water soluble vitamins Flashcards
what is the chemical name for vitamin b1?
thiamin
what are the three functions of thiamin?
-oxidation of nutrients
-release of energy
-co enzyme for the break down of glucose
what are four food sources of vitamin b1?
-cereal grains
-white and whole wheat flour
-brown rice
-fortified breakfast cereals
if there is a deficiency of vitamin b1 what is the effect on the oxidation of nutrients?
-glucose and nutrients are only partially broken down to pyruvic acid
what are symptoms of a build up of pyruvic acid? what disease are these also symptoms of?
-muscle weakness
-palpitations
-degeneration of nerves
-beriberi disease
what are the two types of beriberi disease and what are the symptoms of each?
wet beriberi= the patient has fluid in the tissue
dry beriberi= the patient has severe emaciation and wastage of the tissues
where is beriberi disease most common and why?
Asia where the diet staple is white rice
what is the chemical name for vitamin b2?
-riboflavin
what is the function of vitamin b2?
-forms part of the enzyme system concerned in the oxidation of glucose and the release of energy in body cells
what are four sources of vitamin b2?
-dairy products
-liver
-eggs
-kidney
what are 3 symptoms of a deficiency of vitamin b2?
-cracks appear at the corners of the mouth and nose
-tongue becomes red, swollen and dry
-blood vessels may invade the corneas
what are the 2 chemical names given to vitamin b3?
-niacin or nicotinic acid
what are four sources of vitamin b3?
-meat
-fish
-dairy products
-pulses
what is the name of the disease that occurs from a prolonged deficiency of vitamin b3?
pellagra
what are the three symptoms in detail of pellagra? (3 D’s)
-diarrhoea= lining of the gastrointestinal tracts becomes inflamed
-dermatitis= scaling and discoloration of parts of the skin exposed to the sun
-dementia= occurs in advanced cases and ranges from anxiety to hallucinations
a diet based on what staple food usually result in pellagra and why?
-maize and the niacin is in a complex form and is therefore unavailable to the body
what are four foods that are rich in folate?
-liver
-green leafy vegetables
-fortified breakfast cereals
-pulses
what are the 3 functions of folate?
-works with vitamin b12 to form healthy blood cells
-normal cell division
-normal structure of the nervous system
when is folate particularly important to take?
-conception, women who are planning pregnancy must have an adequate folate intake
-folate intake must also be adequate during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy to help develop the babies spine
is it likely to be deficient in folate?
-yes it can be likely
a low intake of folate during pregnancy can result in what?
-neural tube defects such as spina bifida
a deficiency of folate effects the cells doing what?
-dividing
what cells are particularly effected by a deficiency of folate? what is the effect of this?
-cells that are making red blood cells and those lining the gastrointestinal tract
-the effect on red cell formation results in megaloblastic anemia in which cells are larger and immature and released as macrocytes
what are 5 symptoms of a deficiency of folate?
-loss of appetite
-nausea
-constipation
-sore mouth
-smooth red tongue
how are white blood cells affected when folate intake is inadequate?
-they may suffer suppression of the immune system and are therefore more susceptible to illness
who are most vulnerable to a deficiency of folate and why? (3 examples)
-alcoholics because alcohol limits the absorption of folate
-elderly people are reported to have a low red blood cell count due to a deficiency in folate
-anti inflammatory bowel diseases reduces a persons ability to absorb folate
what is the chemical name for vitamin b6?
-pyridoxine
what are three sources of vitamin b6?
-meat
-fortified breakfast cereals
-wholegrains
what are the 5 functions of vitamin b6?
-involved in many enzyme systems
-protein synthesis
-metabolism of amino acids
-breakdown of glycogen
-formation of hemoglobin
folate, vitamin b12 and b6 are necessary for what?
-the maintenance of normal blood homocysteine levels
why might a deficiency of vitamin b6 occur?
-it is rare because it can be synthesized by gut flora
-it may occur by a complication of disease or prolonged use of drugs
what are 4 symptoms of a deficiency of vitamin b6?
-anemia
-smooth tongue
-dermatitis
-nervous and muscular system signs e.g. irritability, headaches and fatigue
what is the chemical name of vitamin b12?
-cobalamin
what are four food sources of b12?
-beef
-fish
-milk
-fortified breakfast cereals
who are most likely to have a deficiency in b12? why?
-vegetarians and vegans
-b12 is not found in any plant sources
-plant milks are fortified with b12 usually to provide some of the nutrient
what are the 2 main functions of vitamin b12?
-energy production
-involved in more than one enzyme system and along with folic acid is used for the formation of red blood cells
what chemical element does vitamin b12/ cobalamin contain? what does it do?
-cobalt which is used to promote the normal function of the nervous system
together b12 with folate and b6 is needed for what?
-maintenance of normal blood homocysteine levels
why is a deficiency in b12 common in older people?
-they may have impaired absorption which is usually due to inflammation of stomach lining
-failure of cell division leads to megaloblastic anemia which therefore makes red blood cells enlarge and are now unable to absorb b12
what is one major symptom of a deficiency of b12?
-neurological damage develops and there is a degeneration of the nerve tracts at the ends of the spinal cord
what is another name for vitamin c?
ascorbic acid
what are 5 food source of vitamin c?
-citrus
-berries
-green vegetables
-peppers
-tomatoes
what are 6 functions of vitamin c?
-antioxidant which protects cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals
-involved with the synthesis of collagen which is required for normal structure and function of connective tissue such as skin, cartilage and bones
-normal structure of blood vessels and neurological function
-increases the absorption of non haem iron in the gut
-promotes normal immune system
-promotoes detoxification of foreign substances in the liver
what disease can a serious deficiency of vitamin c lead to and what occurs in the disease?
-scurvy
-symptoms of this disease are not known for about 4-6 months
-symptoms of the disease are fatigue, weakness and aching muscles
what are the symptoms of scurvy when both vitamin c and collagen synthesis are reduced?
-bleeding gums
-bone damage
-poor wound healing
name 4 groups that can have low levels of vitamin C
-alcoholics
-elderly people
-smokers (more free radicals)
-people with chronic diseases
acute high doses of vitamin c are associated with what symptoms ?
-diarrhoea and intestinal discomfort
how is vitamin c lost when cooking?
-very soluble in water and therefore leaches out when cooking
-it also oxidizes at high temperatures and when it is exposed to light
what is the name of the enzyme and what does it do in vitamin c sources?
-ascorbic acid oxidase
-the enzyme is separate from the vitamin itself
-it is denatured in temps above 60 degrees and is therefore destroyed during cooking
what way is it best to eat foods rich in vitamin c?
-raw form
