Vitamins and Complementary Medicine Flashcards
What isa vitamin?
a key nutrient that is required by, but not manufactured in, the body that is essential for health
quantity required is usually very small
term is usually reserved for organic molecules
What is the effect of vitamin deficiency?
deficiency can lead to diseases
What are the different functions of vitamins?
have a variety of biochemical functions
as hormones - vitamin D
as anti-oxidants - vitamin C and E
cell signalling mediators - vitamin A
co-enzymes/enzyme precursors - vitamin B group
What groups are vitamins divided into? What vitamins are in each group?
water soluble vitamins
- Vitamin C and B group
fat soluble
- Vitamin A, D, E and K
based on chemical characteristics
What is the function of fat soluble vitamins? Where are they stored?
fat soluble vitamins bind to indigested lipids and are absorbed along with their digestion products
fat soluble vitamins are stored in the body and pathologies due to fat soluble vitamin toxicity (esp Vit A) have well documented clinically
- only Vitamin A, D and E are stored in the body. Vitamin K is not
Why are water soluble vitamins safer than fat soluble vitamins?
water soluble vitamins ( C and B group ) are rapidly absorbed and excreted
= 60 day ‘limit’ in the body
What is the source of Vitamin A? What is it known as? What are the effects of its deficiency? What are the effects of an overdose? What are its uses?
known as retinals and carotenoids
sources
- liver, fish, dairy produce (eggs, cheese, milk), fish oils
deficiency effect
- blindness (night), acne, dandruff, mouth ulcers, xerophthalmia (dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva)
overdose
- headache, dry skin, hair loss, dizziness, hypercarotenosis (yellow skin)
uses
- supplements for vegetarians, treats acne, treats psoriasis, helps vision in dim light, resistance to infection, bone remodelling
What is the source of Vitamin D? What is it known as? What are the effects of its deficiency? What are the effects of an overdose? What are its uses?
are a group of related steroids
- ergocalciferol (D2), cholecalciferol (D3), calciferol
source
- can be manufactured on exposure to UV light, fish liver oils, milk, butter, cheese, egg, yoghurt
deficiency effect
- rickets = rachitis is a skeletal disorder, weak and soft bones, poor/stunted growth
uses
- pregnant and breastfeeding women need supplements
- breastfed babies and young children need supplements
- people with darker skin need supplements
- people who don’t have high exposure to sun
What is the source of Vitamin E? What is it known as? What are the effects of its deficiency? What are the effects of an overdose? What are its uses?
a collection of 8 fat soluble compounds
source
- fats and oils, poultry, fish, vegetables, cereal, whole grain bread
deficiency effect
- neuropathies (co-ordination problems = walking), liver necrosis, infertility
uses
- improve mobility in arthritis
- prevent haemorrhage in pre-term babies
What is the source of Vitamin C? What is it known as? What are the effects of its deficiency? What are the effects of an overdose? What are its uses?
source
- potatoes, fruit juices, citrus juices, green vegetables, strawberries
deficiency effect
- haemorrhaging of limbs, poor wound healing, brusing, frequent infection, bleeding gums, red pimples
overdoes
- flatulence, diarrhoea, stomach pain
uses
- treats scurvy = caused by breakdown of collagen which results weak/crumbling bones, poor wound healing and tiredness, weakness, bruising, bleeding, aches and pains
What is the source of Vitamin B groups? What is it known as? What are the effects of its deficiency? What are the effects of an overdose? What are its uses?
consists of many well known individual vitamins
- Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folic acid
B3 - from meat/meat products, for use in arthritis treatment
B12 - from animal products, algae and bacteria, for use in anaemia treatment
Folic Acid - from liver/yeast extract/green vegetables, for use in heart health, prevention of birth defects
What are complementary medicines?
is a diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention which complements mainstream/orthodox medicine
- by contributing to a common whole
- by satisfying demand not met but orthodoxy
- by diversifying the conceptual framework of medicine
What are complementary alternative medicines?
is a group of non-orthodox and traditional therapies that may be used alone, or to complement orthodox or other non-orthodox therapies, in the treatment and prevention of disease in human and veterinary patients
- is more individual and well being focused
- aims to treat the whole person
What are acupuncture and aromatherapy?
based on Qi energy = yin/yang energy
- needles manually stimulate points along the meridian to unblock energetic blocks/energy flows
- treats back pain, migraine, menstrual problems
aromatherapy
- uses healing properties of essential oils
- each plant essence has specific characteristics
- oils are extracted from flowers, fruit, seeds and bark of certain plants by steam distillation.
What is ayurveda and chiropractic?
ayurveda
- aim to balance the 5 elements of a person dosha
- incorporates a blend of yoga, herbal medicine, massage and dietary advice
- treats arthritis, migraines and fatigue
chiropractor
- uses hands to manipulate joints and muscles
- improves mobility and posture
- used in neck, shoulder, back pain and sports injuries
