Lecture 16 Flashcards
What factors affect bioavailability?
- Efficiency of digestion/transit time
- Previous nutrient intake and nutritional status
- Other foods consumed simultaneously
- Food preparation method
- Source of nutrient - synthetic or natural
- Health status
What does fat malabsorption limit?
Ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins
What food preparation methods should we avoid?
Cooking to high temperatures and cooking in water
Out of natural and supplement folate, which is more bioavailable?
Folate in supplement (monoglutmate) is more bioavailable than natural sources (polyglutamate).
When does most of the nervous system develop?
Within 4-8 weeks of pregnancy
What are the MoH guidelines for folic acid in pregnancy?
- 800 micrograms per day 4 weeks prior to 12 weeks
- 5000 micrograms per day previous history
Who needs vitamin and mineral supplements?
People who have:
- poor nutrient intake (elderly, dieters, adolescents)
- Increased nutrient requirements (children, pregnancy, lactation)
- Increased metabolic demands (surgery, trauma, fracture)
- Maldigestion or malabsorption (liver disease, GI, diarrhoea)
- Drug-nutrient interactions (prednisone/vitamin D, diuretics/K,Mg)
- Medical treatment interactions (chemo/radiation)
What causes deficiency of folate?
- Low dietary intake
- less intestinal absorption
- Anticonvulsant drug and some lipid lowering drugs
- Folate antagonists - methotrexate
- High alcohol intake - leading to decreased absorption, increased catabolism, often accompanied by poor diet
- Pregnancy
What are vitamins?
Organic molecules that function in a wide variety of capacities within the body.
What is the most prominent function of vitamins?
As cofactors for enzymatic reactions
What are the properties of the water-soluble vitamins?
- Absorbed directly into the blood
- Travel freely
- Circulate freely in water-filled parts of the body
- Kidneys detect and remove excess in urine
- Possible to reach toxic amounts when consumed from supplements
- Needed in frequent doses (1-3 days)
List the water-soluble vitamins
- Vitamin C
- B vitamins
What are the alternative names for vitamin B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12
B1: Thiamine B2: Riboflavin B3: Niacin B5: Pantothenic acid B6: Pyroxidine B7: Biotin B9: Folate B12: Cobalamin
What is the active form of vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid
What are the major functions of vitamin C?
Connective tissue synthesis
Hormone synthesis
Neurotransmitter synthesis
Anti-oxidant
What is the primary deficiency of vitamin C? Describe its symptoms
Scurvy: poor wound healing, bleeding gums, haemorrhages
What are the common food sources of vitamin C?
Citrus fruits, strawberries, dark green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, tropical fruits
What is the active form of thiamine?
Thiamine pyrophosphate
What is the major function of thiamine?
Coenzyme of carb metabolism.
- Oxidative decarboxylations
- Transketolases (Pentose Phosphate Pathway)
What are the primary deficiencies of thiamine?
Wet and dry Beriberi
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Describe wet beriberi
Oedema, lung congestion, increased heart rate, congestive heart failure
Describe dry beriberi
Wasting, neuropathy (tingling or loss of sensation), pain, brain damage
What is the main cause of thiamine deficiency in the Western World?
Alcoholism
What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy related to? What are the symptoms?
Related to thiamine deficiency. Alcohol related brain damage. Language problems, walking difficulty, unusual eye movemnt
What is Korsakoff syndrome related to? What are the symptoms?
Related to thiamine deficiency. Anaemia, inability to learn, confabulation
Where are thiamine deficiencies seen in elevated levels?
In countries with heavy reliance on refined grains
What are the common food sources of thiamine?
Whole grain cereals, fortified cereals, pork, sunflower seeds, legumes
What is the active form of riboflavin?
FMN FAD
What is the major function of riboflavin?
- Coenzyme of carb metabolism
What are the primary deficiencies of riboflavin?
- Inflammation of mouth and tongue - ariboflavinosis, cracks at corner of mouth, eye disorders