The Basic Science of Nutrition

Question 1

P142

Vitamin A supports…

Answer 1

…the maintenance of normal skin, vision, immune system and mucus membranes.

Question 2

P142

Vitamin B12 supports…

Answer 2

…normal energy yielding metabolism, and normal function of the nervous system and immune system; supports red blood cell formation, and normal psychological function.

Question 3

P142

Vitamin C supports…

Answer 3

…normal collagen formation, and normal function of the blood vessels, bones, gums, skin and teeth; supports the normal function of the immune system, nervous system and psychological function.

Question 4

P142

Vitamin D supports…

Answer 4

…the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus and normal blood calcium levels; supports normal function of the immune system, teeth, muscle function and bones.

Question 5

P142

Vitamin E supports…

Answer 5

…the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Question 6

P142

Vitamin B6 supports…

Answer 6

…nervous system function, immune function, and red blood cell formation; supports normal protein, glycogen and homocysteine metabolism; and hormonal activity.

Question 7

P142

The vitamin Riboflavin supports…

Answer 7

…maintenance of normal skin, red blood cells, vision, and nervous system function; supports energy yielding metabolism and protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Question 8

P142

The Vitamin Folic Acid supports…

Answer 8

…normal amino acid synthesis, blood formation, immune function and cell function; supports maternal tissue growth during pregnancy and normal homocysteine metabolism.

Question 9

P142

The mineral Calcium…

Answer 9

…supports normal muscle function, neurotransmission and function of digestive enzymes; needed for the maintenance of normal teeth and bones, and contributes to normal blood clotting.

Question 10

P142

The mineral Chromium…

Answer 10

…supports normal macronutrient metabolism and the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.

Question 11

P142

The mineral Copper…

Answer 11

…supports normal iron transport in the body, hair pigmentation and maintenance of normal connective tissues; supports normal skin pigmentation, immune function and protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Question 12

P142

The mineral Magnesium..

Answer 12

…supports normal protein synthesis, electrolyte balance, muscle function and nervous system function; supports the maintenance of normal bones and teeth and plays a role in the process of cell division.

Question 13

P142

The mineral Phosphorus…

Answer 13

…supports normal function of cell membranes and maintenance of normal bones and teeth.

Question 14

P142

The mineral Selenium…

Answer 14

…supports normal thyroid function, immune function, and maintenance of normal hair and nails.

Question 15

P142

The mineral Zinc…

Answer 15

…supports normal carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, DNA synthesis and hormone metabolism; supports normal cognitive function, the reproductive system, macronutrient metabolism and immune function.

Question 16

P142

Free radicals are…

Answer 16

…oxygen molecules that are missing an electron, which has made them unstable.

These unstable molecules are searching for another electron to stabilise them.

By taking an electron from other molecules, it can cause varying degrees of damage to cells, which may even lead to oxidation and ageing.

Question 17

P142

Antioxidants function by…

Answer 17

…preventing oxidation of our body’s proteins and fats from free radicals.

Question 18

P142

Oxidation is…

Answer 18

…the loss of electrons.

Free radicals damage cells by taking electrons, and are therefore an oxidising agent.

Antioxidants provide electrons to stabilise free radicals, preventing them from damaging your body’s cells.

Question 19

P142

The enzyme Lipase breaks down…

Answer 19

Lipids (fats).

Question 20

P142

The enzyme lactase breaks down…

Answer 20

Lactose.

Question 21

P142

The enzyme Protease breaks down…

Answer 21

Protein.

Question 22

P142

The enzyme Amylase breaks down…

Answer 22

Starch and sugars.

Question 23

P142

The enzyme Alpha-Galactosidase breaks down…

Answer 23

Sugars.

Question 24

P142

The enzyme Peptidase breaks down…

Answer 24

Protein.

Question 25

# P142 The enzyme Invertase breaks down...

Answer 25

Sugars.

Question 26

# P142 Sugars are broken down by the enzymes...

Answer 26

Amylase, Alpha-Galactosidase and Invertase.

Question 27

# P142 Proteins are broken down by the enzymes...

Answer 27

Protease and Peptidase.

Question 28

# P142 Starch is broken down by the enzyme...

Answer 28

Amylase.

Question 29

# P142 Lactose is broken down by the enzyme...

Answer 29

Lactase.

Question 30

# P142 Lipids (fats) are broken down by the enzyme...

Answer 30

Lipase.

Question 31

# P142 Prebiotics are...

Answer 31

...soluble fibres that ferment in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and create an ideal environment for probiotics to colonise and grow.

Question 32

# P142 Probiotics are...

Answer 32

...beneficial microflora (good bacteria) found in the GI system of all humans that help keep “bad” bacteria in check and also assist with the normal function of the GI system.

Question 33

# P142 Populations of beneficial intestinal bacteria may be reduced by...

Answer 33

...poor diet, environmental pollution, and antibiotic medications.

Question 34

# P142 Uncomfortable side effects like gas, indigestion and diarrhoea can be signs of...

Answer 34

...microfloral imbalance in the GI system.

Question 35

# P142 Enzymes are...

Answer 35

...specialised proteins and help the body break down dietary nutrients like protein, sugars, carbohydrates, starch, lactose, and others, so they can be properly utilised by the body.

Question 36

# P142 Omega-3 fatty acids are...

Answer 36

...polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential for the optimal biological function of the body.

Question 37

# P142 An essential nutrient is one that...

Answer 37

...can not be made by the body and must be obtained through the diet.

Question 38

# P142 While marine animal sources like fish and now krill are the most common sources of omega-3 fatty acids, there have been concerns regarding the possibility of environmental contaminants in marine based oils, and even the environmental impacts of harvesting these sources of oils. However, recent advancements in science and manufacturing processes have made it possible to extract...

Answer 38

...alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosa- hexaenoic acid (DHA), and even eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from plant and algae sources, giving consumers the option to choose safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Question 39

# P142 Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the maintenance of good health, as well as contributing to the normal function of the...

Answer 39

...heart and brain.

Question 40

# P142 Fibre is...

Answer 40

...non-digestible carbohydrates and lignin found in plants and includes both insoluble and soluble types.

Question 41

# P142 Fibre helps support normal GI health, satiety, and cardiovascular health, so it’s important to get at least the recommended daily value of...

Answer 41

...25 grammes of fibre every day.

Question 42

# P142 Fibre helps support...

Answer 42

...normal GI health, satiety, and cardiovascular health.

Question 43

# P142 Pea protein is a source of all nine essential amino acids, including the three BCAAs (branch chain amino acids) which are...

Answer 43

Leucine, valine and isoleucine.

Question 44

# P142 There are nine essential amino acids (essential means that they cannot be synthesised by the human body and must be supplied by diet). They are...

Answer 44

...phenylalanine, valine*, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine*, isoleucine*, lysine, and histidine. *BCAAs

Question 45

# P142 There are thirteen non-essential amino acids (non-essential means that they can be synthesised by the human body). They are...

Answer 45

Alanine, arginine*, aspartic acid, cysteine*, glutamic acid, glutamine*, glycine*, proline*, serine*, tyrosine*, asparagine*, selenocysteine and pyrrolysine**. *These are considered to be conditionally non-essential, which means that they can be essential in certain extreme cases, such as premature birth. **This "22nd amino acid" isn't used by the human body.