NUTR 14 Blood Health Flashcards
What is in blood?
Plasma (55%) (water with electrolytes)
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
White blood cells
(less than 1 %)
What does blood do?
Transport oxygen, nutrients
Remove waste
carries platelets for clotting
carries white blood cells (immune system)
What is unhealthy blood”?
Doesn’t transport oxygen or nutrients because of problems with red blood cells
What are red blood cells?
Contain hemoglobin
hemoglobin binds oxygen, delivers it to cells
too few RBC- anemia
What is iron?
A trace mineral Part of hemoglobin - oxygen carrying proteins Part of myglobin - carry oxygen into muscle cells
Where do we find heme iron in the diet?
Heme iron - animal based foods - absorbed it the best
Where do we find non heme iron?
beans, lentils, grains
iron added to flour and breakfast cereals
What is the RDA for women and men
Women (19-50) need more iron than men
How do we get the most out of non-heme iron?
Vitamin C
Meat (meat protein factor)
Gastric acid (Fe 3+) to (Fe 2+)
What things inhibit absorption of non heme iron?
Calcium
Phytates
Tannins
Soy bean protein
How do calcium and phytates inhibit absorption of iron?
By binding to iron and make it harder for us to absorb
How much iron do we absorb from a mixed diet?
18 %
How much iron do we absorb from a vegan diet?
10 %
What does iron do in hemoglobin?
Iron binds oxygen molecules to hemoglobin
What picture can you use to visualize iron and heme group?
heme group is the nest and the iron is the nest
What does iron have to do with hemoglobin?
Your body can’t make hemoglobin without iron and you can’t transport oxygen without iron
What does zinc do in creating hemoglobin?
Zinc is a cofactor in an enzyme needed to create hemoglobin
What is a myoglobin?
a red protein containing heme that carries and stores oxygen in muscle cells. It is structurally similar to a subunit of hemoglobin.
What does iron do in myoglobin?
Oxygen in myoglobin transports oxygen in muscles
Found in enzymes that are needed to metabolize energy from CHO, fat and protein
Need in cytochromes in the ETC
Why do women need more iron?
Because of menstruation
Why do pregnant women need more iron?
Making the cells of the baby
Making more blood cells requires more iron
From what place do we lose iron first?
Iron stores and iron in plasma and then iron in RBC
What are the stages of low iron?
Stage 1: Low iron stores - low ferritin (iron storage protein) levels Stage 2: low iron transport - low transferrin proteins levels Stage 3: low hemoglobin levels -iron deficiency anemia
What are the symptoms of not getting enough iron?
Fatigue, weakness, headache, unmotivated, lethargic Decreased mental capacity decreased resistance to infections high maternal mortality Pica (appetite for non food substances)
