folate (folic acid) (B-9), B-12, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Absorbed primarily in small intestine; relatively high bioavailability; transported to liver via portal vein and distributed to body tissues.

Question 6

Which minerals are major?

Answer 6

Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sulfur.

Need greater than 100 mg/day.

Question 7

Which minerals are trace?

Answer 7

Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Iodine, Copper, Fluoride, Chromium, Manganese, Molybdenum.

Need less than 100 mg/day.

Question 8

Which minerals are ultra trace?

Answer 8

Arsenic, Boron, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium.

Trace amounts in diet, no known requirements.

Question 9

What are the functional roles of micronutrients?

Answer 9

• fluid and electrolyte balance
• bone health
• energy metabolism
• body defenses
• brain health
• blood health

Question 10

Describe Scurvy. What Vitamin helps to prevent this disease?

Answer 10

fatigue, bleeding gums, bruising, scaly skin

Vitamin C helps prevent disease

Question 11

Define Rickets. What Vitamin helps to prevent this disease?

Answer 11

Bone pain, fractures, deformities in children

Vitamin D is an effective treatment

Question 12

What are the toxicity symptoms of Vitamin A?

Answer 12

• birth defects
• bone pain and fractures
• liver toxicity
• nervous system disorders
• nausea and vomitting

Question 13

What are the toxicity symptoms of E?

Answer 13

• hemorrhage

Question 14

What are the toxicity symptoms of K?

Answer 14

Disruption of anti-clotting medications

Question 15

What are the toxicity symptoms of Thiamin (B-1)?

Answer 15

Unknown

Question 16

What are the toxicity symptoms of Vitamin D?

Answer 16

Hypercalcemia
Decreased renal function and hypercalciuria
Kidney failure
Cardiovascular system failure
Calcification of soft tissues

Question 17

What are the toxicity symptoms of Vitamin B7 (biotin)

Answer 17

Unknown

Question 18

What are the toxicity symptoms of Riboflavin (B-2)?

Answer 18

Unknown

Question 19

What are the toxicity symptoms of Niacin (B-3)?

Answer 19

• flushing and itchy skin

- GI distress (liver issues

Question 20

What are the toxicity symptoms of Pantothenic acid (B-5)?

Answer 20

• diarrhea

- GI stress

Question 21

What are the toxicity symptoms of Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Answer 21

Masks vitamin B-12 deficiency

Question 22

What are the toxicity symptoms of vitamin B-6?

Answer 22

Neurological problems

Question 23

What are the toxicity symptoms of Vitamin B12

Answer 23

Unknown

Question 24

What are the toxicity symptoms of Vitamin C

Answer 24

GI disturbances
Kidney stones
Excess iron absorption

Question 25

What are the toxicity symptoms of Choline

Answer 25

Fishy body odor Sweating Hypotension Hepatotoxicity

Question 26

What are the toxicity symptoms of Sodium

Answer 26

Hypertension | Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke

Question 27

What are the toxicity symptoms of Zinc?

Answer 27

- GI disturbances | - Loss of appetite

Question 28

What are the toxicity symptoms of selenium?

Answer 28

Hair loss and brittle nails

Question 29

What are the toxicity symptoms of potassium

Answer 29

None documented from food alone. Supplements or salt substitutes can result in hyperkalemia

Question 30

What are the toxicity symptoms of iodine?

Answer 30

- goiter | - thyroid issues

Question 31

What are toxicity symptoms of Chloride

Answer 31

Hypertension

Question 32

What are the toxicity symptoms of copper?

Answer 32

- GI distress | - liver damage

Question 33

What are the toxicity symptoms of fluoride?

Answer 33

Enamel and skeletal fluorosis

Question 34

What are the toxicity symptoms of Calacium

Answer 34

``` Kidney stones Hypercalcemia Hypercalciuria Prostate cancer Constipation Soft tissue calcification ```

Question 35

What are the toxicity symptoms of chromium?

Answer 35

Renal and hepatic dysfunction

Question 36

What are the toxicity symptoms of maganese?

Answer 36

Elevated blood concentration and neurotoxicity

Question 37

What are the toxicity symptoms of Phosphorus

Answer 37

Metastatic calcification Skeletal porosity Interference with calcium absorption

Question 38

What are the toxicity symptoms of Magnesium

Answer 38

Osmotic diarrhea

Question 39

What are the toxicity symptoms of Sulfur

Answer 39

Osmotic diarrhea

Question 40

What are the toxicity symptoms of Iron

Answer 40

GI and cardiorespiratory distress Liver and Kidney failure Death

Question 41

What vitamin can only be found in plant sources?

Answer 41

Vitamin C

Question 42

Role of Vitamin E

Answer 42

Fat-soluble --> adipose tissue and cell membrane Donates electrons and hydrogens to free radicals Formation of muscles and CNS Maintains NS and immune function

Question 43

Which vitamin can be given at birth

Answer 43

Vitamin K - injections

Question 44

What vitamin and mineral have potential benefits if taken together?

Answer 44

Vitamin C and Iron

Question 45

List B vitamins

Answer 45

``` B1 = thiamin B2 = riboflavin B3 = niacin B5 = pantothenic acid B6 = pyridoxine B7 = biotin B9 = folic acid B12 = cobalamin ```

Question 46

Difference between complex carbohydrates and simple sugars

Answer 46

``` complex = 3+ sugar molecules simple = 1-2 sugar molecules ```

Question 47

What mineral, if exposed to at a young age, can cause discoloration of teeth

Answer 47

fluoride

Question 48

Only vitamin found animal food sources

Answer 48

Vitamin B12