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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?

22
Q

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

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
What is the structure of vitamin C?
Similar 6 carbon structure to glucose
26
What happens to ascorbate at intakes of >500mg/day?
All ascorbic acid above that required is excreted unchanged in urine
27
Which populations are likely to be vitamin C deficient?
* Smokers * Homeless * Refugees
28
What is the role of vitamins in relation to chronic diseases?
Prevent chronic diseases and ensure optimal health
29
What is the function of Thiamin in energy metabolism?
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
What are the recommended daily intakes (RNI) of Thiamin for adults?
Males: 1.0 mg/d; Females: 0.8 mg/d
31
What are the main dietary sources of Thiamin?
* Unrefined cereals * Organ meats * Pork flesh * Nuts * Legumes * Fortified cereals and breads
32
True or False: Thiamin is destroyed in acidic water.
False
33
What are the main contributors to Thiamin intake?
* Cereal and cereal products: 34% * Meat and meat products: 14%
34
What are the common symptoms of Thiamin deficiency?
Symptoms include chronic peripheral neuropathy, tachycardia, shortness of breath, and lower limb edema.
35
What factors can lead to Thiamin deficiency?
* Inadequate intake * Poor absorption * Increased metabolic demand * Treatment with diuretics * Alcoholism
36
What are the three distinct syndromes associated with Thiamin deficiency?
* Dry beri beri * Wet beri beri * Wernicke’s encephalopathy with Korsakoff’s psychosis
37
What are the signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
* Ocular disturbances (nystagmus, double vision) * Ataxia * Deranged mental function (memory loss, listlessness)
38
What is the effect of alcohol on Thiamin?
Alcohol diminishes Thiamin absorption and increases its excretion.
39
What is the recommended intake of Vitamin B12 for adults?
1.5 µg/d, plus 0.5 µg/d during lactation.
40
Who is at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency?
* Infants breastfed by vegan mothers * Infants on vegan or restricted diets excluding fortified foods * Older people (reduced acid)
41
What are the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
* Fatigue * Breathlessness * Pale skin * Palpitations * Glossitis * Disturbed vision
42
What is pernicious anemia?
Malabsorption of B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor, leading to severe deficiency.
43
What is the primary function of Vitamin B12?
Cofactor for methyltranferase, essential for DNA, RNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation.
44
Fill in the blank: The richest dietary source of Vitamin B12 is _______.
liver
45
True or False: There are no toxic effects documented for Vitamin B12.
True
46
What can interfere with Vitamin B12 availability?
Excess vitamin C.
47
What factors affect the absorption of Vitamin B12?
* Not enough R protein * Digestive enzymes * Stomach acid or intrinsic factor * Surgery * Chronic malabsorption
48
What is the role of Thiamin in the metabolism of alcohol?
Thiamin is needed for the metabolism of alcohol, with its deficiency leading to impaired processing of ethanol.
49
How is dietary thiamine absorbed in the body?
Dietary thiamine is broken down by enzymes and absorbed by active transport in the duodenum and jejunum.
50
What percentage of adults in the UK have an intake below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) for Thiamin?
Less than 0.5%

Vitamins And Minerals (3 decks)

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