Vitamins And Minerals Flashcards
What are vitamins?
Chemical substances, micronutrients, naturally found in a wide range of unprocessed plant and animal foods
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
A,D,E,K
What is the function of vitamin A?
Enables us to see in dim light
Helps children grow
Produces mucus
Keeps the skin healthy
What are the effects of deficiency in vitamin A?
The skin and mucus membranes become dry and infected
Children don’t grow properly
Night blindness
Can lead to blindness
What are the effects of excess vitamin A?
Can be toxic to the body
May damage development of unborn baby
Sources of vitamin A
Retinol:
Cheese, butter, eggs, milk, sardines, kidney
Beta carotene:
Spinach, kale, lettuce, orange/red/yellow fruit and veg
Sources of vitamin D
Sunlight, oily fish, veg fat spreads
Function of vitamin D
Enables calcium to be absorbed from the small intestine during digestion
Helps calcium to be deposited in the bones and teeth
What are the effects of deficiency in vitamin D?
Children: rickets
Adults: osteomalacia
Effects of excess vitamin D
RARE
excess calcium being absorbed - could lead to damage in kidneys & other organs, especially in young children and babies
Sources of vitamin E
Tocopherol:
Mainly found in plant foods, soya, corn oil, olive oil, nuts, seeds
Function of vitamin E
Antioxidant
What are the effects of deficiency in vitamin E
Rare
What are the effects of excess vitamin E
Rare
Sources of vitamin K
Phylloquinone:
Plant & animal foods, green leafy veg, liver, cheese, green tea
Functions of vitamin K
Enables blood to clot when injured - prevents further loss of blood
What are the effects of deficiency in vitamin K
Very rare in Uk, but some babies are given a shot of vitamin K when they are born
What are the water soluble vitamins?
B1, B2, B3, B9, B12, C
Sources of vitamin B1(thiamine)
Meat, milk, cheese, eggs, veg, fruit
Function of vitamin B1(thiamine)
Enables energy to be released from carbohydrate in the body cells during respiration
What are the effects of deficiency in vitamin B1(thiamine)
Beri-beri
Sources of vitamin B2(riboflavin)
Milk & milk products, cereal, rice, mushrooms
Function of Vitamin B2(riboflavin)
Enables energy to be released from carbohydrate, fat and protein in body cells during respiration