Vitamins and Minerals

Question 1

Vitamins

Answer 1

Organic compounds required in small amounts for growth and maintenance
Essential for energy and metabolic processes
Several vitamins are inactive in native form and converted in body to active
RDA: Recommended Dietary Allowance
AI: Adequate Intake
UL: Tolerable upper level: Not a target
EAR: Estimated Average Requirement

Question 2

Classifications of Vitamins

Answer 2

Fat soluble: Stored in body; minimizes deficiency/increases potential for toxicity. A D E K
Water soluble: Not stored in body except B12; must be consumed regularly. C and B complex

Question 3

Multivitamin Supplement

Answer 3

Ensure dose is moderate.
Excess Vit A increases risk of osteoporosis in post menopausal women and birth defects in pregnancy
Excess Vit E: Increase risk of death in olds with chronic health issues
Use a modest multivitamin supplying 100% or less per RDA

Question 4

Key Vitamins and Times

Answer 4

Folic Acid: Pregnancy
Vit D: Postmenopausal women or people at risk of fracture
B12: People over 50

Question 5

Vitamin A

Answer 5

Therapeutic Uses: Prevention/correction of Vit A deficiency
Actions: Adaptation to dim light. Embryogenesis/spermatogenesis. Immunity/growth. Function integrity of the skin and MM
Deficiency: Night blindness. Xerophtalmia. Degeneration of the cornea. Skin lesions
Toxicity: BIRTH DEFECTS. liver injury, bone related disorders. Hypervitaminosis A: V/jaundice/splenomegaly

Question 6

Vitamin D

Answer 6

Therapeutic Uses: Deficiency, Hypoparathyroidism, rickets, osteomalacia
Actions: Ca and phosphorus absorption from GI/bone and decreased renal excretion. Maintains bone health
Deficiency: rickets and osteomalacia
Toxicity: Hypervitaminosis D: hypercalcemia, cardiac effects. Treat by not taking VIt D, reduce Ca intake, and potentially steroids

Question 7

Vitamin E

Answer 7

Therapeutic Uses: No clear use
Actions: Antioxidant and protects RBCs from hemolysis
Deficiency: RARE af. Only seen in pts with fat malabsorption
Toxicity: Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke; inhibits PLT aggregation. Increase risk of cancer

Question 8

Vitamin K

Answer 8

Therapeutic Uses: Hemorrhage prevention in newborns, immediately after delivery. Warfarin antidote to reverse bleeding
Actions: Synthesis of prothrombin and clotting factors 7 9 and 10.
Deficiency: Malabsorption syndromes
Toxicity: No storage, metabolize and secrete rapidly. Obtained in diet and synthesized in normal gut flora

Question 9

Vitamin C

Answer 9

Therapeutic Uses: Treat/prevent Scurvy. Reduce intensity/duration of a cold
Actions: Adrenal steroid synthesis, folic acid to folinic acid, and regulation of respiratory system. Required for collagen production. Antioxidant. Helps absorb Iron
Deficiency: Scurvy; Faulty bone and tooth development, loosening of teeth, gingivitis, poor wound healing
Toxicity: No concern, water soluble

Question 10

Vitamin B1 - Thiamine

Answer 10

Uses: Treat and prevent thiamine deficiency
Actions: Carbohydrate metabolism
Deficiency: Wet beriberi; fluid accumulation, CV complications, EKG abnormalities, circulatory collapse. Dry Beriberi; not as bad, neuro and motor deficits (foot drop).
Wernicke’s Encephalitis with chronic alcohol use; CNS system involvement can be permanent and treated with Thiamine
Toxicity: None. Water soluble

Question 11

Vitamin B2

Answer 11

Riboflavin
Uses: Migraines and riboflavin deficiency
Actions: Coenzyme for multiple oxidative reactions when converted to active forms
Deficiency: Oral; cracks. Vascularization of cornea. Itchy dermatitis of scrotum or vulva
Toxicity: None

Question 12

Vitamin B3

Answer 12

Niacin, Nicotinic Acid
Uses: Hypercholesterolemia/triglyceridemia (not often cause meds are better). Deficiency of B3 (Pellagra)
Actions: Reduce Chol and tris. Oxidation reduction reactions
Deficiency: Pellagra; rough skin and cracking
Toxicity: None, Large doses can cause flushing.

Question 13

Vitamin B6

Answer 13

Pyridoxine
Uses: Useful af. Deficiency. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (pregnant puking)
Actions: Metabolism of AA’s and proteins in its active form
Deficiency: Seborrheic dermatitis, anemia, peripheral neuritis, seizures
Toxicity: High doses can cause ataxia and numbness of hands/feet

Question 14

Vitamin B12 - Cyanocobalamin

Answer 14

Uses: Deficiency; anemia related
Actions: catalyze the conversion of folic acid to its active form. Influences cell growth and division via DNA synthesis
Deficiency: Megaloblastic or macrocytic anemia. Pernicious anemia d/t absences of intrinsic factor
Toxicity: None

Question 15

Vitamin B9 - Folic Acid/Folate

Answer 15

Uses: Megaloblastic anemia. Folate deficiency. Ensure adequate levels in pregnancy
Actions: DNA synthesis/replication
Deficiency: Megaloblastic, macrocytic anemia. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, oral and GI mucosal injury. Neural tube defects; deficiency in early pregnancy
Toxicity: None

Question 16

MacroMinerals

Answer 16

Macrominerals: required in amounts >100mg/day.
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus.

Question 17

Trace Elements

Answer 17

Required in adults b/w 1-100mg/day
Copper, Fluoride, Iodine, Manganese, and Zinc

Question 18

Ultratrace Elements

Answer 18

<1mg/day
Chromium and Selenium.
Also arsenic, boron, and molybdenum

Question 19

Zinc

Answer 19

Uses: Reduce severity and duration of cold. Improve wound healing
Actions: Cell division, tissue repair, and wound healing. Immunity and response to infection. Carries a role in glucose and lipid metabolism.
Deficiency: Multiple effects - impairs growth velocity or leads to growth failure. Can also lead to hypogonadism, impotence, delayed sex maturation
Toxicity: GI (nausea). Copper deficiency long-term