vitamins-nutritional pathology Flashcards
What are vitamins?
Organic molecules needed in small quantities for normal metabolism and other biochemical functions, such as growth or repair of tissue. They are essential parts of enzymatic reactions and are found in both plants and animals. Insufficient amounts can lead to various deficiencies.
What are the two main classes of vitamins?
Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.
What are the water-soluble vitamins?
Thiamine (B₁), Riboflavin (B₂), Niacin (B₃), Pyridoxine (B₆), Folate (B₉), Vitamin B₁₂, and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
What are the fat-soluble vitamins?
Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
What are the natural sources of Vitamin A?
Beta-carotene from leafy green and yellow vegetables, and retinol from animal dietary products.
What are the indications for Vitamin A supplementation?
Reducing morbidity and mortality in children, treating Vitamin A deficiencies, and treating skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
What are the clinical manifestations of Vitamin A deficiency?
Night blindness, bitot spots, conjunctival and corneal xerosis, retinopathy, keratomalacia, hyperkeratosis, and increased morbidity and mortality after bacterial and viral illnesses.
What are the two main forms of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D₂ (Ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D₃ (Cholecalciferol).
How is Vitamin D₃ synthesized?
It is synthesized in the skin by exposure to direct sunlight (ultraviolet B radiation) and from fish liver oils/saltwater fish.
What are the deficiencies associated with Vitamin D?
Osteomalacia in adults (soft bones)
osteoporosis in adults (brittle bones)
rickets in children.
What are the indications for Vitamin D supplementation?
Treating chronic diseases related to Vitamin D deficiency (e.g., rickets, osteomalacia) and preventing osteoporosis.
What is Vitamin E necessary for?
Formation of red blood cells, a healthy circulatory system, and prevention of oxidative damage to cell membranes and tissues. It is a natural antioxidant.
What are the deficiencies associated with Vitamin E?
Hemolytic anemia in infants, muscle weakness (particularly in children), and retinopathy of prematurity in newborns.
What is the indication for Vitamin E supplementation?
Treating Vitamin E deficiency.
What are the sources of Vitamin K?
Various foods high in Vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables.
What are the indications for Vitamin K supplementation?
Treating Vitamin K deficiency (e.g., in chronic alcoholics), treating anticoagulant toxicity, and treating hemorrhagic diseases of newborns.
what is the function of vitamin k
help with blood clotting helps form and keep
bone structure
What are some examples of water-soluble vitamins?
Vitamin b complex: thiamine (B1), Riboflavin(B2), Niacin(B30), pantothenic acid(B5), Pyridoxine(B6), Folic acid(B9) and Cyanocobalamin(B12)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
What are the sources of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)?
Fish, milk, lean meat, fortified breads, and cereals.
What are the deficiencies associated with Vitamin B1?
beri-beri, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiac failure.
What are the indications for Vitamin B1 supplementation?
Beri-beri, alcoholic neuritis, and neuritis in pregnancy.
What is the role of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in the body?
It is necessary for energy release from carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, and acts as a co-enzyme for hydrogen transfer
What are the deficiencies associated with Vitamin B2?
Angular cheilitis, atrophy of tongue papillae, burning eyes, dermatitis, and normocytic normochromic anemia.
What are the indications for Vitamin B2 supplementation?
Treatment of hyperlipidemia
and Pellagra
What are the sources of Vitamin B3 (Niacin)?
Yeast, liver, rice, meats, and liver synthesis.
What are the deficiencies associated with Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)?
Anemia, convulsions, sleep disturbances, peripheral neuropathy, and deficiencies induced by isoniazid therapy (TB medicine).
What are the indications for Vitamin B3 supplementation?
Treatment of hyperlipidemia and pellagra
What are the deficiencies associated with Vitamin B3?
Pellagra, which includes dermatitis, diarrhea, and mental disturbance.
What is Vitamin B6 necessary for?
It acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis and breakdown of proteins, makes energy available from glycogen in the liver and muscles, and is a co-factor for the desaturation of unsaturated fatty acids.
What are the sources of folic acid?
Various foods and supplements.
What are the indications for folic acid supplementation?
Preventing neural tube defects when supplemented before and during pregnancy, treating megaloblastic anemia, and supplementing in patients using certain medicines like methotrexate.
What are the sources of Vitamin B12?
Various foods, especially animal products
What are the indications for Vitamin B12 supplementation?
In strict
vegetarianism
In poor intestinal
malabsorption
What is Vitamin B12 necessary for?
Red blood cell formation and central nervous system functioning.
What is Vitamin C necessary for?
Formation of collagen, a major component of connective tissue, and wound healing.
What are the indications for Vitamin C supplementation?
Preventing scurvy and gingivitis and increasing the absorption of iron-containing supplements.
