Nutrition 5 Flashcards
What are vitamins
Vitamins are a group of chemically unrelated organic compounds, they are found in minute quantities in food
What are the 13 vitamins that are essential for the regulation of body processes
A,B,C,D,E,K
What vitamins can we make
Vitamin D, vitamin K and some B vitamins
Where are vitamin B and K synthesised
Synthesised by the gut flora
What vitamins are fat soluble
A, D, E, K
What vitamins are water soluble
Vitamin C and B
Describe water soluble vitamins
Absorbed directly into the blood stream generally not harmful because they are secreted out of the body, prone to leaching from food because they are sensitive to heat
What factors influence the utilisation of vitamins
- availability
- anti vitamins
- pro vitamins
- biosynthesis by gut flora
- interstinal disease
- interactions of nutrients
What are beta carotenes converted to
Vitamin A
What can being coeliac impact
Intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 deficiency
How many essential minerals are there
15-16 that are known to be essential
What are major minerals
- iron
- calcium
- zinc
- magnesium
- sodium
- chloride
- potassium
- phosphorus
Needed in bigger amounts
What are trace elements
Minerals needed in a smaller amount
What are the main functions of essential minerals
1) consistent of bones and teeth
2) formation soluble salts which help control composition of body fluids
3) essential components of many enzymes and other proteins, necessary for release and use of energy
What minerals are soluble in water
Sodium and potassium therefore readily absorbed
What minerals are insoluble in water
Fe and Zn
What do you need to think about when obtaining minerals
Food ingredients, form of nutrients, interactions with other nutrients
What minerals are very deficient in the general population
Iron and iodine are deficient in widespread populations
Why is iodine important in pregnancy
Effects the development of the brain
What are the two groups of compounds that vitamin A is found in
Preformed vitamin A and provitamin A
Where can beta carotene be found
Plants, vegetables
What are the functions of vitamin A
- growth and normal development
- vision
- regulation of gene expression
- antioxidant
- immunity
- red blood cell production
- cell differentiation
- tooth development, oral epithelial development
Why is vitamin A important in dentistry
Tooth development, oral epithelial development
Where is vitamin A usually found
Preformed vitamin A absorbed as retinol is found in liver, fatty fish, eggs, whole milk, cheese and butter
What can a vitamin A deficiency cause in dentistry
- associated with decreased oral epithelial tissue development, impaired tooth formation, enamel hypoplasia, and presence of periodontitis
How much vitamin A can be toxic
More than 200mg can vomiting ect
How much vitamin A will cause chronic toxic effects
10mg per day for one month or more can cause bone and muscle pain severe effects ect
What is the function of B vitamins
-essential for cell metabolic activities eg in many enzymes
- release energy from carbs and fats
- catalyse formation of red blood cells
- protein and amino acid metabolism
Usually work together, problem in one B vitamin usually problems in others
What can B vitamin deficiency cause
Neurodegenerative and inherited metabolic disorders
What can deficiency of niacin cause
Pellagra (dementia, dermatitis and diarrhoeas)
What are the functions of vitamin C
Vitamin C is best known as an antioxidant
What can a deficiency in vitamin B6 cause
Recurrent mouth ulcers, halitosis, severe gingivitis, soreness and discolouration of the tongue and cheilitis
What is folate important for in pregnancy
May decrease risk of neural tube defects in pregnancy, therefore woman should increase this in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy
What can vitamin B12 deficiency cause
Associated with glossitis, aphthous stomatitis, atrophy of the lingual papillae, burning and redness of the tongue,angular stomatitis, dysphagia, and pallor of the oral tissues
What can vitamin C deficiency lead to
Scurvy
What is the function of vitamin D
- calcium absorption
- repair and formation of bone
- cell differentiation
- immunity
- promotes cell maturation in the small intestine
- insulin secretion
What vitamin is important in collagen synthesis
Vitamin C
What are some other functions of vitamin C
- required for synthesis of noradrenaline
- required for synthesis of carnitine
- required for synthesis of various peptide hormones and hormone releasing
- required for synthesis of bile acid
What can a vitamin C deficiency cause in the oral cavity
- bleeding from gums, teeth fall out
What are some functions of vitamin D
- promotion of calcium absorption
- repair and formation of bone
- cell differentiation
- immunity
- promotes cell maturation in small intestine
- insulin secretion
How much vitamin D should children have
10 micro grams a day roughly
What can vitamin D deficiency cause in the oral cavity
Hypoplasia in teeth - lack of enamel calcification
What can a vitamin D deficiency cause in children
Rickets in children
What is the most toxic vitamin if taken in high doses
Vitamin D
What is the function of vitamin E
It is a powerful antioxidant, it is essential in protecting cell components
What does vitamin E prevent
Lipid periodisation, which can cause destruction of the cell membrane
What are some sources of vitamin E
High amounts of foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds
What is vitamin K needed for
Blood clotting
What is calcium’s role in the body
Bone and teeth structure, contraction for muscles, cell signalling ect
At what age is peak bone mass reached
30-35 years old
How much calcium is absorbed
10-30% dietary calcium absorbed
What is the function of zinc in the body
Essential mineral in the diet, zinc enzymes required for synthesis of DNA and RNA which is essential for growth and development, needed for the antioxidant enzyme
What does deficiency of zinc cause
Growth retardation, sexual and skeletal immaturatity ect
