Vitamins/Minerals Flashcards
Vitamin A
Cartene– precursor, provitamin
Toxic Level: 10,000 U
Sources: yellow/orange fruits, green leafy veggies (cantaloupe, fish liver, carrots, fortified skim milk, apricots, sweet potato)
Vitamin A Deficiency
- Nyctalopia (night blindness)- reversible; detected using dark adaptation test
- Xeropthalmia- corneal damage, NOT reversible
- Hyperkeratosis- dry scaly skin
Vitamin D
Cholesterol is precursor, UV light
7-Dehydrocholesterol–> D3 cholecalciferol–> D2 ergocalciferol
Sources: Sunlight, egg yolk, fortified milk
Vitamin D Deficiency
Rickets (soft bones)
Osteomalacia (adult rickets)
Vitamin E
Known as tocopherol, functions as antioxidant
*One of the least toxic vits
UL 1000mgs
Sources: veg oils, whole grains, green veggies, almonds
Vitamin E Deficiency
Hemolytic anemia
Vitamin K
Synthesized by bacteria in lower GI tract
No toxicity symptoms
Aids in blood clotting (forms prothrombin in liver)
Given pre-surgery
Ca metabolism
Vitamin K Sources & Deficiency
Sources: spinach, kale, broccoli, green leafy veg
Def: Hemorrhage (slow clotting)
*affected by mineral oil, antibiotics, anticoagulants
Blood thinners- consistent vit K intake
Vitamin B1
Properties
Thiamin water soluble *Lost in cooking as temp or pH rises *Heat stable in acid *better maintained in meat when cooked/roasted at low end temp
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Function & Sources
- Oxidation of CHO (inc. CHO, inc. need for B1)
- Metabolism of pyruvate
- Grains, wheat germ, *pork, liver
Thiamin (B1) Deficiency
Beriberi, muscle weakness, foot drop, memory loss, tachycardia
- Elevated plasma pyruvate level indicates Thiamin def.
Vitamin B2
Riboflavin
Lost in UV light (milk sold in opaque container)
Energy release from PROTEIN
RBC production
*Liver, kidney, meat, milk (animal protein)
Riboflavin (B2) Deficiency
Growth failure
*Cheilosis- cracked lips
*Angular stomatitis- mouth corner cracks
Magenta tongue
Niacin
Precursor: TYPTOPHAN
Metabolism of CHO, PRO & FAT
*protein, peanuts, cereal, chicken, rice, yeast, milk
Niacin Deficiency
Pellegra
*Dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia (3 Ds)
Bright, red tongue
Symmetrical, pigmented rash in sunlight
Folate
*Coenzyme for DNA synthesis
Forms RBC in bone marrow
Prevents neural tube defects
*fortified cereal, liver, kidney, leafy greens, citrus fruits, lentils, beans
Folate Deficiency
Megaloblastic, Macrocytic anemia
Diarrhea, fatigue
Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine
Coenzyme in amino acid metabolism (deamination/transamination- digestion & absorption)
Increase PRO= Increased pyridoxine
*meat, wheat, corn, yeast, pork, liver, cereals
Pyridoxine (B6) Deficiency
Seizures, anemia, dermatitis, glossitis, peripheral neuropathy
Vitamin B12
Cyanocobalamin (contains cobalt)
Bound by intrinsic factor in gastric juice
Coenzyme in PRO synthesis, Forms RBC
*animal proteins (liver, meat, milk, eggs, fish, cheese)
Cyanocobalamin (B12) Deficiency
Macrocytic, megaloblastic anemia
Pernicious anemia- after gastrectomy or removal of ileum–Due to lack of IF
*Deficiency rare
Pantothenic acid
Functions as Coenzyme A- in energy release Synthesis of fatty acid (by intestinal bacteria) Rare deficiency (paresthesia in feet)
Vitamin C- Ascorbic acid
Most easily destroyed vit, structure like glucose
Antioxidant
Needs acid pH
Destroyed by heat, alkaline pH, oxidation
Vitamin C- Ascorbic acid
Functions/Sources
Changes proline into hydroxyproline into collagen, which strengthens intercellular substances
- wound healing
- aids iron absorption
- citrus fruits, potatoes, papaya, dark greens, yellow veggies
Vitamin C- Ascorbic acid
Deficiency
Scurvy
poor wound healing
bleeding gums
petechiae
Biotin
Synthesized by intestinal bacteria, inactivated by avidin (protein in raw egg white)
*Coenzyme in FA synthesis, converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate in gluconeogenesis
*liver, kidney, egg yolk, yeast
Deficiency: muscle pain, dermatitis, glossitis
Calcium
Most abundant mineral in body
Regulated by parathyroid hormone
Calcitonin lowers serum Ca by inhibiting bone reabsorption
Calcium
Functions/sources/deficiency
Blood clotting, cardiac fn, nerve transmission, smooth muscle contractility
Dairy, leafy veggies, legumes
Def- hypcalcemia leads to tetany (irregular muscles contractions)
Phosphorus
Part of DNA molecule, RNA, ATP, *2nd most abundant mineral Phospolipids transport fat through lymph and blood *bone/teeth *best source: animal proteins Def rare
Iron
Trace mineral Part of hemoglobin Food iron: ferric *MOST absorbable form: FERROUS Stored: ferritin (best assessment parameter for iron status) *Oxygen transport
Iron Sources
Heme iron: animal foods, meat, fish poultry (MFP factor)
Non-heme: cereals, vegetables, poorly absorbed; absorption aided by gastric juice, vit C.
*Ca helps if oxalates are present (oxalates bind iron, Ca binds oxalates)
Does NOT aid absorption: eggs, tea, milk, cheese
Iron Deficiency
Pale tongue, fatigue, anemia, *spoon-shaped nails
Magnesium
Part of chlorophyll 50% in bone, 50% in cells *PRO and FA synthesis Stabilizes structure of ATP High PRO, Ca, Vit D increases need *most foods, milk, bread Def rare- tremors
Zinc
Trace mineral
- excess leads to copper or iron deficiency
- increased taste acuity
- enhances insulin action
- animal proteins
Zinc deficiency
reduced immune fn
alopecia
poor wound healing
hypogeusia
Iodine
Trace mineral
Part of thyroxine
*seafoods, iodized salt
Def- goiter
Fluoride
Trace mineral
teeth, bones
Source: soil, water
Def- dental caries
Copper
Trace mineral
Attacher to protein- ceruplasmin
Hemoglobin synthesis
Aids in absorption
Source: liver, kidney, shellfish
Def- rare- microcytic anemia, neutropenia
*Wilson’s disease: low serum copper, genetic absence of liver enzyme
Selenium
Antioxidant
Cooperates with Vit E
Tissue respiration
*soil, grains, meat, fish, poultry, dairy
Def- myalgia, cardiac myopathy
Managanese
CNS
whole grains, legumes, nuts
Def unlikely
Chromium
Absorption enhanced by Vit C, niacin
Aids insulin action and required for glucose metabolism (Cr & Zn)
*yeast, oysters, potatoes, liver
Def- insulin resistance
Cobalt
Exists with B12
Stored in liver
Maturation of RBC
Related to B12 def
Sulfur
Occurs as 3 AAs
Component of organic molecules
*Animal protein sources ar best
Choline
Component of lecithin
Transports lipids as acetylcholine
*Fat in eggs, milk, liver, soybeans
