Dietary Supplements: Decision Making

Question 1

recommended folic acid amount for females who may become pregnant

Answer 1

• 400 ug but less than 1000 ug

- women who had previously had a pregnancy with a NTD should use high-dose folate supplement

Question 2

symptoms of folate deficiency

Answer 2

• anemia
• homocysteinemia
• NTD

Question 3

symptoms of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency

Answer 3

• severe deficiency slows growth and damages cerebral and peripheral neurons
• signs include confusion, cheilosis, depression, microcytic anemia, and glossitis

Question 4

symptoms of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency

Answer 4

• anemia
• homocysteinemia
• impaired neural tube development in fetus
• neuropathy
• depression, confusion, dementia

Question 5

functions of antioxidants

Answer 5

• quench free radicals

- reduce cellular damage that can to cancer or heart disease

Question 6

major antioxidants

Answer 6

• vitamin E and C
• beta carotene
• selenium

Question 7

symptoms of vitamin C deficiency

Answer 7

• scurvy
• poor wound healing
• bleeding of gums
• perifollicular petechiae
• cork-screw body hair
• fatigue, pain, death