MET 2 Micronutrients

Question 1

Vitamin A

Answer 1

sources - fish, liver, fruit and veg
fat soluble

700-900mg/d Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)

Infection, measles, protein-energy malnutrition contribute to deficiency

Clinical features: xeropthalmia

Question 2

Vitamin D

Answer 2

sources - Orange juice, dairy products
fat soluble

5-15mg/d RDA

Aging, lack of sunlight contribute to deficiency

Clinical features: Rickets, osteomalacia

Question 3

Vitamin E

Answer 3

sources - Oils, meats, cereal grains
fat soluble

15mg/d RDA

Antibiotic use contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Peripheral neuropathy

Question 4

Vitamin K

Answer 4

sources - Herbs and spices, chilli
fat soluble

900-120mg/d RDA

Antibiotic use contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Coagulopathy

Question 5

Vitamin C

Answer 5

sources - fruits, green veg, tomatoes, potatoes
Non-fat soluble

75-90mg/d RDA

Smoking contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Scurvy

Question 6

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Answer 6

sources - pork
Non-fat soluble

1.1-1.2mg/d RDA

Alcohol dependency causes excessive use of B1
B6, B12, folate contribute to deficiency

Clinical features: Berri, Beri, Wernicke-Korsakoff’s Syndrome

Question 7

Vitamin B2

Answer 7

sources - bread and cereals, eggs and broccoli
Non-fat soluble

1.1-1.3mg/d RDA

Malabsorption contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Angular Stomatits

Question 8

Vitamin B3

Answer 8

sources - beans, milk, meat, eggs
Non-fat soluble

14-16 mg/d RDA

Clinical features: Pellagra

Question 9

Vitamin B6

Answer 9

sources - tuna, poultry, bananas, avocado
Non-fat soluble

1.3-1.7mg/d RDA

Isoniazid use (TB antibiotic) contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Neuropathy, anaemia

Question 10

Biotin

Answer 10

sources - liver, soy beans, yeast, egg yolk

Non-fat soluble

Question 11

B12

Answer 11

sources - meat and dairy food
Non-fat soluble

2.4mg/d RDA

Vegans have decreased B12 intake
Ileal disease/resection, intestinal bacterial overgrowth reduces absorption
Gastric atrophy (pernicious anaemia) contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Anaemia, neurological disorders

Question 12

folate (B9)

Answer 12

sources - fruits and veg
Non-fat soluble

400mg/d RDA

Small Bowel Disease leads to inability to absorb folate
Anorexics and elderly with poor diets have impacted folate intake
Sulfasalazine, pyrimethamine (antiparasitic) contributes to deficiency

Clinical features: Anaemia, depression

Question 13

Calcium

Answer 13

Source - Dairy

Function - Mechanical stability of the skeleton

Deficiency - Osteoporosis, paresthesias muscle spasms

Question 14

Phosphorus

Answer 14

Source - Seeds, nuts, soya

Function - Structures proteins, enzymes, transcription factors, ATP/nucleic acids

Deficiency - Bone pain, pseudofracture (thickening of bone periosteum), proximal muscle weakness, rickets.

Question 15

Iron

Answer 15

Source - Red meat, dark vegetables

Function - Part of the heme protein and enzymes

Deficiency - Anaemia, impaired cognitive development

Question 16

Selenium

Answer 16

Source - Seafood, red meat, cereal

Function - Component of glutathione peroxidase and deiodinase enzymes.

Deficiency - Cardiomyopathy

Question 17

Zinc

Answer 17

Source - Meat, nuts, shellfish

Function - Synthesis/stabilization of protein, DNA, RNA, normal spermatogenesis, fetal growth, embryonic development

Deficiency - Growth Retardation, Dermatitis, Diarrhoea

Question 18

Copper

Answer 18

Source - Shellfish, liver, nuts, bran

Function - Part of numerous enzymes for iron metabolism: melanin, elastin and collagen synthesis, CNS function.

Deficiency - Growth Retardation