Vitamins/minerals Flashcards
Who needs vitamin supplements?
People who don’t eat a varied diet
Ages >50
Women who are capable of becoming pregnant – folic acid
Anyone who obtains insufficient sunlight
Which vitamins are fat soluble?
Vitamins A, D, E, K
Which vitamins are water soluble?
B-complex Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin B6 Folic Acid Vitamin B12 Biotin Pantothenic acid Vitamin C
What is vitamin A?
Beta carotene
What are the two forms of vitamin A?
Retinol (found only in animal sources)
Provitamin A carotenoids
What is Vitamin A’s role?
Normal vision, reproduction, growth, immune function
What are food sources of beta-carotene?
Dark yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
Most dark green vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe, spinach, broccoli
Why is Vitamin D unique?
Body is able to synthesize
What is Vitamin D’s role?
Maintain normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus
Stimulating calcium and phosphorus absorption from GI tract
What are sources of Vitamin D?
Sunlight, fortified milk, fatty fish
What is the most active form of Vitamin E?
Alpha tocopherol
What is Vitamin E’s role?
Antioxidant
What is Vitamin E dangerous?
Amounts higher than 1000mg (1500IU) lead to an increased risk of bleeding
What are sources of Vitamin E?
Vegetable oils, sunflower oil , wheat germ oil, almonds, walnuts, dark green vegetables
What is Vitamin K responsible for?
Blood clotting, bone metabolism
What are the two forms of Vitamin K?
Manufactured by intestinal bacteria and food
What foods is Vitamin K found in?
Green leafy veggies, swiss chard, spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower
What can a Vit K deficiency lead to?
Bleeding tendency
When can Vit K deficiencies form?
After prolong antibiotic therapy
What is ascorbic acid’s role?
Collage formation
Facilitate iron absorption
What happens in a Vit C deficiency?
Scurvy
What are food sources of Vit C?
Citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, berries, asparagus
What happens in Vit C toxicity?
Nausea, diarrhea
What is Thiamin B1’s role?
Protein synthesis
What happens in a Thiamin B1 deficiency?
Beriberi neurological abnormalities
Who is at risk for a Thiamin B1 deficiency?
Chronic alcoholism
What are sources of Thiamin B1?
Foritifed grains, breads, tuna
What is Niacin B3’s role?
Maintaining nervous and GI systems
What are sources of Niacin B3?
Red meats, liver, peanuts, roasted coffee, enriched breads, cereal
Who is at risk for Niacin B3 deficiency?
Chronic alcoholics
What are symptoms of Niacin B3 deficiency?
4 Ds Dermatitis Diarrhea Dementia Death
Which is folic acid’s function?
Produce and maintain new cells (important during rapid growth and maturation of RBCs)
Why should women of childbearing age take folic acid?
There’s a link between folic acid deficiency and neural tube defects
Who is at risk for folic acid deficiency?
Elderly, chronic ETOH abuse
What could result with folic acid deficiency?
Anemia
What are sources of folic acid?
Green leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, liver, OJ
What is special about Vit B 12?
Only B vit that doesn’t exist in plants
Absorption depends on having intrinsic factor
What is Vit B 12’s role?
Interdependent relationship with folic acid in manufacture of RBCs
Maintain myelin sheath
What happens in a Vit B 12 deficiency?
Pernicious anemia
What are sources of Vit B 12?
Meat, milk, cheese, eggs
What are the two classifications of minerals?
Major and trace
What are major minerals?
Ca+, Na+, K+, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Sulfer, Chloride
What are trace minerals?
Iron, Iodine, Fluoride, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Chromium
What is Ca+ responsible for?
99% bones and teeth
1% plasma calcium - blood clotting, nerve transmission, muscle contraction/relaxation
What are sources of Ca+?
Milk/milk products, sardines, salmon, spinach, turnips, broccoli, bok choy, supplemented OJ
What is the relationship between Vit D and Ca+?
Vit D is necessary for proper absorption and use of dietary Ca+.
Ca+ balance in the blood achieved through Vit D and PTH
What can a Ca+ deficiency lead to?
Osteoporosis
What is the appropriate Ca+ intake?
3 servings of milk, yogurt, cheese plus non-dairy sources
Adequate intake needed during first 3 decades to achieve peak bone mass
What dose of Ca+ is best absorbed?
500 MG tabs
What is Na+ responsible for?
Transmission of nerve impulses
How many MG of Na+ is in 1 tsp?
2300
What does sodium free mean?
5 mg or less of Na+ per serving
What does very low sodium mean?
35 mg or less per serving
What does low sodium mean?
140 mg or less per serving
What does reduced sodium mean?
Usual sodium level reduced by 25%
What is K+ responsible for?
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Acid-base balance
Nerve and heart muscle impulses
What are sources of K+?
Bananas, lima beans, winter squash, baked potato (skin), dried apricots, cantaloupe, prune juice
What patients see high K+ levels?
Chronic renal failure
What are functions of Iron?
HgB formation
Where is iron deficiency common?
Adolescent girls and women of reproductive age
What are sources of iron?
Red meat, pork, poultry
Dried fruit such as raisins or apricots
