Nutrition Flashcards
Vitamin A Function
Essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Night blindness, increased susceptibility to infections, and skin issues.
Vitamin D Function
Crucial for calcium absorption and bone health.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and increased risk of fractures.
Vitamin C Function
Important for collagen synthesis, antioxidant protection, and immune function.
Vitamin C Deficiency
Scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums, joint pain, and poor wound healing.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Function
Energy Metabolism
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency
Leads to beriberi: Loss of appetite, weakness, pain in the limbs, shortness of breath and swollen feet or legs.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Function
Energy production and DNA repair
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Deficiency
Causes pellagra. Symptoms include dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea. This is because niacin deficiency is most noticeable in body parts with high rates of cell turnover, such as your skin or gastrointestinal tract. Dermatitis related to pellagra usually causes a rash on the face, lips, feet, or hands.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Function
Red blood cell formation and neurological function
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency
Results in megaloblastic anemia and neurological issues. Megalobastic anemia is a form of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells and a decrease in the number of those cells.
Iron Function
Essential for oxygen transport in the blood.
Iron Deficiency
Anemia, characterized by fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.
Iodine Function
Crucial for thyroid hormone production.
Iodine Deficiency
Goiter, hypothyroidism, and developmental delays in children.
Calcium Function
Vital for bone health and muscle function.
Calcium Deficiency
Osteoporosis, muscle spasms, and increased fracture risk.
Zinc Function
Important for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.
Zinc Deficiency
Growth retardation, loss of appetite, and impaired immune function.
Amino Acid Function
Essential for protein synthesis, enzyme function, and neurotransmitter production.