Vitamins Flashcards
Fat soluble vitamins
ADEK. absorbed in fat tissues. (Toxicity for A can happen)
Risk factors for inadequate intake:
Elderly, nursing home patients, teenagers, alcoholics, pregnancy, GI disorders.
These people should all be taking supplements. Along with picky eaters, or people with low calorie diets.
Concerns:
High potency supplements and large doses of single vitamins
Food fads
Vitamin A (retinol, beta carotene)
Function:
Night vision
Growth and maintenance of cornea, all mucous membranes.
Enhances immune function
Def is in 3rd world countries.
Xerophthalmia and night blindness
What trimester is def at highest risk? The third!
Vitamin A toxicity:
Symptoms include birth defects, face, head, brain, heart
Toxicity reported in >25,000 IU’s
Vitamin D (antirachitic vitamin)
Sterol derivative
Only vitamin the body can synthesize. (You want 30-75ng/ml or 600-800 IU’s)
10 different compounds
D2 is a Rx, D3 is preferable and OTC
Rickets is disease if deficient
How much sunlight do you need to spend outside? About 15 minutes! Have to show face and arms. Sunscreen blocks this, even at spf 8.
Important for bones and teeth.
Vitamin D Deficiency:
Osteoporosis
Osteomalacia-happens with women while they are pregnant
Rickets- Poor ossification of bones, usually happens in kids. They will have bendable and brittle bones.
People at risk are people with lack of sun, and people who live and work primarily indoor. Dark skinned people too.
Tanning can give you vitamin D!
No Toxic dose for this. Very Rare.
Vitamin K
Coagulation or clotting. Helps form clots.
If you don’t have enough, you may bleed more/bruise more easily.
Toxicity hasn’t really been reported.
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Anti-Oxidant
Has 4 groups
Most important fat soluble anti-oxidant
Maintains RBC’s
Protects cell membranes from oxidative damage
Vitamin E Deficiency
Most likely to occur from diets high in polyunsaturated fats
-Found in vegetable oils, fried foods
Develops into muscular dystrophy and paralysis
Recommend 1000 IU’s a day. No toxicity.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Essential for connective tissue and immune function. Helps with maintenance of collagen.
Def. is scurvy.
Joint pain, dry skin, weakness, fatigue
Most animals can manufacture vitamin C
Symptoms would be bleeding gums, impaired wound healing
If you take too much, you will urinate it out. This can make kidney stones worse or even make them form.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
The common deficiency is in alcoholics. Classic deficiency is known as beriberi.
Signs and symptoms will consist of muscle wasting/fatigue, emaciation, and peripheral neuropathy
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Deficiency is rare except in kids they can cheilosis or glossitis. The cracks of the mouth will be sore.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Aids in aerobic respiration. Can be OTC or Rx
If you are deficient, you are usually older, malnourished or an alcoholic.
You will have the 3 D’s.
- Dermatitis
- Diarrhea
- Dementia
OTC can decrease cholesterol but it will take a LOT. Unreasonable amount of tablets to do this.
Long acting vs short acting Niacin:**
Short acting biggest side effect are hot flashes, get really hot.
Long acting can be more concerning on your liver.
For toxicity you can recommend ibuprofen or aspirin to help with the flushing etc.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Deficiency here results in peripheral neuropathy. Too much can cause this.
Drugs that cause these deficiencies:
Isoniazid, hydralazine, cycloserine**
