Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals Flashcards
What are micronutrients?
Micronutrients are needed in the body in smaller amounts, need to by supplied by food as body cannot make them
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
A, D, E, K
State two sources of vitamin A
- Carrots
- Liver
State two functions of vitamin A
- Makes visual purple
- Maintenance of healthy skin
What happens if you don’t have enough vitamin A?
Vision reduced in dim light.
Dry and infected skin.
What happens if you have too much vitamin A?
During pregnancy too much vitamin A can be harmful for developing foetus.
State two sources of vitamin D
- Oily fish
- Sunshine
State two functions of vitamin D
- Required for formations of bones and teeth
- Required for the essential link between calcium and phosphorous
What happens if you have too much vitamin D?
Is rare but can lead to deposits of calcium in the blood
What happens if you have not enough of vitamin D?
Poor growth and risk of rickets in children.
Osteoporosis in elderly.
State two sources of vitamin E
- Nuts
- Seeds
State two functions of vitamin E
- Required for healthy skin
- Antioxidant vitamin which fights off free radicals
What happens if you have a deficiency in vitamin E?
Premature babies may be placed in special care where they receive vitamin E to prevent damage to their eyes.
Dry and infected skin.
State two sources of vitamin K
- Vegetable oils
- Green leafy veg
What are two functions of vitamin K?
- Helps blood clot
- Help wounds heal
What happens if you have not enough vitamin K?
Blood won’t clot.
What are the water soluble vitamins?
Vitamins B Complex, B12, Folic acid and C
What is vitamin B called as there are too many categories of it?
Vitamin B complex
Two functions of vitamin B complex?
- Required for growth in children
- Releases energy from carbohydrates
Name two sources of vitamin B complex
- Wholemeal bread
- Fortified cereals
What happens if the balance of vitamin b complex is not correct?
Tiredness, weakness
What are two functions of vitamin B12?
- Required to keep nerves healthy
- Makes red blood cells