Vitamins

Question 1

Vitamin A

Answer 1

FAT soluble
Retinol (animal foods) and beta-carotene (carotenoid that body converts to retinol)

Functions: vision, immune system, epithelial cell production

Deficiency: excess keratin builds up in eyes –> xeropthalmia (blindness)
Toxicity:
-excess retinol –> liver damage
-excess beta carotene –> skin yellowing

Question 2

Vitamin D

Answer 2

FAT soluble

Functions: calcium/phosphorus metabolism, maintenance of healthy bones, decrease urinary calcium excretion

Deficiency: rickets

Sources: salmon, tuna, sardines, dairy

Question 3

Vitamin E

Answer 3

FAT soluble

Functions: antioxidant, maintains immune system, protects PUS fatty acids

Deficiency: nerve damage, bad immune system
Toxicity: interference with blood clotting

Sources: oils and fats, veggies

Question 4

Vitamin K

Answer 4

FAT soluble

Functions: clotting

Deficiency: may occur in newborns (sterile gut) and those in long term antibiotic therapy

Sources: green veggies, made in gut

Question 5

Thiamin

Answer 5

WATER soluble (Vitamin B)

Functions: part of coenzyme involved in CARB release, synthesis of AA

Deficiency:

• Beriberi: edema, poor muscular coordination
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: found in alcoholics

Sources: pork, enriched grains

Question 6

Riboflavin

Answer 6

WATER soluble (B)

Functions: coenzyme for CARB/LIPID/AA metabolism

Deficiency: in people who don’t drink milk/eat enriched grains

Question 7

Niacin

Answer 7

WATER soluble (B)

Functions: participate in reactions NOT associated with macronutrients

Deficiency: pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, death)

Sources: enriched grains, turkey, tuna

Question 8

Folate/Folic Acid

Answer 8

WATER soluble

Deficiency: anencephaly (brain doesn’t form) or spina bifida (spine doesn’t form)

Sources: leafy green veggies, legumes, oranges, liver

Question 9

Vitamin C

Answer 9

WATER soluble

Functions: collagen/bile/hormone synthesis, antioxidant (NOT part of a coenzyme)

Deficiency: scurvy

Question 10

Antioxidants

Answer 10

Stabilize free radicals by giving up electrons

Vitamin E

Question 11

Those at risk for deficiency

Answer 11

Alcoholics/drug users: poor food choices/breakdown of vitamins
Older people: poor absorption
Long term hospitalized patients
People with anorexia, metabolic conditions, gastrointestinal disorder