Vitamins Flashcards
Who first discovered vitamins in 1911?
Casimir Funk, a Biochemist
Name the disease that led to Casimir Funk discovering vitamins in 1911. Who did it affect and why?
Beriberi
It affected people (asians) on a diet of primarily white rice. It was caused by a lack of thiamine (via B1)
Why were vitamins first known as vitamines?
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.
What are vitamers? Give an example.
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.
Which vitamin was originally called anti-beriberi factor?
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
How many vitamins are there?
13
How many vitamins are in the B-complex? Name them
8
Thiamine Riboflavine Niacin Pantothenic acid Biotin B6 B12 Folate
List 5 key functions of vitamins in general.
- Support the immune system
- Regulate gene expression
- Support neurological activity
- Facilitate ATP production
- Manufacturing of blood cells
- Regulation of hormones
Where in the GIT are vitamins absorbed?
In the small intestine
Why is it vital to optimise GIT health when it comes to vitamins?
Because they are absorbed in the small intestine. The gut is the interface.
What is the energy currency of the body?
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
What are vitamins?
Vitamins are carbon-containing compounds that are essential to the body in small amounts, for normal growth and function.
Name a vitamin that the body cannot produce itself.
Vitamin D
Which vitamins are vital in the process of energy (ATP) production?
Vitamins B1, B2, B3 & B5
Which vitamin is essential for the production of collagen?
Vitamin C
Which vitamin is needed for the synthesis of co-enzyme A (involved in ATP production)?
Vitamin B5
Name the highest food source of selenium.
Brazil nuts
In nature, vitamins do not occur in isolation. True or false?
True
Why don’t supplements offer the same therapeutic advantages as consuming a spectrum of nutrients via food?
Because individual vitamins and minerals don’t occur in isolation in nature / whole food.
What is a co-factor?
An essential component for enzyme activity.
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins that facilitate and/or accelerate chemical reactions in the body.
Which vitamins are vital co-factors for the action of the CYP450 enzyme system, which is needed for phase 1 liver detoxification?
B vitamins
Why are B vitamins often used as part of a liver detoxification programme?
Because they are vital co-factors in the activation of the CYP450 enzyme system, needed for phase 1 liver detox
Which vitamins can be depleted quickest?
The water soluble ones - Vitamin B & C
There are 2 types of vitamins. Name them.
Fat soluble - A,D,E,K
Water soluble - B,C
_____ soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine into the lymphatic capillaries and then into the blood.
Fat soluble.
_____ soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine directly into the blood.
Water soluble
Storage of water soluble vitamins is minimal, with the exception of vitamin ____, which can be stored in the liver.
B12
Explain the difference between insufficiency and deficiency.
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.
True vitamin deficiencies are rare, except for vitamins ___ and ___.
Vitamins D and B12
Which was the first vitamin to be discovered? Is it water or fat soluble?
Vitamin A
Fat soluble
Name the 3 active forms (vitamers) of vitamin A.
Retinol, retinal and retinoic acid
There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinol. What is retinol vital for?
The health of the retina (eye)
There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinal. What is retinal vital for?
Colour vision. The pigments in the rod and cone cells in the eye.
There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinoic acid. What is retinoic acid vital for?
Growth of key tissues, cell differentiation, DNA expression.
Which is the most active vitamer of vitamin A?
Retinol
What can be used by the body to produce retinal and retinoic acid (vitamers of vitamin A)?
Retinol.
