Vitamins Flashcards
minerals are ____ and vitamins are ____
organic or inorganic?
minerals- inorganic
vitamins- organic
list the fat soluble vitamins
A,D,E,K
list water soluble vitamins
B,C
how often we need fat soluble vs. water soluble vitamins
fat- stored in our bodies (may be toxic)
water- daily (not stored, seldom toxic)
what vitamin A is needed for
vision, bone/teeth (osteoclast function), epithelial cells
what are osteoclasts and osteoblasts
clasts- break down bone
blasts- build up bone
list the vitamin A precursors and where they are found
carotenoids (like betacarotene)- pigments in yellow/orange fruits/vegs
lycopene- found in tomatoes/blueberries (is converted to betacarotene)
where in body betacarotene is converted to vitamin A? what animals cannot do this and have to eat straight vitamin A?
small intestine and liver, not cats or box turtles
why carotenoids and lycopenes are not toxic, but vitamin A itself can be
carotenoids and lycopenes= water soluble (excreted)
vitamin A- fat soluble (stored)
vitamin A deficiencies can cause
blindness, dry eyes (xeropthlamia), reproduction problems (epithelial cells of uterus), resp problems (epithelial cells), growth disorders (osteoclasts), skin problems (epithelial cells)
vitamin A excess can cause
liver damage (stored), enlarged joints, fetal abnormalities/still birth, cervical spondylosis (“bone spurs”)
the sunshine vitamin
vitamin D
2 active forms of vitamin D
D-2 (precursor= ergosterol in plant material)+gut enzymes=active form
D-3 (precursor= 7 dehydrocholesterol in skin) + UV light= active form
what species can only use the D-3 form of vitamin D
reptiles and birds
vitamin D is linked to the absorption of
Ca and P
deficient vitamin D can cause
same as Ca and P
osteoporosis, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, ricketts in young, hypocalcemia
(possible also cancers)
why cola is thought to lower bone density and increase risk of osteoporosis
often have much P, change the Ca:P ration from 2:1 to 1:2
vitamin E is also called
alpha tocopherol or tocopherol
what vitamin E is needed for
fertility (males esp.), stress, works w selenium as an antioxidant
what vitamin K is needed for
needed to make prothrombin for clotting
where vitamin K is made
bacteria in intestinal tract, from plants, or is made artifically
circumstances in which we would suppliment vitamin K
on long term anitbiotics (mat kill gut bacteria that make it), long term diarrhea (wash out bacteria or vitamin K being made), in birds (short GI tract, little time for absorption), if eat rat poison (warfarin ties up vitamin K)
what to do in event of animal eating rat poison
induce vomiting or if too late supplement vitamin K for 3-4 weeks
where are B-complex vitamins made
bacteria in LI (rumen in ruminants, cecum in horses)
what B-complex vitamins are needed for
energy metabolism, cofactors and coenzymes of energy metabolism, stress increases need
what causes vitamin B-Complex deficiencies
long term antibiotic use or diarrhea (washed out vitamins or kills bacteria that make)
when to supplement B-1 (thiamine)
animal is fed raw fish (contains thiaminase), or has coccidiosis (intestinal parasite, uses up thiamine)
vitamin B-1 is also known as
thiamine
vitamin B-2 is also known as
Riboflavin
signs of B-1 (thiamine) deficiency
affects brain; nervous system signs like polioencephalomalacia (aka opisthotonus/ stargazing)
what B-2 (Riboflavin) is needed for
deficiency causes what
needed to break down fats
deficiency= glossitis (inflamation of tongue) or dermatitis
vitamin B-3 is also called
niacin
how niacin is made and possible sources
made from amino acid tryptophan (except in cats), tryptophan and niacin found in meat
B-3 (niacin) deficiency can cause
oral ulcers and stomatits
pellagra in humans, black tongue in dogs
vitamin B-5 is also called
Pantothenic acid
what B-5 (pantothenic acid) is needed for
coenzyme for krebs cycle for energy production, helps production of antibodies, helps make neurotransmitters like acetylcholine
vitamin B-6 is also called
Pyridoxine
what B-6 (pyridoxine) is needed for
hemoglobin synthesis, helps metabolize fats and proteins, helps maintain nerve function
vitamin B-7 is also called
biotin
what B-7 (biotin) is needed for
healthy hooves and nails
vitamin B-9 is also called
Folic acid
B-9 (folic acid) deficiency can lead to
neural tube defects in embryo (forms brain and spinal cord), cleft palate, hair lip, spina bifida (lumbar vertebrae usu. dont close completely around spine), encephalocele (brain portrudes out in buldge), anencephaly (no brain)
vitamin B-12 is also called
Cobalamine or cyanocobalimine
what vitamin B-12 (cobalamine) is needed for?
deficiencies can cause…
RBC production
deficiency= non-regenerative anemia or pernicious anemia (lack intrinsic factor made by parietal cells in stomach needed to absorb B-12)
this B-like vitamin substance is often supplemented in fresh cows to prevent ketosis
it can also be used to treat what in humans
choline (involved in protein, carb, and fat metabolism)
treat liver disease and neurologic conditions in humans (like alzeimer’s, depression, and memory loss)
vitamin C is also called
what animals cannot produce it in their livers from glucose like others
ascorbic acid
guinea pigs, fish, bats, primates
Vitamin C is needed for
deficiency?
Fe absorption, collagen synthesis/wound healing, bone metabolism (healing)
deficiency = scurvy (gums bleeding, skin lesions, slow healing (may appear as bruising))
list the vitamin (and mineral) antioxidants
A (and betacarotene and lycopene), C, E (+ selenium)
also zinc
antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals, like peroxide, in cells. why are these bad?
damage cell membranes and DNA
cause decreased immunity, disease, possibly cancer
plant used to increase vitamin D3 and increase calcium absorption in hens and create stronger egg shells
Solanum
one case we read about was an iguana w signs suggesting renal failure, she was supplemented calcium and vitamin D daily, what was the issue?
too much vitamin D, (renal failure secondary hypervitamindosis D), excessive supplementation allows large amounts of Ca to be absorbed from intestines resulting in soft tissue mineralization
