Vitamin E and K

Question 1

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) as an antioxidant

Answer 1

• prevents oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and other lipids (absorbs the free radicals) - if plenty of vit. D is present in the membranes of cells exposed to an oxidant, chances are this vitamin will take the brunt of any oxidative attack, protecting the lipids and other vulnerable components of the mebranes.

Question 2

Vitamin E - protects the lungs

Answer 2

• important antioxidant effect in the lungs, where the cells are exposed to high concentrations of oxygen. protects the lungs from air pollutants that are strong oxidants

Question 3

Vitamin E - May reduce LDL oxidation and thus reduce atherosclerosis

Answer 3

• may offer protection against heart disease by protecting LDL from oxidation and reducing inflammation. The oxidation of LDL encourages development of atherosclerosis.

Question 4

Vitamin E deficiency

Answer 4

• Erythrocyte hemolysis in premature infants (rupture of the red blood cells caused by vitamin E deficiency) - when blood concentrations of vitamin E fall below a certain critical level, the red blood cells tend to break open and spill their contents, probably because the PUFA in their membranes oxidize.
• loss of muscle coordination and reflexes
• impaired movement, vision, and speech
• usually occurs with diseases of the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas

Question 5

Vitamin E toxicity

Answer 5

• associated with supplement use
• interferes with blood clotting

Question 6

Vitamin E In food

Answer 6

• vegetable oils and products made from them
• wheat germ oil
• whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts

Question 7

Vitamin K Roles

Answer 7

• roles in blood clotting and bone protein synthesis
• blood clotting: needed for activation of several proteins involved in blood clot formation
• Intestinal synthesis (by bacterial)
• insufficient as sole source
• also participates in the synthesis of several bone proteins. without vitamin K the bones produce abnormal proteins that cannot effectively bind to the minerals that normally form bones.

Question 8

vitamin K deficiency causes and symptoms

Answer 8

• Fat malabsorption
• antiobiotics or anticoagulants
• symptoms hemorrhage

Question 9

Vitamin K nutrition for newborns

Answer 9

• Single dose given at birth because of their sterile gut

Question 10

Vitamin K toxicity

Answer 10

• Rare; no UL established
• high doses interfere with anticoagulants

Question 11

Vitamin K in foods

Answer 11

green leafy vegetables, cabbage family, some vegetables