Introductiob to Nutrition Part 2

Question 1

What are the functions of minerals?

Answer 1

Major structural components - calcium (bones)
Control of body fluid composition
Metabolism regulation through enzyme function
Nerve and muscle conduction

Question 2

What are minerals two major groupings on their concentrations in the diet?

Answer 2

Major or macro minerals

Trace elements or micro minerals

Question 3

What are the 5 macro minerals (major) used in growth and repair and make up most of the skeletal and tooth structure?

Answer 3

Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium (outside of cells)
Sodium 
Phosphorus

Question 4

What is the purpose of calcium?

Answer 4

Major minerals involved in the structural rigidity of bones and teeth
Ratio of calcium to phosphorus extremely important 1:2:1
Imbalance where calcium is less than phosphorus leads to marked deficiency of calcium for bone formation
High ratio is also harmful
Metabolism closely linked with Vitamin D

Question 5

What 2 other important functions is calcium involved in?

Answer 5

Blood clotting

Transmission of nerve impulses

Question 6

What is the purpose of Phosphorus?

Answer 6

Many enzyme systems

Storage and transfer of energy in the body

Question 7

What is the purpose of Potassium?

Answer 7

Found in high concentrations within cells 
Required for;
- nerve transmission
- fluid balance
- muscle metabolism

Too much potassium = heart to stop

Question 8

What is the purpose of Sodium?

Answer 8

Occurs mainly in extracellular fluids
Important for normal physiological function
With Chloride represent the major electrolytes of body water
Common salt NaCl most usual form of these two minerals

Dehydrated animal = put them on NaCl drip (salt)

Question 9

What is the purpose of Magnesium?

Answer 9

Found in soft tissues of the body as well as bone
Heart, skeletal muscle and nervous tissue depend on a proper balance between Ca and Mg for normal function
Deficiency characterised by muscle weakness
Important in bone and teeth development
High intakes in cats are associated with FLUTD
The high Mg can lead to formulation of uroliths, therefore a cat with a hx of FLUTD should have a diet low in Mg

Question 10

What is FLUTD?

Answer 10

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Treat with food;
C/d - Hills
S/d - Hills
Low pH - Royal Canin

Question 11

What are micro minerals?

Answer 11

AKA trace elements

Required in small quantities

Question 12

Name the 5 trace elements

Answer 12

Iron - utilisation
Zinc - digestive enzymes
Iodine - thyroid hormone production 
Copper - haemoglobin synthesis
Manganese - carb and fat metabolism

Question 13

What are the 2 categories vitamins are divided into?

Answer 13

Water soluble

Fat soluble

Question 14

Name the water solubles

Answer 14

Vitamin c

Vitamin b

Question 15

Name the fat solubles

Answer 15

Vitamins;
D
E
K
A

Question 16

What do fat solubles require?

Answer 16

Require fat for their absorption, utilisation and storage

Unused fat soluble vitamins are not excreted but remain in storage and can lead to hypervitaminosis if over fed

Question 17

What are water solubles?

Answer 17

Become dissolved in water and are not stored by the body, excreted in urine

Need a daily supply of these in diet

Question 18

What is vitamin A?

Answer 18

Found in animal tissue only
Main function: vision
Regulation of cell membranes 
Growth of bones and teeth
Essential for integrating and normal growth of epithelial cells
Vitamin A is found in;
Fats
Oils
Egg yolks
Cereal grain germ 
Cats are unable to convert B caratone into vitamin A therefore Vit A is found in animal tissue
Must be supplied with it already formed in animal tissues

Question 19

What is Vitamin D?

Answer 19

Found in;
Sunlight
Fish
Meat
Eggs
Goes through liver and kidney before it becomes physiologically active
Function;
Raises plasma calcium and phosphorus levels to those required for the normal mineralization of bone 

Closely linked to dietary concentrations f Ca and P

Important during growth and development of bone

Question 20

What is vitamin E?

Answer 20

Found in;
Nuts
Leafy greens
Fish 
Seeds

Antioxidant and cell function and healing wounds

Excessive Vit E isn’t a problem as no known toxicity

Too little Vit E can cause cell damage, effect; heart, muscle, liver, nerves, reproductive

Prevents foetal reabsorption

Question 21

What is vitamin k?

Answer 21

Anticoagulant 
Used to treat rat poison 
Found in;
Vegetables - dark leafy greens
Eggs
Liver
Oils

Involved in blood clotting

Most mammals obtain most of daily requirement from bacteria synthesis in the intestine

If a patient t is poisoned with rat poisoning, make it vomit, vitamin k drug (give lots) and put on drip

Question 22

What is vitamin b?

Answer 22

B complex group
Nearly all involved with utilisation of foods and production or conversion of energy in the body
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Pantothenic
Niacin
Pyridoxine
Biotin
Folic acid - helps with foetal development
Choline

Foods that can cause vitamin b deficiency;
Raw fish (in copius amounts)
Raw egg white (in copius amounts)

Question 23

What is vitamin c?

Answer 23

Found in dark leafy greens and citrus fruits
Absorbic acid
Majority of animals can synthesise vitamin c from glucose
Exceptions include;
Guinea pigs
Apes
Variety fish

Scurvy is a result of vitamin E deficiency
Deficiencies will lead to swollen joints, difficult walking, non healing wounds and anorexia

Important for bone, tissue and collagen formation