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Companion Animal Nutrition > Vitamins > Flashcards

Vitamins Flashcards

1
Q

Fat soluble vitamins

A

The fat-soluble vitamins are similar to oil and do not dissolve in water. Fat-soluble vitamins are most abundant in high fat foods and are much better absorbed into the bloodstream when eaten with fat as they are dissolved by fats in the body.

They are absorbed by fat globules that travel through the small intestines and are distributed through the body in the bloodstream. Fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the body when not in use.

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2
Q

Water soluble vitamins

A

Water-soluble vitamins found in food or supplements, are dissolved in water.

Water-soluble vitamins are those that are dissolved in water then readily absorbed into tissues for immediate use. Because they are not stored in the body, they need to be replenished regularly in the diet.

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3
Q

Fat soluble votamins examples (4)

A

Vitamin A (retinol)
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K

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4
Q

Water soluble vitamines examples

A

Vitamin B Complex
B1 (Thiamine),
B2 (Riboflavin),
B3 (niacin),
B5 (pantothenic acid),
B6 (pyridoxine),
B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid)
B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

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5
Q

Vitamin A - What the Vitamin does in the body? 3

A

Essential for night vision – used within the eye to adapt to changes in light.

Regulation of immune system

Appetite and maintenance of skin and coat.

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6
Q

Vitamin A - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

A

Hypovitaminosis A can cause:

Poor skin and coat condition

Night blindness

Bone & teeth abnormalities

Weakened Immunity

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7
Q

Vitamin A Excess - what can this cause

A

Hypervitaminosis A can cause

Abnormal bone formation

Bone fusion (particularly in the spine) -

skeletal malformation including fusion of the vertebrae

Skin changes

Joint problems

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8
Q

Vitamin A - food sources

A

Fish oil, liver, eggs

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9
Q

Vitamin A and Cats

A

Vit A and Cats

Most animals can synthesise vitamin A from its dietary

precursor ‘carotene’

The cat is unable to so this so must receive vitamin A in the diet

Preformed A is only found in animal meat

Thus another reason for the cat being an obligate Carnivore

Care must be taken not to over supplement vitamin A – IE feed a very high VIT A diet (liver)

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10
Q

Vitamin D - What the Vitamin does in the body? 3

A

Increases the amount of calcium and phosphorus absorbed in the small intestine

Maintains correct levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.

Helps with immunity and control of cell growth

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11
Q

Vitamin D - Deficiencies – what can this cause? 3

A

Weakened/softer bones as not enough calcium is absorbed
Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass)
Weakened muscles

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12
Q

Vitamin D - Excess - what can this cause? (4)

A

Bone and tooth malformation
Slowed growth
Decreased appetite
Severe ossification problems – osteochondritis (inflammation of bone and cartilage)

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13
Q

Vitamin D food sources

A

Cod liver oil

Liver /organ meats

Dairy products

Eggs

Grass & Hay

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14
Q

What is the role of vitamin D in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body? (3)

A

1) Influences the amount of CAL/PHOS absorbed from the GI tract and deposition in bone tissue.
2) Synthesis of calcium binding protein
3) Vitamin D mobilises parathormone to regulate calcium levels within the blood to bone

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15
Q

Vitamin E - What the Vitamin does in the body? (3)

A

Protection of cell membranes

Regulation of immune system

Acts as an antioxidant – helps to protect cells from unstable molecules also known as ‘free radicals’

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16
Q

Vitamin E - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

A

Widespread cell damage

Reproductive and immune response failure

Muscle Weakness

Brown Bowel Syndrome is a condition used to describe a dog or cat deficient in Vitamin E. These animals have affected bowels which ulcerate, haemorrhage and degenerate

17
Q

Vitamin E - Excess - what can this cause?

A

Excess of this vitamin is extremely rare in animals therefore does not need to be considered.

18
Q

Vitamin E - food sources

A

Vegetable Oil

Grain, nuts and seeds

Leafy green vegetables

19
Q

Vitamin K - What the Vitamin does in the body?

A

Plays an essential part in blood coagulation

Binds calcium to bone

Helps to produce proteins for blood, bones and kidneys.

20
Q

Vitamin K - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

A

Anaemia

Haemorrhaging

Blood coming mucous membranes

Bleeding from bowels

Blood cannot clot/increased clotting time

21
Q

Vitamin K - Excess - what can this cause?

A

Can cause the breakdown of RBC and liver damage – rarely seen

22
Q

Vitamin K - food sources

A

Dark green leafy vegetables

Soybean and Canola oil

Liver and meat

Produced by bacteria in a healthy GI tract

—-> Bacteria in the large intestine can also synthesize vitamin K

23
Q

Vitamin C - What the Vitamin does in the body?

A

Antioxidant and plays a role in immunity and in drug and steroid metabolism.

Holds cells together through collagen synthesis

Aids in bone and tooth formation

Wound healing

Strengthens blood vessel walls

Functioning of the immune system

24
Q

Vitamin C - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

A

Does not occur in dogs and cats

Scurvy

Haemorrhages

Muscle/joint pain

Anorexia

Struggle standing, bone/joint pain

Susceptibility to infection/wounds don’t heal

25
Q

Vitamin C - Excess - what can this cause?

A

No applicable as water soluble

26
Q

Vitamin C - food sources

A

All fruit and veg but especially citrus

fruits, potatoes, green leafy veg.

27
Q

What is Vitamin C synthesised from?

A

Synthesised from glucose – except from man and guinea pig

28
Q

Vitamin B - What the Vitamin does in the body?

A

metabolism, digestion, red blood cells, coat and skin health, and cognitive functioning.

Plays a role in many enzyme reactions of the metabolism.

Helps maintain nervous system and blood cell production in bone marrow

Important in normal cardiovascular function

29
Q

Vitamin B - Deficiencies – what can this cause?

A

Skin disorders, dermatitis, skin lesions, slow would healing – this is all due to poor cell growth and production

Anaemia, lethargy

Vomiting and nausea

Mouth ulceration

Poor coat

GI upsets

Loss of appetite, Lethargy and fatigue – seen especially in vit B12 deficiencies

30
Q

Vitamin B - Excess - what can this cause?

A

Rare

Vits B1, B3, B5 & B6

VERY rarely seen due to being water soluble.

Nausea

Vomiting

Nerve damage

Vits B2, B7,B9, B12

No problems occur as excess is filtered out through glomeruli (excreted in urination)

31
Q

Vitamin B - food sources

A

meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds are all rich in B vitamins

Companion Animal Nutrition (4 decks)

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