Chapter 11 - Fat Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Question 1

Identify functions, recommendations, general deficiency symptoms, who is at risk for deficiency, general toxicity symptoms, who is at risk for toxicity, rich food sources and non-food sources for Vitamin A

Answer 1

Functions: vision, epithelial integrity, bone remodeling, antioxidant (Beta-Carotene)
Deficiency: keratinization of epithelial cells
night blindness
can become blind (Xerophthalmia)
Toxicity: yellowish skin
bone defects if in great excess (Osteoporosis)
birth defects
Recommendations????????????????
Food Sources of Beta-Carotene: (green & orange food) carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots, spinach, dark leafy greens, broccoli

Question 2

Identify functions, recommendations, general deficiency symptoms, who is at risk for deficiency, general toxicity symptoms, who is at risk for toxicity, rich food sources and non-food sources for Vitamin D

Answer 2

Functions: calcium absorption, bone formation
plays crucial role in bone growth
Deficiency: Rickets in Children, Osteomalacia and Osteoporosis in Adults
Toxicity: Unlikely
Recommendations:
Adults 19-70: 600 IU daily
Adults 70+: 800 IU daily
Food Sources: dairy, fatty fish, and their oils
Non-food Sources: the sun

Question 3

Identify functions, recommendations, general deficiency symptoms, who is at risk for deficiency, general toxicity symptoms, who is at risk for toxicity, rich food sources and non-food sources for Vitamin E

Answer 3

Functions: Antioxidant
Deficiency: from inadequate intake is Rare
Toxicity: Rare
Recommendations: Healthy Adults: 15 milligrams
Food Sources: polyunsaturated plant oils (margarine, salad dressings, shortenings), seeds, nuts
Additional: destroyed by heat and oxygen

Question 4

Identify functions, recommendations, general deficiency symptoms, who is at risk for deficiency, general toxicity symptoms, who is at risk for toxicity, rich food sources and non-food sources for Vitamin K

Answer 4

Function: blood clotting (Coumadin - don’t overdo Vitamin K in diet & Vitamin K in newborns)
Deficiency: from dietary intake is rare
Secondary: fat malabsorption & antibiotics can kill bacteria in your gut
Toxicity: Rare
Recommendations:
Infants
0 - 6 months: 2.0 micrograms per day (mcg/day)
7 - 12 months: 2.5 mcg/day
Children
1 - 3 years: 30 mcg/day
4 - 8 years: 55 mcg/day
9 - 13 years: 60 mcg/day
Adolescents and Adults
Males and females age 14 - 18: 75 mcg/day
Males and females age 19 and older: 90 mcg/day
Food Sources: leafy green vegetables, cabbage-type vegetables, vegetable oils

Question 5

Identify 3 active forms of Vitamin A in the body. How does Beta-Carotene fit into this picture?

Answer 5

Retinol, Retinal, and Retinoic Acid
Beta-Carotene is a Vitamin A precursor and is an antioxidant
Carotenoid which is in Beta-Carotene is found in carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots, spinach, dark leafy greens, broccoli

Question 6

Describe Vitamin D synthesis and activation

Answer 6

Skin: precursor made in the liver from cholesterol, the sun hits the skin and the precursor is made into Provitamin D3, then it is made into the inactive form of Vitamin D3
Liver: Converts inactive Vitamin D3
Kidney’s Activate form of Vitamin D3

Question 7

What is Coumadin and what’s the relevance to Vitamin K?

Answer 7

Coumadin is a blood clotting agent used for people with clotting issues. Coumadin prevents the production of Vitamin K dependent clotting factors, causing clotting to occur at a much slower rate
You should aim to keep your Vitamin K intake the same as it was before the drugs

Question 8

Explain the rationale for a single dose of Vitamin K given at birth

Answer 8

All newborns are Vitamin K deficient because of the limited transfer across the placenta. They are given the Vitamin K to decrease the risk of them developing VKDB, a bleeding disorder in newborns

Question 9

What do antioxidants do for our body?

Answer 9

They are the first line of defense to keep free radicals in check