Vitamins Flashcards
What are the two types of vitamin A?
Retinol
Beta Carotene
What are the functions of vitamin A?
normal structure and function of skin, mucous membranes, eyes, digestive system
vital for growth
cellular differentiation
immune system
Describe a deficiency in vitamin A:
Night blindness xeropthalmia - dryness of conjunctiva and tear glands are blocked total blindness stunted growth health of skin affected lowered immune system
Describe a toxicity of vitamin A:
Hypervitaminosis
Acute - bulging fontanelles, lethargy, drowsiness
Clinical - blurred vision, damaged nerves
Chronic - alopecia, bone and joint pain, photophobia
Why is a excess of vitamin A during pregnancy dangerous?
It can lead to neural tube defects
spina bifida, still birth, can increase miscarriages
Some food sources of vitamin A
Liver products
whole milk
Pre-packed salad
2 Main sources of vitamin D:
Sun
Diet
Name the two types of vitamin D:
ergocalciferol
cholecalciferol
What will a deficiency in vitamin D lead to?
Rickets in children
Osteomalcia in adults
Osteoporosis - usually in women going through menopause, loss of oestrogen
Who is vulnerable to a vitamin D deficiency
Pregnant and lactating women
Breastfed babies
Those of an Asian origin
Aged 65+
Why are pregnant and lactating women at risk of vitamin D deficiency?
They need extra vitamin D to provide a store for the baby, for its first few weeks/ months of life
Why are breastfed babies vulnerable to a vitamin D deficiency?
Formulae milk is fortified with vitamin D whereas breastmilk does not have vitamin D present
Why are those age 65+ vulnerable to a vitamin D deficiency?
They may not get out into the sun as much or may be house bound
Why are those from an Asian origin vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency?
There dark skin does not synthesise vitamin D as well
What does an excess in vitamin D lead to?
Hypercalcemia
Demineralisation of bones and teeth
diarrhoea, weight loss
Effects of cooking on vitamin D:
stable in heat, insoluble in water
What are the functions of vitamin E?
Antioxidant - protects against free radicals (oxidative damage)
Formation of red blood cells, widens blood vessels
Keep the immune system strong
improves fertility
delay ageing/ improve skin condition
What disease in premature babies can vitamin E prevent?
An eye condition - Retrolental Fibroplasia - action of oxygen on developing blood vessels
What can a deficiency in Vitamin E lead to?
Muscular wasting
Nerve damage
Reproductive failure
Anaemia
Name 3 food sources of Vitamin E:
Oils
Nuts
Seeds
Real name of vitamin E:
tocopherol
Effects of cooking on vitamin E:
Destroyed in heat, oxygen, freezing, chlorine
Vitamin K functions:
formation of blood clotting factors
treatment of excessive menstrual bleeding
therapeutically in haemorrhagic disease of a new born
formation of bone proteins - role in preventing osteoporosis
Deficiency symptoms of vitamin K:
Osteoporosis chronic diarrhoea excessive menstrual bleeding nose bleeds poor blood clotting
Food sources of Vitamin K:
Dairy, meat, green leafy veg
Vitamin B1 is also known as:
Thiamine
Name 3 functions of Vitamin B1:
Normal functioning of the nervous system
Releases energy from carbs
Use and release of energy from your body
What will a deficiency in Vitamin B1 lead to?
Stops glucose being fully oxidised
build up of pyruvic acid
leads to muscular weakness, heart palpitations, oedema
What disease will a deficiency in vitamin B1 lead to?
Beriberi - two types
Wet Beriberi - fluid retention leads to oedema
Dry Beriberi - emaciation and wastage of tissue
Some food sources of vitamin B1:
whole grains
fruit
nuts
Vitamin B2 is also known as:
Riboflavin
What are the functions of vitamin B2?
Release energy from carbs, proteins and fats
Transport and metabolism of iron
Normal structure and function of mucous membranes and the skin
What will a deficiency in Vitamin B2 lead to?
Dryness and cracking around the mouth and nose
Eyes sensitive to light
Magenta tongue (red, sore)
Oily dermatitis - nose, cheeks, forehead
Cooking losses of riboflavin:
soluble in water, stable in heat
Vitamin B3 is also known as:
Niacin
What are some functions of vitamin B3?
Release of energy from foods
Normal function of skin and mucous membranes
Normal functioning of the nervous system
What will a deficiency in vitamin B3 lead to?
Pellagra
sensitive skin and sometimes looks like sunburn
Severe cases - dementia, fatal
What will a toxicity in vitamin B2 lead to?
Hyperlipidaemia - flushing, itching of skin, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances
Some food sources of vitamin B2 are:
Meat, Eggs, Dairy products
Losses in cooking in vitamin B3:
Niacin is more stable in water than riboflavin
What is vitamin B6 also known as?
Pyridoxine
What are the 3 forms of vitamin B6?
pyridoxine
pyridoxal
pyridoxine
What are the functions of vitamin B6?
Central role in the metabolism of amino acids
involved in breaking down glycogen
For the formation of red blood cells
Maintenance of normal blood homocysteine levels
Some food sources of vitamin B6:
Poultry
Milk
Eggs
White fish
What is another name for vitamin B12?
Cobalamin
What are the functions of vitamin B12?
Cofactor for enzymes involved in the nervous system
Formation of red blood cells
metabolism for folate
Maintenance of normal blood homocysteine levels
What will a deficiency in vitamin B12 lead to?
Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining in older people
pernicious anaemia - red blood cells are enlarged, leads to
shortness of breath
fatigue
rapid heart rate
Food sources of Vitamin B12:
Meat
Liver
Milk
Eggs
What is folate also known as?
Folic acid
What are some functions of folate?
Healthy red blood cells
normal cell division
normal structure of the nervous system
Development of neural tube
What will a deficiency in folate lead to?
Pernicious anaemia - release of an immature red blood cell, normal process of maturation in the bone marrow, Insomnia Depression Irritability Forgetfulness
Vitamin C is also known as:
Ascorbic Acid
What are some functions of vitamin C?
Antioxidant properties
Involved in the synthesis of collagen
normal structure and functioning of connective tissue - bones, skin, cartilage
Normal structure and function of blood vessels
Increase in the absorption of non-haem iron
What will a deficiency in vitamin C lead to?
Scurvy - bleeding gums, poor wound healing
fatigue, weakness, aching joints,
What are some food sources of vitamin C?
Citrus fruits
green vegetables
tomatoes
Losses in cooking:
Readily destroyed during cooking
soluble in water
readily oxidised
Toxicity of vitamin C leads to:
Diarrhoea
Intestinal discomfort
Some food sources of folate are?
Green leafy veg, brown rice, peas, oranges
