Overview of Micronutrients Flashcards
Which food is said to be the new superfood?
Raw liver
What is a carbon-containing substances needed in large amounts by the body for energy ?
Macronutrients
What is needed in small amounts by the body?
Micronutrients
What are the 2 different types of micronutrients?
Vitamins and Minerals
What are carbon-containing larger molecules?
Vitamins
Are vitamins essential?
Yes
Why are vitamins essential?
They can’t be synthesized by body
Which vitamin isn’t considered to be essential?
Vitamin D
Are people likely to experience toxicity from food sources of vitamins?
No
Why aren’t people likely to experience toxicity from food sources of vitamins?
It’s hard to reach the upper limit
When do people suffer toxicity symptoms from food sources of vitamins?
When their intakes exceed the upper limit
What are minerals?
Salt
Are minerals essential?
Yes
What are the 3 categories of minerals?
- Major
- Trace
- Ultratrace
What are 3 examples of major minerals that are major cellular ions?
Sodium, potassium, and chloride
What type of minerals are the most abundant minerals in the body?
Major minerals
What are the 7 major factors that affect the bioavailability of minerals?
- Age
- Gender
- Genetic Variables
- Nutritional Status
- Other Dietary Components
- Prescription Drugs
- Fiber Content of Diet
Are minerals better absorbed from animal or plant foods?
Animal Foods
Why are minerals better absorbed from animal foods?
It’s easier to get it from your intestine
Give an example of plant foods that contain chemicals that affect mineral absorption.
Iron
How does phytic acid and oxalic acid affect mineral absorption?
They decrease the absorption of Calcium, Magnesium and Iron
How does the body’s need for a mineral affect the absorption of that mineral?
Your body adapts the amount you absorb based on how much you need
How does fiber affect mineral absorption?
It binds to them and get in the way of absorption
What are the two categories of vitamins?
Fat soluble and water soluble
Which type of vitamins are not found in food?
Water soluble
Where are fat soluble vitamins found?
In the fat content of food
Are fat soluble vitamins or water soluble vitamins more likely to have toxicity?
Fat soluble vitamins are more likely to have toxicity
Why are water soluble vitamins less likely to have toxicity?
They are not stored in the body
How are water soluble vitamins released?
Through urination
Which form of vitamins and minerals are incomplete?
Synthetic form
Which form of vitamins and minerals are not as bioavailable?
Synthetic form
What do vitamins and minerals have to do if they are incomplete?
They have to “build” a complete vitamin complex by adding the missing factors
Why do synthetic vitamins sometimes create an overall deficiency in the body?
The “building” process depletes the body’s nutritional reserves
Will taking supplements make up for a poor diet?
No
What are the two different types of supplementation that are the most effective?
Maintenance supplementation and Therapeutic supplementation
What involves supplementing with selected micronutrients that are difficult to obtain even in the context of a nutrient-dense diet?
Maintenance supplementation
What involves using supplements for a specific purpose for a specific period of time?
Therapeutic supplementation
Do you take maintenance supplementation temporarily or for life?
You take it for life in small doses
Do you take therapeutic supplementation temporarily or for life?
You take it temporarily
What is an example of maintenance supplementation?
Magnesium
What is an example of therapeutic supplementation?
Vitamin D
What are 4 examples of major minerals for bone health?
Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Sulfur
What are 5 examples of trace minerals?
Iron, Zinc, Iodide, Copper, and Fluoride
