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Em Year 2, Nutrition 1 > Vitamins > Flashcards

Vitamins Flashcards

1
Q

Who first discovered vitamins in 1911?

A

Casimir Funk, a Biochemist

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2
Q

Name the disease that led to Casimir Funk discovering vitamins in 1911. Who did it affect and why?

A

Beriberi

It affected people (asians) on a diet of primarily white rice. It was caused by a lack of thiamine (via B1)

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3
Q

Why were vitamins first known as vitamines?

A

Because Casimir fink thought all vitamins contained nitrogen (‘amine’ = contains nitrogen). We later discovered that they don’t all contain nitrogen, so the e was dropped.

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4
Q

What are vitamers? Give an example.

A

Vitamers are different chemical forms (each having a slightly different structure of their same molecules) of the same vitamin.

i.e, Niacinamide and nicotinic acid are both forms/vitamers of vitamin B3.

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5
Q

Which vitamin was originally called anti-beriberi factor?

A

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

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6
Q

How many vitamins are there?

A

13

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7
Q

How many vitamins are in the B-complex? Name them

A

8

Thiamine
Riboflavine
Niacin
Pantothenic acid
Biotin 
B6 
B12
Folate
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8
Q

List 5 key functions of vitamins in general.

A
  1. Support the immune system
  2. Regulate gene expression
  3. Support neurological activity
  4. Facilitate ATP production
  5. Manufacturing of blood cells
  6. Regulation of hormones
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9
Q

Where in the GIT are vitamins absorbed?

A

In the small intestine

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10
Q

Why is it vital to optimise GIT health when it comes to vitamins?

A

Because they are absorbed in the small intestine. The gut is the interface.

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11
Q

What is the energy currency of the body?

A

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

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12
Q

What are vitamins?

A

Vitamins are carbon-containing compounds that are essential to the body in small amounts, for normal growth and function.

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13
Q

Name a vitamin that the body cannot produce itself.

A

Vitamin D

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14
Q

Which vitamins are vital in the process of energy (ATP) production?

A

Vitamins B1, B2, B3 & B5

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15
Q

Which vitamin is essential for the production of collagen?

A

Vitamin C

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16
Q

Which vitamin is needed for the synthesis of co-enzyme A (involved in ATP production)?

A

Vitamin B5

17
Q

Name the highest food source of selenium.

A

Brazil nuts

18
Q

In nature, vitamins do not occur in isolation. True or false?

A

True

19
Q

Why don’t supplements offer the same therapeutic advantages as consuming a spectrum of nutrients via food?

A

Because individual vitamins and minerals don’t occur in isolation in nature / whole food.

20
Q

What is a co-factor?

A

An essential component for enzyme activity.

21
Q

What are enzymes?

A

Enzymes are proteins that facilitate and/or accelerate chemical reactions in the body.

22
Q

Which vitamins are vital co-factors for the action of the CYP450 enzyme system, which is needed for phase 1 liver detoxification?

A

B vitamins

23
Q

Why are B vitamins often used as part of a liver detoxification programme?

A

Because they are vital co-factors in the activation of the CYP450 enzyme system, needed for phase 1 liver detox

24
Q

Which vitamins can be depleted quickest?

A

The water soluble ones - Vitamin B & C

25
Q

There are 2 types of vitamins. Name them.

A

Fat soluble - A,D,E,K

Water soluble - B,C

26
Q

_____ soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine into the lymphatic capillaries and then into the blood.

A

Fat soluble.

27
Q

_____ soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine directly into the blood.

A

Water soluble

28
Q

Storage of water soluble vitamins is minimal, with the exception of vitamin ____, which can be stored in the liver.

A

B12

29
Q

Explain the difference between insufficiency and deficiency.

A

Insufficiency is sub-clinical deficiency, during with we may see vague symptoms.

Deficiency is the point at which we see clear clinical signs and symptoms of a deficiency.

30
Q

True vitamin deficiencies are rare, except for vitamins ___ and ___.

A

Vitamins D and B12

31
Q

Which was the first vitamin to be discovered? Is it water or fat soluble?

A

Vitamin A

Fat soluble

32
Q

Name the 3 active forms (vitamers) of vitamin A.

A

Retinol, retinal and retinoic acid

33
Q

There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinol. What is retinol vital for?

A

The health of the retina (eye)

34
Q

There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinal. What is retinal vital for?

A

Colour vision. The pigments in the rod and cone cells in the eye.

35
Q

There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinoic acid. What is retinoic acid vital for?

A

Growth of key tissues, cell differentiation, DNA expression.

36
Q

Which is the most active vitamer of vitamin A?

A

Retinol

37
Q

What can be used by the body to produce retinal and retinoic acid (vitamers of vitamin A)?

A

Retinol.

Em Year 2, Nutrition 1 (8 decks)

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