Module 6: Vitamins, Minerals & Electrolytes Flashcards
What are the fat soluble Vitamins?
A, D, E, K
At what rate do fat soluble vitamins metabolize? Where they stored?
Metabolized slowly
stored in fatty tissue, liver and muscle
Excreted in urine slowly
What two fat soluble vitamins can be toxic if taken in large amounts?
A and D
because they are not readily excreted or because they are stored in the body with fat
Vitamin A Is important for
Epithelial tissues, skin, eyes, hair, bone growth
Vitamin D is important for
Regulates calcium and phosphorus
necessary for Ca+ absorption
Vitamin E protects
Cellular components from being destroyed and prevents RBCs from hemolysis
Vitamin K is required for
Synthesis of prothrombin and clotting factors
Essential for blood clotting
Iron can decrease absorption of what vitamin
Vitamin E (Side effects = fatigue, nausea, G.I. upset, headache, breast tenderness. May prolong blood clotting time)
What happens if you have too much vitamin D?
Results in hypervitaminosis and can cause hypercalcemia
What could happen if you have too little Vitamin K
Can result in bleeding
Why is vitamin K given to newborns?
It’s from dietary green leafy vegetables. Also produced by gut bacteria. Neonates don’t have gut bacteria
What are the water soluble vitamins?
Vitamin B 12, B complex, Vitamin C, folic acid
Not stored in the body, readily excreted by urine
What is vitamin B 12 essential for?
- Helps in the formation of RBCs
- Maintenance of the CNS – keeps nerves working properly
- Essential for DNA synthesis
(Relies on gastric cells to be absorbed [ileum])
What is pernicious anemia?
Deficiency in production of RBCs through a lack of vitamin B 12
What are the benefits of vitamin C ?
- Necessary for normal growth and development
- is it absorption of iron
- Helps boost immune system
What is folic acid essential for?
- Needed for DNA synthesis
- Essential for CNS development of a fetus
- Aids in the production of RBCs
What are the reasons for folic acid deficiency?
Alcoholism, poor nutritional intake, malabsorption, pregnancy
What are the 5 main minerals/electrolytes the human body needs to function?
Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron
Sodium is a major component of… And it’s important in…
Major component of blood vessels and tissue spaces.
Important in nerve conduction, neuromuscular function and glandular secretion
Potassium transmits and conducts nerve impulses to the
myocardium, skeletal and smooth muscles
What are some possible adverse affects of K+ supplementation?
Changes in cardiac rhythm, skeletal muscle irritability, damage to veins (IV)
What medications can cause hypokalemia?
K+ Wasting diuretics, laxatives, corticosteroids, antibiotics
What foods contain high amounts of potassium?
BANANAS, Citrus fruit juice, plums, oranges, cantaloupes, raisins, vegetables, nuts
What are some side effects of K+ supplementation?
G.I upset, diarrhea
What is the function of calcium?
- Promotes nerve and muscle activity
- Increases contraction of the heart muscle
- promotes Blood clotting
- Needed for formation of bones and teeth
What are some functions of magnesium?
- promotes transmission of neuro muscular activity
- Mediator of neural transmission in CNS
- Contraction of the myocardium
What is iron vital for? What is the most common side effect?
Hgb (hemoglobin) Regeneration
- Constipation
What vitamin is given with calcium to enhance absorption?
Vitamin D
