Exam 2: Vitamins Flashcards
Vitamins were first discovered while
Searching for cures for common diseases
What happened in 1906
Found that a diet of synthetic protein, fat, and carbs killed all rats that were fed it but adding milk was enough to maintain normal growth
In 1911
A chemist found an amine that he thought might be a common characteristic of all tiny required compounds
- called it a “Vital Amine”
All Vitamins are
- Organic compounds different than Carbs, lipids, and proteins
- natural components found in food
- Essential (required for normal function)
- Specific deficiency caused by lack of adequate amounts
Vitamins are required in
Small amounts; milligram or micrograms
All vitamins function as
- Membrane stabilizers
- Proton and electron donor and acceptors
- Hormones
- Coenzymes
Diseases caused by clinical deficiency
- Pellagra
- Burning feet syndrome
- Keshan’s disease
Subclinical deficiency is associated with
Increased risk of chronic diseases
HTN, atherosclerosis, CA
Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed as
Part of micelles
What enhances fat-soluble vit. Absorption
Fat intake
Vitamins more likely to be toxic
Fat-soluble vitamins (stored in liver and adipose)
Fat soluble vitamins are transported
In lipoproteins in the lymphatic system
Water soluble vitamins are transported by
Portal vein
Vitamins that are not stored in large quantities
Water-soluble
- less likely to become toxic bc they aren’t stored
- must rely on daily intake to meet requirements
Vitamin A is a ______ vitamin
Fat-soluble
Main function of retinol
Reproduction and growth
Main function of Retinal
Vision
Main function of retinoic acid
Cell differentiation (*Most important function of vitamin A)
Preformed Vit A is found in
- Liver, fish, and added to dairy
- Retinol esters (retinol with a FA attached)
Retinol Palmitate is a ____ ______ that functions as
Retinol ester; storage form of vit A
Proformed versions of Vit A
Orange, yellow, and red colored plants
Carotenoids are found in
Plant sources; only used when we don’t get enough from preformed sources
Preformed to Proformed ratio of Vitamin A
12X as much proformed to equal preformed activity
There are _______ known carotenoids; but only ______ can be converted to ______
> 600, <10%, retinol