topic 2

Question 1

the fat soluble vitamins are…

Answer 1

A,D,E,K

Question 2

the water soluble vitamins are…

Answer 2

vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and all Bs: thiamine (B1), riboflavin(B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B4), biotin (B7), folate (B9), cobalamin (B12)

Question 3

why do we use international units (IU) to describe vitamin quantities?

Answer 3

We use it to note the amount of the vitamin we are describing, regardless of the source. This is because different foods often require different consumed amounts to get the same quantity of a vitamin. To standardize the unit of measure when compounds with different levels of bioavailability can be sources of the vitamin.

Question 4

what vitamin deficiency can be associated with a vegan diet and feeling tired, weak, and tingling extremities,

Answer 4

A vitamin B12 deficiency

Question 5

what does folic acid do for pregnant women? what is a food with this vitamin?

Answer 5

It reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Spinach is rich in folate.

Question 6

T or F: Fat soluble vitamins are not capable of being stored in the body.

Answer 6

False, fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the body.

Question 7

T or F: water soluble vitamins are stored in the body.

Answer 7

False, water soluble vitamins are excreted through urine.

Question 8

Why is vitamin D given the name the sunshine vitamin?

Answer 8

Sunshine (or rather UVB rays) causes the body to undergo a series of reactions that synthesize vitamin D in the body.

Question 9

Prothrombin needs vitamin K to be activated in the body, but what does this protein do?

Answer 9

It acts in blood clotting processes.

Question 10

The body cannot produce all vitamins, so we get them from….

Answer 10

Foods, the sun

Question 11

where does the word vitamin come from?

Answer 11

Vitamin = vital amine

Question 12

vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency is associated with…

Answer 12

beriberi

Question 13

pellagra is caused by…

Answer 13

a vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency

Question 14

vitamin D deficiency is associated with…

Answer 14

Ricketts (a bone disease caused by lack of sun)

Question 15

scurvy is caused by…

Answer 15

a lack of vitamin C

Question 16

Describe B12

Answer 16

-It is a water soluble vitamin,
-involved in the formation of red blood cells,
-only found in animal products,
-people with gastro-intestinal issues may have a deficiency of this vitamin due to malabsorption,
-pernicious anemia arises from lack of B12

Question 17

Why does a lack of vitamin B often cause sleepiness, weakness?

Answer 17

Because vitamin B acts as a coenzyme (protein that enhances rxns) and are involved in energy production. As a result, less vitamin B = less energy

Question 18

Vitamin A is found in…

Answer 18

animal products: eggs, butter
foods with pro-vitamin A (betacarotene): carrots, peppers, oranges, tomatoes

Question 19

retinitis pigmentosa may be slowed by…

Answer 19

vitamin A as it is essential to healthy vision

Question 20

T or F: beta-carotene supplements decrease smokers’ risk for lung cancer.

Answer 20

False, it increases the risk for lung cancer in smokers

Question 21

Osteoporosis arises from…

Answer 21

a vitamin D deficiency. As a result, it is supplemented in milk

Question 22

True or False: Vitamin D
- it prevents/reduces respiratory tract infections
- improves depression, treats rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, reduces mortality
- high doses increase the risk of falls and fractures
- it must be taken with calcium to reduces falls and fractures in the elderly

Answer 22

• false
  -false
  -true
  -true

Question 23

Describe vitamin E? What does vitamin E do in the body?

Answer 23

• needed for structural & functional maintenance of skeletal, cardia, and smooth muscle. Assists in red blood cell formation, maintains stores of vitamin A, vitamin K, Fe, and Se.
• It has an antioxidant effect.
• It is a mix of tocopherol and tocotrienol.
• Derived from plant sources.
• May increase risk in heart failure.

Question 24

Describe vitamin K. What does it do in the body? Where can it be found? Who shouldn’t take it?

Answer 24

• mix of compounds, needed for the synthesis of some proteins that are pre-requisites for blood coagulation and needed for controlling binding of Ca to bones and tissues.
• Prothrombin (protein that acts in blood clotting processes) needs vitamin K to be activated in the body. Osteocalcin needs vit. K.
  -Not to be taken by people who take coumadin (blood thinner).
• High in leafy greens (kale, broccoli, spinach)

Question 25

What does vitamin C do?

Answer 25

It aids with the functioning of the immune system, it is necessary in our bodies, it increases the absorption of Fe.

Question 26

True or false: vitamin C prevents the common cold.

Answer 26

False, trials did not show this, this is anecdotal and has not been provable in studies.

Question 27

Describe vitamin A

Answer 27

• discovered by McCollum,
• found in animal foods, but also when consuming pro-vitamin A carotenoids (beta carotene) that are then transformed into vit. A in the body (e.g. Foods that are orange like carrots, tomatoes, peppers, oranges).
• It is needed for bone growth, reproduction, immune system, helps skin & mucous membranes repel bacteria and viruses, essential to healthy vision,
• Lack of night vision can be caused by its deficiency.
• Foods enriched with it aim to help improve vision (e.g. Golden rice, golden potato).