vitamin essentials Flashcards
vitamins essential for bone health
D
K
A
vitamin D summary
- mineralises bone by raising blood calcium and phosphorus
- found in fortified milk, butter, juice, liver, synthesised in the body with the help of sunlight
deficiency in children
- rickets - inadequate calcification, enlargement of the long ends of bones, delayed fontanelle closing
deficiency in adults
- osteomalacia and osteoporosis
- loss of calcium resulting in soft, flexible and brittle bones
toxicity
- elevated blood calcium and calcification of soft tissues
- damages kidneys, lungs, heart and joint tissues `
summarise vitamin K
synthesises proteins for bone mineralisation and blood clotting
found in green, leafy vegetables, milk, liver
synthesised in the digestive tract
deficiency
- poor skeletal mineralisation
- haemorrhage
toxicity
- interference with anticlotting medication
summarise vitamin A
the precursor is beta carotene
functions in bone and tooth growth, vision, epithelial health, regulation of gene expression
vitamin A is found in milk, cheese, eggs, liver
beta carotene is found in spinach, broccoli, and other dark leafy greens
deficiency
- impaired bone growth
- easily decayed teeth
- night blindness
- corneal drying
- keratin lumps on the skin
- impaired immunity
toxicity of vitA
- increased activity of bone dismantling cells
- liver abnormalities
- birth defects
toxicity of beta carotene
- harmless yellowing of the skin
minerals essential for bone health
calcium
phosphorus
magnesium
fluoride
summarise calcium
major mineral involved in bones and teeth
muscle contraction, nerve function, blood clotting, immune defences
found in milk, small fish, calcium set tofu
deficiency in children
- stunted growth
deficiency in adults
- bone loss
- osteoporosis
toxicity
- constipation, urinary tract stone formation
- kidney dysfunction
- interferes with the absorption of other minerals
summarise phosphorus
mineralisation of bones and teeth
part of phospholipids
important in genetic materials
energy metabolism
found in animal sources
deficiency
- muscular weakness and bone pain
toxicity
- calcification of softy tissues
- particularly in the kidneys
summarise magnesium
bone mineralisation
protein synthesis
enzyme action
muscle contraction
nerve impulse transmission
found in nuts and legumes, dark green vegetables
deficiency effect
- confusion, weakness
- extreme deficiency can lead to convulsions and hallucinations
toxicity
- from nonfood sources only
- diarrhoea
- pH imbalance
- dehydration
summarise fluoride
helps form bones and teeth
makes teeth decay resistant
drink water if fluoride containing or fluoridated
deficiency
- susceptibility to tooth decay
toxicity
- fluorosis - pitting and discolouration of the teeth
what are the vitamins essential for blood health
B12
folate
vitamin b6
vitamin K
summarise B12
part of the coenzymes for new cell synthesis including blood cells
found in animal products and eggs
deficiency
- anaemia large cell type
- smooth tongue
- tingling or numbness
- memory loss
toxicity
- none reported
summarise folate
part of coenzymes used in dna synthesis and therefore important in new cell formation including blood cells
food source is leafy green vegetables, seeds and liver
deficiency
- anaemia
- smooth red tongue
- increased risk of neural tube birth defects
- headache
toxicity
- masks vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
summarise vitamin B6
helps make haemoglobin for red blood cells
part of coenzymes used in amino acids and fatty acid metabolism
found in meat fish and poultry, fortified cereals
deficiency
- anaemia
- depression
- convulsions
- scaly dermatitis
toxicity
- depression
- fatigue
- headache
- nerve damage
- muscle weakness
what are the minerals vital for blood health
iron
zinc
copper
summarise iron
trace mineral
carries oxygen as a part of haemoglobin in blood or myoglobin in muscles
cellular energy metabolism
found in red meat, fish, shellfish, legumes
deficiency
- anaemia, weakness, fatigue, headaches
- pale skin
- nail neds
- palm creases
- concave nails
- inability to regulate body temperature
toxicity
- gastrointestinal stress, with chronic iron overload
- skin pigmentation and organ damage
summarise zinc
trace mineral
activates many enzymes and is associated with the hormone insulin
involved in making genetic material and proteins
transport of vitamin A
wound healing and taste perception
normal fetal development
found in protein containing food, red meats and shellfish
deficiency
- impaired immune function
- growth retardation
- delayed sexual maturation
- hair loss
- eye and skin lesions
- loss of appetite
toxicity
- loss of appetite
- impaired immunity
- iron and copper deficiencies