Chapter 7 Vitamins

Why Might Low-Fat diet affect the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins?

when the fat intake is very low vitamin A absorption is impaired.

How can folate and vitamin B12 deficiency both cause microcytic anemia

without folate developing RBC cannot divide, they just grow bigger and these bigger RBC mature into abnormally large RBC (macrocytes) which lead to fewer RBC that often contain less hemoglobin resulting in this anemia and the B12 deficiency will cause the folate to not activate which then causes the above steps

Provitamin or Vitamin Precursor

a compound that can be converted into the active form of a vitamin

Hypercarotenemia

a condition cause by the accumulation of carotenoids in the adipose tissue, causing the skin to appear yellow-orange

Pellagra

a disease resulting from niacin deficiency, which causes dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia *if not heated cause death* - the 3 D's, 4 if not treated

Parathyroid Hormone

a hormone released by the parathyroid gland that acts to increase blood calcium levels

Pernicious Anemia

a macrocytic anemia resulting from vitamin B12 deficiency that occurs when dietary vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed due to lack of intrinsic factor.

Compare the functions of folate and vitamin B12

*when vitamin B12 is diffident it causes secondary folate deficiency -> folate is available, but cannot be activated due to the deficiency in B12

List some population groups that may benefit from taking vitamin &/or mineral supplements

- vegans & those who eliminate all dairy - infants and children - young women - pregnant women - older adults - people with dark skin - people with restricted diets - people taking medication - cigarette smokers and alcohol users

Neural Tube Defect

An abnormality in the brain or spinal cord that results from errors that occur during prenatal development

Folic Acid

An easily absorbed from of vitamin folate that is used in dietary supplements and fortified foods

Water-Soluble Vitamins

B vitamins Vitamins C *must be consumed regularly because most of these vitamins are rapidly depleted

What Food Groups Contain the Greatest Variety of Vitamins

Fresh fruits, veggies, and fish

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K

Relate the role of Vitamin C in the body to the symptoms of scurvy

Vitamin C is known for the maintenance and synthesis of Collagen (which is the connective tissue) and when Vitamin C is lacking the collagen cant be formed therefore the symptoms of scurvy appear.

Intrinsic Factor

a protein produced in the stomach that aids in the absorption of vitamin B12

Macrocytic Anemia

a reduction in the bloods hemoglobin content and hence capacity to carry oxygen that is characterized by abnormally large RBC

Xerophthalmia

a spectrum of eye conditions resulting from vitamin A deficiency that may lead to blindness *night blindness is an early stage of this

Antioxidants

a substance that decreases the adverse effects of reactive molecules on normal physiological function.

Free Radical

a type of highly reactive atom or molecule that causes oxidative damage *cause damage by snatching elections from DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, or unsaturated fatty acids.

Scurvy

a vitamin C deficiency disease characterized by bleeding gums, tooth lose, joint pain, bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes, and fatigue

Atrophic Gastritis

an inflammation of the stomach that results in reduced secretion of stomach acid, microbial overgrowth, and, in several cases, a reduction in the production of intrinsic factor.

Coenzyme

an organic nonprotein substance that binds to an enzyme to promote its activity *all the B vitamins act as a coenzyme*

Why is it recommended that vegans and older adults take vitamin B12 supplements ?

because B12 is only found in animal products and vegans do not eat animal products so they are not receiving B12, and for older adults they have a higher incidence for atrophic gastritis so B12 is recommended

Why do the leg bones bow when children are vitamin D deficient

because they are not receiving enough calcium which leads to weak bones and because the children are still growing it causes these abnormalities.

Retinoids

chemical forms of preformed vitamin A Includes: - retinal - retinol - retinoic acid

Describe the function of Vitamin E

it is an antioxidant that protects lipids throughout the body by neutralizing reactive oxygen compounds before they can cause damage protects membranes in: - RBC - WBC - nerve cells - and lung cells also protects cells from heavy metals

What is the role of Vitamin B6 in amino acid metabolism?

it is needed to synthesize nonessential amino acids

How does vitamin E protect membranes?

it neutralizes free radicals by donating one of its elections and the antioxidant function of vitamin E can be restored by another antioxidant ( vitamin C) which gives an electron back the v. E.

Explain how the safety of dietary supplements is monitored.

manufacturers are required to test their products to ensure identity, purity, strength, and composition.

Describe the Vitamin Information provided on Food Labels

pervious food labels were required to record the Daily Values of Vitamins C and A because they were a concern in the diet, but today Vitamin D is required to have the RDA's and AI's listed. C and A are not required but are still able to be on labels

Beriberi

results from deficiency of Thiamin, may manifest in one or two forms 1. dry beriberi: - causes weakness and nerve degeneration 2. wet beriberi: - causes heart changes

How does vitamin A help us see in the dark.

rhodopsin is a visual pigment in the eye. when light hits rhodopsin it causes it to break apart which send nerve signal to the brain which allows us to see light. when the light stimulus is gone rhodopsin reforms, retinal is lost during the reaction but if there is sufficient amounts of vitamin A in the blood this replaces the lost retinal allowing us to see in the dark. if there isn't suffienct vitamin A in the blood then there is a delay of this regeneration of rhodopsin which makes it hard to see in dim lighting

Discuss the dietary sources of Vitamins

the come from the foods you eat such as grains, proteins, dairy, fruits, and veggies

Gene Expression

the events of protein synthesis in which the information coded in a gene is used to synthesize a protein or a molecule of RNA

Bioavailability

the extent to which the body can absorb and use a nutrient

What does having 5% of the Daily Value for vitamin C indicate about the amount of that vitamin in a particular food?

the food would be considered a poor source of Vitamin C

Who regulates the safety of dietary supplements?

the manufacturers

Explain the function of Coenzymes

to promote activity of an enzyme

Explain the Roles of vitamin A in keeping eye healthy?

vitamin A can be converted from beta-carotene which is a provitamin found in carrots that help vision, Vitamin A also involved in the perception of light and is needed for cell differentiation. Vitamin A is also responsible for the maintenance of epithelial tissue (skin lining eyes, intestines, lungs, vagina, and bladder. when vitamin A is deficient the epithelial cells dont differentiate normally. The eye is particularly susceptible to this deficiency

Relate the functions of vitamin D to the symptoms that occur when it is deficient in the body

vitamin D increases production of proteins needed for the absorption of calcium in the intestines, in the bone it increases production of proteins needed for the differentiation of cells that break down bone. when there is a deficiency not enough calcium can be absorbed which causes a lack of differentiation between cells which allows the cells to break down bones

Discuss how vitamin K is involved in blood clotting

vitamin K is responsible for the synthesis of many of the clotting proteins like prothrombin. when vitamin K is deficient the blood will not clot because the proteins are not made correctly