Health & Nutrition

Question 1

What is the difference between vitamins and minerals, and what are some common minerals required for human nutrition?

Answer 1

Vitamins are organic nutrients, meaning that they contain carbon (an element found in all living things). Minerals are pure inorganic elements.

Some common minerals in food include:

• calcium
• iron
• magnesium
• potassium
• zinc

Question 2

Which mineral promotes bone density and is commonly found in dairy products, seaweeds, almonds, sesame, quinoa, spinach, and okra?

Answer 2

calcium

Question 3

What is a calorie?

Answer 3

A unit of energy equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a gram of water 1 degree Celsius.

Question 4

Which organic compound is easy to digest and is common in breads, pastas, potatoes, and rice?

Answer 4

carbohydrates

Question 5

What sugar substitute is found in many processed foods like sodas, salad dressings, and candy?

Answer 5

high fructose corn syrup

Overconsumption of high fructose corn syrup may cause obesity and diabetes.

Question 6

What compound helps in the digestion of foods, the production of vitamin D and hormones, and can be found in eggs, cheese, shrimp, beef, pork, and poultry?

Answer 6

cholesterol

Question 7

What mineral conducts oxygen transfer in the form of hemoglobin and can be found in lentils, red meat, poultry, beans, leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, and tofu

Answer 7

iron

Question 8

What mineral is important to neural functioning and can be found in tomatoes, potatoes, and oranges?

Answer 8

potassium

Question 9

What compound helps generate energy and build muscle, and is naturally found in meats, legumes, nuts, grains, and eggs?

Answer 9

protein

Question 10

What molecule is recommended in small amounts by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association, and can be found in dairy products, meat products, coconut oil, and chocolate?

Answer 10

saturated fat

Question 11

What mineral is used for taste and food preservation, but can contribute to high blood pressure if consumed in excessive amounts?

Answer 11

sodium

Question 12

Which vitamin combats night-blindness and keratomalacia (dry cornea) and can be found in dairy products, eggs, poultry, liver, and fish?

Answer 12

vitamin A

Question 13

Which class of water-soluble vitamins plays an important role in cell metabolism and is divided into 8 chemically distinct vitamins?

Answer 13

Vitamin B Complex

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal)
• Vitamin B7 (biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Question 14

Which vitamin combats scurvy and can be found in fruits and vegetables?

Answer 14

vitamin C

Question 15

Which vitamin combats rickets and osteomalacia (soft bones) and can be found in fish, liver, and dairy products (also produced through sunlight hitting the skin)?

Answer 15

vitamin D

Question 16

Which vitamin combats hemolytic anemia and can be found in nuts, grains, and sesame seeds?

Answer 16

vitamin E

Question 17

Which vitamin combats bleeding diathesis and is produced by intestinal bacteria?

Answer 17

vitamin K

Question 18

Which mineral acts as a catalyst in enzymatic reactions and can be found in lamb, beef, and liver?

Answer 18

zinc

Question 19

What is a normal resting adult heart rate?

Answer 19

60-100 beats per minute (bpm)

An adult’s heart rate may fall below this range when sleeping, and may rise above this range when exercising or experiencing extreme stress.

Question 20

_____ _____ _____ is one’s optimal heart rate when exercising.

Answer 20

Target heart rate

A heart rate below this target level indicates a workout that is not strenuous enough; a heart rate above this indicates a workout that is overly stressful on the body.

One’s target heart rate depends on age and resting heart rate. For example, a person in their early 30s has a target heart rate of between 95-162 beats per minute.

Question 21

What is a healthy blood pressure and how is blood pressure measured?

Answer 21

A systolic blood pressure less than 120 is normal; 120-139 indicates prehypertension, and 140 and above indicates high blood pressure.

A diastolic blood pressure less than 80 is normal; 80-89 indicates prehypertension, and 90 and above indicates high blood pressure.

• Two numbers make up a blood pressure reading; they are typically reported as a top and bottom number.
• The top number, or systolic blood pressure, measures pressure on the arteries.
• The bottom number, or diastolic blood pressure, measures pressure on the arteries between heartbeats.

Question 22

_____ exercise is cardiovascular in nature and strengthens endurance, whereas _____ exercise strenghthens muscles.

Answer 22

Aerobic; anaerobic

Aerobic exercises include jogging and biking. Anaerobic exercises include weightlifting and and sit-ups.

Question 23

_____ _____ _____ is the rate of energy loss (calories burned) when resting.

Answer 23

Basal metabolic rate

Your body burns calories while breathing and performing necessary bodily functions, such as thinking and digesting.

Question 24

_____ _____ _____ is dependent upon height and weight, and is used as a measure of body fat.

Answer 24

Body mass index

Body mass index (BMI) is broken up into 4 categories:

• Underweight = less than 18.5
• Normal weight = 18.5 - 24.9
• Overweight = 25 - 29.9
• Obesity = 30+

Question 25

_____ is the rate at which the body converts food into energy.

Answer 25

Metabolism

Metabolism is influenced by diet, exercise, and sleep. For the most part, the idea of “fast” and “slow” metabolism is a myth, as metabolism can fluctuate with age and lifestyle choices.

Question 26

What is the chemical that is added to many processed foods to enhance flavor?

Answer 26

MSG (monosodium glutamate)

Some people have reported reactions to MSG such as headaches, sweating, and nausea, although researchers classify it as “generally recognized as safe.”

Question 27

What are antioxidants?

Answer 27

Antioxidants are molecules that prevent the oxidation of other molecules, thereby protecting against free radicals (compounds which cause cellular mutation and lead to cancer).

Antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables, sesame seeds, and in many other healthy foods.