Vitamins Flashcards
what are water soluble vitamins sensitive to
heat, light and oxygen
examples of water soluble vitamins
B vitamins and vitamin C
Examples of fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E, K
How is excess water soluble vitamins lost
Lost in urine, sweat and faeces
How is fat soluble vitamins lost
Stored in fat and liver
What are some methods of reducing vitamin loss
- Store food out of light eg coloured plastic, dark cupboards
- Seal food away from oxygen eg sealed container, wrap in glad wrap, vacuum packaging
- Cook for shorter periods eg stir frying, microwave
Steam rather than boil
What are the best methods to cook food if we want to reduce vitamin loss due to heat?
Steam rather than boil.
Cook slower at a reduced temperature
What are the best ways to store food if we want to reduce vitamin loss due to light?
Store in cupboards/pantry, tinted/opaque containers.
How can we store food if we want to reduce vitamin loss due to oxygen?
Air tight containers, glad wrap, glad bags
Explain why water soluble vitamins need to be consumed everyday.
They are lost from the body through sweat, urine and faeces.
Describe two methods of maintaining high levels of vitamin C in vegetables.
Storing them in the fridge, steam instead of boiling- cook for shorter periods of time away from water. Eat vegetable raw.
Explain the importance of vitamin D in bone health
Vitamin D assists with calcium absorption which helps to support bone healthy
what does a vitamin D deficiency result in
Rickets in children
Osteoporosis in adults
Even though Australians live in a country that has high levels of sunlight, explain why there are also high levels of people who are vitamin D deficient.
Sunscreen can reduce the absorption of Vitamin D. People may be covering up their skin with sun-smart clothing. People may not be consuming enough foods that are rich in vitamin D
The elderly are particularly at risk of being vitamin D deficient. Explain why this is especially dangerous for them.
Vitamin D deficiency leads to poor bones and teeth due to inhibited calcium absorption. Older people are more susceptible to osteoporosis.
The elderly have less mobility and therefore may be more likely to have less sun exposure.
- In Australia it is law that margarine is fortified with vitamin D. Explain why this is the case.
Margarine is a product that is used by the majority of the population- therefore majority of the population consume this and it supports the population in reaching the RDI of vitamin D.
Explain why children who do not have enough vitamin D tend to have bowed legs.
Vitamin D promotes the body’s absorption of Calcium. A deficiency in calcium leads to brittle bones. During the development of these bones the weight of their body can lead to bowed legs.
Explain why people with osteoporosis are at a higher risk of fractures.
Osteoporosis causes bones to be brittle and less dense. This causes them to not be as strong and break easily under pressure from a fall or a hit.