Nutrition Flashcards
what are the different nutrients
Proteins, carbohydrates (include sugars), lipids/fats, vitamins, minerals, water and nucleic acids
what are proteins made of
amino acids
what are proteins needed for
for protein synthesis and energy (muscle and enzymes) and in defense against disease such as antibodies
what is the deficiency of protein
poor growth, muscle breakdown and eventual death
sources of protein
meat, fish, eggs, legumes and pulses
what are carbohydrates for
for energy (poly for long, di for short)
example of a polysaccharide
starch
example of a disaccharide
sucrose
sources of carbohydrates
vegetable sources like wheat and potatoes
what are lipids made of
triglycerides are made of glycerol and fatty acids. carbs and lipids are made from C, H, O
what are lipids for
energy store and provide insulation
sources of lipids
meat and animal food. Directly or excess carbs are converted by the body into fat
what are the different types of lipids
saturated and unsaturated
examples of saturated lipids
animal fats like butter and lard
different unsaturated lipids
cis and trans
examples of cis
vegetable oil
examples of trans
fried oils
what do the type of lipids cause
cardiovascular diseases- saturated but especially trans fats get converted (for transport) into LDL (low density lipoproteins). They are sticky and can build up plaques in smaller blood vessels. CIS fats are concentrated into HDL which do not cause plaques
what are vitamins
organic molecules usually coenzymes and can also be used as precursors to vital molecule production
fat soluble vitamins
vitamin D and Vitamin A
what is Vitamin D
needs to be combined with Ca and UV light to be used in bone mineralization
What is Vitamin D deficiency
rickets- bones are soft and may bend because vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption
sources of vitamin D
dairy products
What is Vitamin A for
for retina function (converts light into electrical signals when enter your eye)
Deficiency of Vitamin A
night blindness and severe deficiency contributes to blindness by making the cornea very dry
sources of vitamin A
carrots and oils
water soluble vitamins
Vitamin C and Vitamin B
what is vitamin C for
associated with the immune system, allows healthy skin/ collagen
Deficiency of vitamin C
scurvy- production of collagen fibres in the body is affected
Sources of vitamin C
citrus or leafy greens
what is Vitamin B for
important in neurological health
deficiency of vitamin B
cause neurological breakdown
sources of vitamin B
meats or fish
what are minerals
non-organic ions or molecules that help enzymes or other processes
examples of minerals
Na- nervous system
Mg- a coenzyme
K- nervous system
Ca- bones and muscle contraction
Fe- haemoglobin/ O2 transport
iron deficiency
anaemia- shortage of haemoglobin causes weakness as oxygen needed for respiration cannot be transported efficiently
sources of iron
red meat and liver
calcium deficiency
weak bones and teeth, poor clotting of blood, spasms
calcium sources
milk, cheese and fish
what is water for
water needs as the solvent for transport and chemical reactions in cells
what is scurvy
vitamin C deficiency. It causes impaired immune system and weak gums/ bleeding gums
what are rickets
vitamin D deficiency. It causes bow-legged and is a children disease
what is spina-bifida
It is insufficient folic acid whilst pregnant and spinal cord is exposed in baby
what is osteoporosis
lack of vit D and calcium. bones become more porous and break easily and is associated with menopause
what is atherosclerosis
build- up of plaque in arteries . The blockage can also be caused by fibrous tissue and is associated with obesity
what is kwashiorkor
insufficient nutrient diversity, proteins. You eat only 1 thing (carbs) and are skinny with swollen bellies
what is marasmus
overall nutrition- lacking in all nutrients and are super skinny
what is arthritis
normally an autoimmune condition and joints are swollen and hurt. This is because the cartilage in joins is destroyed
what is high blood pressure
too much salt in the diet. It causes water to be drawn into blood, blood pressure rise which damages blood vessels including those in brain
what is constipation and bowel cancer
too little fiber. Faeces are not passed as regularly as they should be. Bacteria can work on some of the trapped faeces and release chemicals that cause colon cancer
what is tooth decay
too much acidic, sugary foods. Bacteria eats the sugar and produce acid waste which reacts with the teeth causing decay
