Vitamins Flashcards
Where are carotenoids contained?
Plant Pigments
What are the main functions of VIT A and Carotenoids?
Health of epithelial cells and immune function
Vision
What is the Vision deficiency disorder that results in the loss of ability to see under low light conditions?
Night blindness
Carotenoids (antioxidant) may decrease risk of what disease?
Cardiovascular Disease
What vitamin deficiency causes Xerophthalmia?
Vitamin A
What is Xerophthalmia?
Hardening of the cornea and drying of the surface of the eye (lack of mucus) which can result in blindness
What are sources of preformed vitamin A?
Liver, fish, fish oils, fortified milk, butter, yogurt, eggs
What are sources of carotenoids?
Dark green and yellow-orange vegetables
What is linked to excess of Vitamin A and Carotenoids?
Excess linked to birth defects and liver toxicity
Where are almost all vitamin A and Carotenoids stored?
Liver
What vitamin is the only nutrient that is also a hormone?
Vitamin D
What are the functions of Vitamins D?
Blood calcium regulation and gene expression and cell growth
What are the deficiency diseases of Vitamin D?
Rickets and Osteomalacia
What is the adult form of Rickets?
Osteomalacia
What are sources of Vitamin D
Sunlight is the best source, Fatty fish (salmon)
What are populations that may have difficulty meeting Vitamin D needs?
Vegans, individuals with milk allergies or lactose intolerance
What does taking too much of Vitamin D from high supplement sources cause?
It can cause calcium levels in the blood to increase
What are the toxicity symptoms of taking too much Vitamin D?
Weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, mental confusion, increased urine output
What are the functions of Vitamin E?
Antioxidant, essential for fertility, improves vitamin A absorption
What populations are susceptible to Vitamin E deficiency?
Preterm infants, smokers, and those with very low-fat diets or fat malabsorption
What are sources of vitamin E?
Plant products and oils are best sources
What is the risk of having too much Vitamin E in the body?
Stored in adipose tissue :( But the excess can interfere with Vitamin K’s role in blood clotting
What are sources of Vitamin K?
Plants, plant oils, fish oils, animal products
What Vitamin is synthesized by bacteria in the colon?
Vitamin A
What are the functions of Vitamin K?
Blood clotting and bone health
What deficiency disease is associated with Thiamin - B1?
Beriberi
What are symptoms of the deficiency disease Beriberi?
“I can’t I can’t” - pain in back of legs, weakness, loss of appetite, anemia, ?
What vitamin is B-2?
Riboflavin
What vitamin is B-3?
Niacin
What deficiency disease is associated with Riboflavin- B2?
Celiosis
What vitamin is especially difficult for vegetarians/vegans to acquire an adequate amount? Why?
B-12, the main source is animal organs (meat) and secondarily milk which may not appeal as well
What is the name of vitamin B-7?
Biotin
