Vitamins Flashcards
Do vitamin/mineral needs differ between people?
Yes, age is the most important factor that effects vitamin/mineral needs. sex also has an effect
Are natural sources of vitamins and minerals better?
Yes, we should promote good diets and vitamins/mineral supplements are secondary. People that really need them, don’t look for them
Why do people take vitamins/minerals?
Dietary insurance
For energy (B vitamin supplement effect is 100% pyschological)
To prevent illness (diet is king, supplements won’t ward off cancer or heart disease)
Specific medical reasons (eye vitamins for preventing AMD progression)
Why are B12 vitamins for seniors important?
Some people after aging over 50 will have issues with getting B12 from their diet (protein-cleaving issues), so supplements might be needed to help people get B12
Who really needs vitamins?
Impoverished groups
alcohol addicts
pregancy/lactation
obese
elderly
What supplements are given to infants automatically in Canada?
In Southern Canada
If breast-fed : 400IU
If formula fed: 0IU
If you live in northern areas?
If breast-fed: 800 IU
If formula-fed: 400 IU
Do babies need iron supplements?
This the realm of pediatricians. They might recommend a prescribed iron supplement if situation is exceptionally bad
Kids don’t need any iron supplements until 6 months
Iron-enriched baby food is available after 6 months
Do kids really need supplements?
Good food is king, but if parents want to cover all of their bases, go ahead and give vitamins
What are the Vitamin D requirements for people by age?
Infant (0-12 months): 400 IU, toxicity is 1000-1500 IU
Children and Adults (1-70 years): 600 IU, toxicity is 2500-4000 IU
70+: 800 IU , toxicity is 4000 IU
Vitamin D toxicity is the most concerning and possible out of the fat soluble vitamins
What is the utility of children’s multivitamins?
They are so low in dose, that they are effectively sub-therapeutic
What is the utility of children’s multivitamins?
They are so low in dose, that they are effectively sub-therapeutic. The selection of what vitamin/minerals included is also arbitary.
Something is better than nothing, just go with favourite character on box
What vitamins do teenagers need?
Young girls need to focus on calcium(osteoporosis risk reduction) and iron (loss due to menstruation)
Is it a serious issue if you give someone supplements not for their age group?
Not really, getting something is better than nothing
Are 100% complete multivitamins particularly better than other multivitamins?
Not really, they might be overkill. We only need multivitamins to top our levels up
How much vitamin D should people take?
600 IU a day (7000 IU once per week is also fine and does not pose toxicity concerns)
Toxicity starts after 4000IU per day and everyday. it can happen, so be careful
What is the best source of vitamin D?
90% of vitamin D production can be attributed to sunlight
10% of Vitamin D comes from food supplementation
We need to balance concerns between sun exposure causing skin damage and sun exposure promoting the production of Vitamin D
What vitamins do seniors need?
1200mg of Calcium
600-800 IU of Vitamin D
2.4 micrograms of Vitamin B12
Declining smell and taste = lower appetite(consuming less vitamins and minerals)
Live alone = eat less
Need less…
B vitamins because lower metabolism
Vitamin A
Iron
What supplements do people with pernicious anaemia take to help with their condition?
High dose Vitamin B12 (1000 micrograms and above)
Are the advantages sublingual B12 clinically relevant?
No, speed of absorption doesn’t really matter
What vitamins do pregnant women need?
Pregnant women are automatically given Materna (folic acid delivery system)
Iron: 27mg
Folate: 400 micrograms
Calcium: 1000mg
Vitamin D: 600 IU
What vitamins do young women need?
Pregnant women are automatically given Materna (folic acid delivery system)
Child-bearing age
Iron: 18mg
Folate: 400 micrograms
Calcium 1000mg
Vitamin D: 600mg
Pregnant woman needs
Iron: 27mg
Folate: 400 micrograms + what you were taking before
Calcium: 1000mg
Vitamin D: 600 IU
Why do pregnant women not like taking Materna?
People erroneously blame iron or calcium for nausea, but it is mostly from B12.
If meat-eating women does not want to take Materna, thats fine. We are more concerned about vegetarian mothers
Do pregnant women need specifically pregnancy-labelled multivitamins?
No, but ensure that there is a good amount of iron, folate, Vitamin D, and calcium
Why do pregnant and young women take folate?
It is taken to prevent spinal developmental issues in the fetus. Because 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, women of child-bearing age should take some type of folate. Women need to take at least 400 micrograms of folate.
Does iron content affect multivitamin adherence?
No, it is unfairly blamed. tablet size might play a bigger role in adherence
How much calcium should women take daily according to their age?
4-8 years old: 1000mg
9-13 years old: 1300mg
14-18 years old: 1300mg
19-50 years old: 1000mg
51+ years old; 1200mg
Side effects only start after 2500mg per day (and even at this dose, side effects are barely perceptible. constipation is the biggest concern)
What is the maximum dosing for calcium in one serving?
500mg. The body simply excretes the excess. This means you need to take calcium multiple times in a day to reach RNI (hence BID dosing)