Micronutrients Flashcards
Vitamin function
precursor of enzyme cofactors, anti-oxidants
Trace element function
enzyme cofactors, components of hormones/proteins, redox reactions
What is niacin?
vitamin B3
biochemical use of niacin
precursor of nicotinamide
part of coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+
50% synthesised in the body from tryptophan
Niacin deficiency
pellagra
dermatitis, diarrhoea, delirium
Niacin consumed from
avocado, mushrooms, peanuts, sunflower seeds, tuna
Niacin functions
energy production, psychological functions, skin maintenance, DNA repair
Niacin requirements
16 mg/day men
14 mg/day women
What is riboflavin?
vitamin B2
biochemical use of riboflavin
precursor of FAD and FMN
used in MAO, ETC, succinate dehydrogenase
riboflavin deficiency
relatively minor consequences
angular stomatitis, cherilosis, anaemia, might affect vision
absorption of riboflavin
actively, through sodium dependent mechanisms
free riboflavin taken into erythrocytes
riboflavin consumed from
almonds, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, broccoli
functions of riboflavin
energy production, fat and protein metabolism, normal vision, antioxidant
riboflavin requirements
1.3mg/day for men, 1.1 mg/day for women
what is pyridoxine?
vitamin b6
biochemical function of pyridoxine
component of pyridoxal phosphate, a coenzyme important to the metabolism of aa or substrates containing nitrogen
synthesis of neurotransmitters, GABA, seratonin, dopamine, adrenaline, haeme
pyridoxine deficiency
seizures
anaemia
pyridoxine consumed from
sunflower seeds, tuna, banana, avocado, spinach
pyridoxine daily requirement
1.3 mg/day for men, 1.1 mg/day women
pyridoxine functions
brain development, body clock regulation, haemoglobin synthesis, antibody production
what is thiamine?
vitamin b1
biochemical function of thiamine
precursor of thiamine pyrophosphate, cofactor in alpha ketoacid dehydrogenase
thiamine consumed from
wholewheat bread, brown rice, peas, pine puts, pork, eggs
thiamine requirements
1.2-2.1 mg/day
thiamine functions
brain functions, muscle growth, bone growth, supports the muscle tone fo the digestive tract
thiamine deficiency
beriberi
swelling of hands/legs, weight loss, depression, nausea, diarrhoea
what is cobalamin?
vitamin b12
deficiency of cobalamin
pernicious anaemia
numbness in peripheral nerves
high levels of odd chain FA in tissues
cobalamin biochemical functions
required for healthy nerve tissue, brain function and red blood cell production
cofactor in DNA synthesis, fatty acid and aa metabolism
foods with cobalamin
beef, liver, fish, meat, dairy, breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin b12
what is folate (folic acid)
vitamin b9
biochemical function
one carbon transfer, eg. in purine and pyrimidine synthesis
folate consumed from
lentils, spinach, asparagus, papaya, avocado
can’t be made by the body
folate functions
proper brain function, DNA and RNA repair, blood cells production, healthy foetal development
folate deficiency
uncommon, most likely to get secondary to pregnancy
can cause haemolytic anaemia
uses of folate
chemotherapeutic agents, anti-cancer therapy, antibiotics and anti-malaria treatments
folate and pregnancy
taken pre conception to decrease risk of neural tube defects
taken late in pregnancy prevents megaloblastic anaemia
daily requirement
400 mcg/day
