vitamins Flashcards
What groups are at risk for vitamin deficiencies?
Patients with rapid growth, medically compromised patients, those with substance abuse issues, those under stress, and vegans.
How does stress affect vitamin requirements?
Stress increases the body’s metabolic activity, which increases the requirement for most vitamins, especially water-soluble ones.
What is a primary vitamin deficiency?
A primary deficiency occurs due to decreased intake of vitamins.
What are water-soluble vitamins?
Water-soluble vitamins (e.g., Vitamin C and B-vitamins) are organic substances, absorbed in the jejunum, and act as coenzymes. They need daily intake as the body stores small amounts.
What are fat-soluble vitamins?
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are soluble in fat, stable in heat, absorbed with fats in food, require bile for absorption, and are stored in the liver and adipose tissues.
What is a secondary vitamin deficiency?
A secondary deficiency occurs due to inadequate absorption, increased requirements, excretion, or destruction of vitamins.
How are fat-soluble vitamins transported in the body?
Fat-soluble vitamins are transported via the lymphatic system.
How are water-soluble vitamins different from fat-soluble vitamins?
Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed in the jejunum, act as coenzymes, and require daily intake, while fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and adipose tissues and require bile for absorption.
What are the functions of Vitamin A related to oral health?
Vitamin A maintains vision in dim light, supports growth and cell differentiation, maintains skin and mucous membrane integrity, and aids immune function and cancer prevention.
What are the sources of Vitamin A?
Animal sources: Liver, egg yolks, fish. Plant sources: Carrots, squash, broccoli.
What is Vitamin A’s role in dental health?
Vitamin A is important for enamel and dentin formation.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency?
Symptoms include night blindness, growth failure, dry skin/mucous membranes, keratomalacia (eye disorder), and defective enamel and dentin in developing teeth.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin A excess?
Symptoms include hypercarotenemia (yellow skin, mainly on palms and soles).
What are the two main types of Vitamin A?
Retinoids (animal sources) and Carotenoids/beta-carotene (plant sources).
What are the functions of Vitamin D related to oral health?
Vitamin D aids in calcium and phosphorus absorption for bone and tooth mineralization, and prevents enamel hypoplasia and periodontitis.
Why is Vitamin D considered a hormone?
Vitamin D should be classified as a hormone due to its role in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
What are the main sources of Vitamin D?
Sunlight (at least 15 min exposure), fortified foods (cereals, dairy), and fish and meats.
What is Vitamin D’s role in dental health?
Vitamin D is important in preventing periodontal disease and supporting proper bone and tooth mineralization.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in children?
Symptoms include rickets (disturbance in normal bone formation, bowlegs, knock-knees), enamel hypoplasia, dental decay, and periodontitis.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in adults?
Symptoms include osteomalacia (bone softening, decreased mineralization), muscle weakness, loss of lamina dura, increased osteoporosis, and higher risk of cancer and cardiovascular issues.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin D excess?
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss, dizziness, and tingling sensations.
What are the functions of Vitamin E related to oral health?
Vitamin E protects cell membranes from oxidative damage, prevents hemolysis of red blood cells, acts as an anticoagulant, and may support periodontal health due to its antioxidant properties.
How many compounds make up Vitamin E?
Vitamin E comprises 8 different compounds.
What are the main sources of Vitamin E?
Vegetable oils (soybean), unprocessed/fortified cereals, nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens, and some fruits (apples, peaches, apricots).
How does Vitamin E benefit dental health?
Vitamin E may benefit patients with inflammatory conditions, including periodontal health.
What should be considered when taking Vitamin E with anticoagulant therapy?
Caution is needed with anticoagulant therapy or Vitamin K deficiency, as high doses of Vitamin E may increase the risk for hemorrhaging.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency?
Deficiency symptoms may include issues for premature infants, children, or adults who cannot absorb fats and oils, benefiting from supplementation. The evidence on whether Vitamin E lowers cardiovascular disease and chronic disease risk is unclear.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin E excess?
Excess Vitamin E can disrupt the balance of antioxidants and increase the risk of bleeding in patients on anticoagulants or with Vitamin K deficiency.
What are the functions of Vitamin K related to oral health?
Vitamin K aids in blood clotting (prothrombin production), supports bone density, and is essential for proper clotting, especially after surgery or extractions.
What are the two types of Vitamin K?
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) from plants, and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) from gut bacteria (e.g., E. coli in the large intestine).
What are the main sources of Vitamin K?
Dark green leafy vegetables, meats, and egg yolks.
Why do newborns require a dose of Vitamin K?
Newborns require a single dose because their intestinal tract is sterile and unable to produce Vitamin K.
How does Vitamin E affect Vitamin K absorption?
Vitamin K absorption decreases with high levels of Vitamin E supplements.
How does Vitamin K affect dental health?
Vitamin K is important for ensuring proper clotting after surgeries or extractions and supports bone health.
What should patients on anticoagulants do regarding Vitamin K?
Patients on anticoagulants should monitor their Vitamin K intake to avoid interfering with their medication.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency?
Defective blood clotting and increased bleeding risk. Deficiency may occur due to disease, drug therapy, or conditions blocking bile flow.
Why is Vitamin K deficiency rare?
Vitamin K deficiency is rare because it is derived from food and is synthesized by gut bacteria, which provide about half of the body’s requirements.
What are the functions of Vitamin C related to oral health?
Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation in gingiva and bone, enhances iron absorption and immune response, protects against soft tissue damage from bacteria and toxins, and aids in the utilization of folic acid and Vitamin B12.
What makes Vitamin C unique among vitamins?
Vitamin C is the only water-soluble vitamin essential for calcified structures.
What are the main sources of Vitamin C?
Citrus fruits, raw leafy vegetables, tomatoes, strawberries, and potatoes.
How does Vitamin C affect dental health?
Vitamin C is important for wound healing after procedures like scaling and root planing and helps smokers meet their increased vitamin C needs.
What are the symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency?
Symptoms of scurvy include swollen, red, sore, burning gingiva, spontaneous bleeding, periodontal destruction, increased infection risk, poor bone and tooth development, and delayed wound healing.
