Vitamin questions Flashcards
Who coined the term vitamines?
Casimir Funk. The name
What did Casamir Funk discover?
Beriberi which causes mostly neurological symptoms due to Thiamine deficiency - mostly from a diet of white rice
What are Vitamers?
Vitamers are similar in structure to each vitamins but have different chemical forms
e.g. vitamers of B3 (Niacin) are niacinamide or nicotinic acid
How many vitamins are there
13: AC, D, E, K and the B vitamins B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7/8, 9, 12)
Name all the vitamins:
Fat soluble vitamins = A, D, E, K
Water soluble vitamins =
B1 (Thaimine)
B2 (Riboflavin)
B3 (Niacin)
B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
B6 (Pyridoxine)
B7/B8/H (Biotin)
B9 (Folate)
B12 Cobalamin)
C (Ascorbic Acid)
What are the key functions of vitamins?
Supporting the immune system
Regulating gene expression
Supporting neurological activity
Facilitating ATP production
Manufacturing of blood cells
Regulation of hormones
Where are vitamins absorbed
In the small intestine - therefore GIT health is important
What are vitamins?
Vitamins are carbon containing compounds that are essential to the body in small amounts for normal growth and function
Can the body produces vitamins?
No with the exception of vitamin D that can be synthesised in this skin
Which vitamins are essential in the process of energy production?
B1, B2, B3, B5 - if deficient this can result in poor ATP production
* B5 is needed for the synthesis of coenzyme a
How does the body use vitamins?
Vitamins cannot be directly converted into energy or tissues, like macronutrients can. Vitamins, as they occur in food, are relatively inert until the body activates them
Vitamins facilitate physiological functions in the body e.g. vitamins C facilitates collagen synthesis but is not it physical part of collagen
Vitamins do not occur in isolation in nature. Supplements do not offer the same therapeutic advantages as consuming a spectrum of nutrients by food
What is a cofactor?
A cofactor is an essential component for enzyme activity
How do vitamin dependent enzymes work?
Vitamins are required for the activation of vitamin dependent enzymes - they function as cofactors.
E.g. B vitamins are vital cofactors for the action of the CYP 450 enzyme system needed the phase 1 l liver detoxification he
What other two types of vitamins?
Fat soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins
Fat soluble vitamins = A, D, E, K
Water soluble vitamins =
B1 (Thaimine)
B2 (Riboflavin)
B3 (Niacin)
B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
B6 (Pyridoxine)
B7/B8/H (Biotin)
B9 (Folate)
B12 Cobalamin)
C (Ascorbic Acid)
How are fat soluble vitamins absorbed and stored?
Fat soluble vitamins are soluble in fats.
They are absorbed with fat in the small intestineinto the lymphatic capillaries and then into the blood.
They are readily stored.
There is a tighter range between efficacy and toxicity than water-soluble
How are water soluble vitamins absorbed and stored?
Water soluble vitamins are soluble in water
They absorbed in a small intestine directly into the blood
Storage is minimal (except B12) and easily excreted, if in excess
What is the progression of insufficiency to deficiency of vitamins (5 steps)?
- Preliminary reduction of stores
- Reduction in enzyme activity
- Physiological impairment (early signs and symptoms)
- Classical deficiency syndromes
- Terminal tissue pathology
What does insufficiency mean?
Subclinical deficiency, i.e. vague symptoms
What does deficiency mean?
Clinical signs and symptoms of deficiency
What are the active forms (vitamers) which you execute the functions of vitamin A?
Retinol
Retinal
Retinoic acid
What happens to retinol?
Depending upon what the body requires retinol will be oxidised to the different forms - Retinol - Retinal - Retinoic acid.
If the body doesn’t need it, it will remain as retinol and be stored in the liver
What is the retinol used for in the body?
Health of retina
What is retinal used for in the body?
Visual pigments of rod and cone cells of retina
What is retinoid acid used for in the body?
Growth and differentiation of epithelial cells
