Introductiob to Nutrition Part 2 Flashcards
What are the functions of minerals?
Major structural components - calcium (bones)
Control of body fluid composition
Metabolism regulation through enzyme function
Nerve and muscle conduction
What are minerals two major groupings on their concentrations in the diet?
Major or macro minerals
Trace elements or micro minerals
What are the 5 macro minerals (major) used in growth and repair and make up most of the skeletal and tooth structure?
Calcium Magnesium Potassium (outside of cells) Sodium Phosphorus
What is the purpose of calcium?
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
What 2 other important functions is calcium involved in?
Blood clotting
Transmission of nerve impulses
What is the purpose of Phosphorus?
Many enzyme systems
Storage and transfer of energy in the body
What is the purpose of Potassium?
Found in high concentrations within cells Required for; - nerve transmission - fluid balance - muscle metabolism
Too much potassium = heart to stop
What is the purpose of Sodium?
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)
What is the purpose of Magnesium?
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
What is FLUTD?
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Treat with food;
C/d - Hills
S/d - Hills
Low pH - Royal Canin
What are micro minerals?
AKA trace elements
Required in small quantities
Name the 5 trace elements
Iron - utilisation Zinc - digestive enzymes Iodine - thyroid hormone production Copper - haemoglobin synthesis Manganese - carb and fat metabolism
What are the 2 categories vitamins are divided into?
Water soluble
Fat soluble
Name the water solubles
Vitamin c
Vitamin b
Name the fat solubles
Vitamins; D E K A
What do fat solubles require?
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
What are water solubles?
Become dissolved in water and are not stored by the body, excreted in urine
Need a daily supply of these in diet
What is vitamin A?
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
What is Vitamin D?
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
What is vitamin E?
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
What is vitamin k?
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
What is vitamin b?
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)
What is vitamin c?
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
