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Vitamins And Minerals > Vitamins > Flashcards

Vitamins Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of vitamins?

A

Vitamins help regulate the chemical reactions that allow us to obtain energy from macronutrients

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2
Q

What are the water-soluble vitamins?

A

B1 - Thiamin
B2 - Riboflavin
B3 - Niacin/Nicotinic Acid
B6 - Pyridoxine
Folate
B12 - Cobalamin
Pantothenic Acid
Biotin
C - Ascorbic Acid

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3
Q

Are water soluble vitamins lost or absorbed?

A

They are lost rapidly from the body

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4
Q

What are the fat-soluble vitamins?

A

A - retinol/carotene
D - dehydrocholesterol
E - Tocopherols
K - Phylloquinone

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5
Q

How are fat vitamins absorbed?

A

They are absorbed in intestinal cells along with fat and are stored in the liver

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6
Q

What are vitamins?

A

Organic substances needed in small (µg or mg) amounts for normal function, growth, and maintenance of the body

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7
Q

What are the two classifications of vitamins?

A
  • Water-soluble
  • Fat-soluble
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8
Q

Name three water-soluble vitamins.

A
  • Thiamin (B1)
  • Riboflavin (B2)
  • Ascorbic acid (C)
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9
Q

What is the primary function of vitamin C?

A

Acts as an antioxidant and reducing agent

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10
Q

What can excessive intake of vitamin C cause?

A
  • Gastrointestinal disturbance
  • Kidney stone formation
  • Erosion of dental enamel
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11
Q

True or False: Most water-soluble vitamins are stored well in the body.

A

False

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12
Q

Fill in the blank: Vitamin C is also known as _______.

A

[Ascorbic acid]

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13
Q

What are the early symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?

A
  • Weakness
  • Aching joints and muscles
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14
Q

What is the mean intake of vitamin C in the UK according to the NDNS?

A

83mg/day

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15
Q

What are the recommended intakes of vitamin C for adults?

A

40mg/day

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16
Q

Which factors affect vitamin C status?

A
  • Food intake
  • Metabolism (higher demand in smokers, pregnancy, exercise)
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17
Q

What is the significance of hydroxylation reactions in vitamin C function?

A

Co-factor for collagen synthesis and energy release from fatty acids

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18
Q

List three main contributors to vitamin C intake.

A
  • Vegetables: 28.5%
  • Soft drinks: 22%
  • Fruit: 20%
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19
Q

What is scurvy?

A

Severe deficiency of vitamin C

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20
Q

How does vitamin C help with iron absorption?

A

Helps non-haem iron absorption by reducing ferric to ferrous iron

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21
Q

What is the average daily intake of vitamin C for children aged 1-10 years?

A

30mg/day

22
Q

True or False: Vitamin C is the most stable of all vitamins.

A

False

23
Q

What are the effects of cooking on vitamin C content in food?

A

Vitamin C is lost when exposed to light, alkali, air, and heat

24
Q

What are the deficiency symptoms of vitamin C?

A
  • Anaemia
  • Bleeding gums
  • Delayed wound healing
25
Q

What is the structure of vitamin C?

A

Similar 6 carbon structure to glucose

26
Q

What happens to ascorbate at intakes of >500mg/day?

A

All ascorbic acid above that required is excreted unchanged in urine

27
Q

Which populations are likely to be vitamin C deficient?

A
  • Smokers
  • Homeless
  • Refugees
28
Q

What is the role of vitamins in relation to chronic diseases?

A

Prevent chronic diseases and ensure optimal health

29
Q

What is the function of Thiamin in energy metabolism?

A

Thiamin is phosphorylated to thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), a co-enzyme in several multi-enzyme complexes, enabling utilization of carbohydrates for energy, production of acetyl CoA, metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, and inter-conversion of sugars.

30
Q

What are the recommended daily intakes (RNI) of Thiamin for adults?

A

Males: 1.0 mg/d; Females: 0.8 mg/d

31
Q

What are the main dietary sources of Thiamin?

A
  • Unrefined cereals
  • Organ meats
  • Pork flesh
  • Nuts
  • Legumes
  • Fortified cereals and breads
32
Q

True or False: Thiamin is destroyed in acidic water.

A

False

33
Q

What are the main contributors to Thiamin intake?

A
  • Cereal and cereal products: 34%
  • Meat and meat products: 14%
34
Q

What are the common symptoms of Thiamin deficiency?

A

Symptoms include chronic peripheral neuropathy, tachycardia, shortness of breath, and lower limb edema.

35
Q

What factors can lead to Thiamin deficiency?

A
  • Inadequate intake
  • Poor absorption
  • Increased metabolic demand
  • Treatment with diuretics
  • Alcoholism
36
Q

What are the three distinct syndromes associated with Thiamin deficiency?

A
  • Dry beri beri
  • Wet beri beri
  • Wernicke’s encephalopathy with Korsakoff’s psychosis
37
Q

What are the signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?

A
  • Ocular disturbances (nystagmus, double vision)
  • Ataxia
  • Deranged mental function (memory loss, listlessness)
38
Q

What is the effect of alcohol on Thiamin?

A

Alcohol diminishes Thiamin absorption and increases its excretion.

39
Q

What is the recommended intake of Vitamin B12 for adults?

A

1.5 µg/d, plus 0.5 µg/d during lactation.

40
Q

Who is at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

A
  • Infants breastfed by vegan mothers
  • Infants on vegan or restricted diets excluding fortified foods
  • Older people (reduced acid)
41
Q

What are the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

A
  • Fatigue
  • Breathlessness
  • Pale skin
  • Palpitations
  • Glossitis
  • Disturbed vision
42
Q

What is pernicious anemia?

A

Malabsorption of B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor, leading to severe deficiency.

43
Q

What is the primary function of Vitamin B12?

A

Cofactor for methyltranferase, essential for DNA, RNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation.

44
Q

Fill in the blank: The richest dietary source of Vitamin B12 is _______.

A

liver

45
Q

True or False: There are no toxic effects documented for Vitamin B12.

A

True

46
Q

What can interfere with Vitamin B12 availability?

A

Excess vitamin C.

47
Q

What factors affect the absorption of Vitamin B12?

A
  • Not enough R protein
  • Digestive enzymes
  • Stomach acid or intrinsic factor
  • Surgery
  • Chronic malabsorption
48
Q

What is the role of Thiamin in the metabolism of alcohol?

A

Thiamin is needed for the metabolism of alcohol, with its deficiency leading to impaired processing of ethanol.

49
Q

How is dietary thiamine absorbed in the body?

A

Dietary thiamine is broken down by enzymes and absorbed by active transport in the duodenum and jejunum.

50
Q

What percentage of adults in the UK have an intake below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) for Thiamin?

A

Less than 0.5%

Vitamins And Minerals (3 decks)

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