Vitamins and Minerals

Question 1

Vitamin make-up

Answer 1

Organic compounds containing carbon.

Question 2

Micronutrients are essential in ______ amounts.

Answer 2

small

Question 3

What are the functions of vitamins?

Answer 3

To PROMOTE and REGULATE body processes necessary for:

1) Growth
2) Reproduction
3) Maintenance of health

Question 4

How can we get nature’s multivitamins and minerals?

Answer 4

By eating foods in the colour of the rainbow.

Question 5

Water-soluble vitamins include:

Answer 5

Vitamin B, vitamin C

Question 6

Fat-soluble vitamins include:

Answer 6

ADEK

Question 7

Fat-soluble vitamin characteristics

Answer 7

Stored in body’s fat (adipose) tissue

Remain in our system longer than water soluble vitamins

Not readily excreted (can build up)

Too much of these can lead to toxic levels (i.e. Vitamin A-D-E)

Exception with fat soluble vitamins is Vitamin K

Question 8

Water-soluble vitamin characteristics

Answer 8

Water soluble vitamins

Excreted/ Flushed out of body if not used… not toxic

Exceptions are Vitamins B-6 & B-12
May not be flushed…excess amounts are not healthy

Because of the body’s limited vitamin storage capacity…
We need to consume appropriate amounts every day via food, or in supplement form

Question 9

Vitamin guidelines

Answer 9

General guideline:
If the % Daily Value is 5% or less, the food is a poor source of the given nutrient
if it is 10 to 19%, the food is a good source
If it is 20% or more, the food is an excellent source.

Question 10

Vitamin availability

Answer 10

Bioavailability: the extent to which the body can absorb and use nutrients

About 40 to 90% of vitamins in food are absorbed

Absorption occurs mainly in small intestine

Composition of diet and conditions in
digestive tract influence vitamin bioavailability

Question 11

Bioavailability is affected by:

Answer 11

Affected by:
Absorption
Fat-soluble vitamins: need dietary fat

b) Transport in blood
Water-soluble vitamins transporter - blood proteins
vitamins go directly from small intestine to blood
Fat-soluble vitamins transporter - chylomicrons
pass through the lymph before passing into blood

c) Conversion of inactive provitamins (vitamin precursors) into active vitamins

Question 12

The function of Vit A

Answer 12

Vitamin A = vision and growth and development

Promote and regulate the body’s activities

Question 13

The function of Vit K

Answer 13

Vitamin K = blood clotting and bone health

Promote and regulate the body’s activities

Question 14

The function of Vit B

Answer 14

Vitamin B = act as coenzymes

Promote and regulate the body’s activities

Question 15

Other functions of vitamins:

Answer 15

Act as coenzymes

Act as antioxidants protect against free radicals