Fat-Soluble Vitamins

What factors affect bioavailability of vitamins?

1. Amount in the food 2. Way the food is prepared 3. How easily the food is digested and absorbed 4. Individuals nutritional status 5. Whether the vitamin is natural or synthetic

Name several functions of vitamin A in the body.

1. Vision 2. Cell Differentiation 3. Immune Function 4. Bone growth 5. Sperm production and fertility 6. Cell maintenance

What is beta carotene?

A provitamin which can be converted into Vitamin A

What is the job of retinol-binding protein?

Absorb light; changes shape of the vitamin A

What is Accutane? What is it used for? What is a potential side effect to monitor?

Accutane is a retinoid containing medicine Used to treat acne problems Side effects: Crohn's disease, liver damage, depression, birth defects or miscarriages

Name some food sources of vitamin A.

Active forms: Dairy, Fish, Meat Carotenoids (can be converted to vitamin A): sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, red peppers, tomatoes

Where is most vitamin E stored?

Adipose tissue (rest is stored in cell membranes)

What is the primary function of vitamin E?

Antioxidant!

Name a carotenoid.

Beta-carotene; can be used to make vitamin A in the body

What are the chief roles of vitamin K in the body?

Blood coagulation Bone health

Vitamin D is required for absorption of what mineral?

Calcium

How does a vitamin E deficiency affect red blood cells?

Causes premature breakdown of RBCs

The effects of vitamin A deficiency are most severe in what population group?

Children

What is vitamin K transported by?

Chylomicrons

What is a usual and reliable source of vitamin D in the diet?

Dairy and fish

How do antibiotics affect vitamin K production?

Destroys the bacteria in the gut that helps produce a major portion of the vitamin K in the body

Fat-soluble vitamins are solvent in what solution?

Dietary fat

How does vitamin E affect free radicals?

Donates an electron to them to stabilize them, and prevent them from causing damage

What does the term pro-vitamin mean?

Found in foods that are not directly usable by the body but can be converted into an active vitamin once absorbed

Why shouldn't you eat polar bear liver?

It is rich in vitamin A --> toxicity

Where is most of the body's vitamin A stored?

Liver

Where is vitamin K mainly stored?

Liver

What organs in the body are used to synthesize vitamin D?

Liver and Kidneys

Which form of vitamin K comes from animal sources?

Menaquinone Can be synthesized by our gut bacteria

What protein carrier transports fat-soluble vitamins from the small intestines to general circulation?

Micelle and Chylomicrons

Name the only plant source of vitamin D.

Mushrooms

Deficiency of vitamin A in third-world countries results in what condition?

Night blindness Hyperkeratosis

During which time of the year does Kentucky NOT receive UVB rays?

November-March

Name a major source of vitamin E in the diet.

Oils

What is the adult version of the vitamin D deficiency Rickets?

Osteomalacia

Define xerophthalmia.

Permanent damage to the cornea causing blindness due to prolonged vitamin A deficiency

Which form of vitamin K comes from plant sources?

Phylloquinone (P = PLANTS) Most active form in body

Vitamin K is routinely given in a single dose to individuals at what stage of development?

Premature infants just before birth

The dietary carotenoid lycopene protects against what cancer?

Prostate cancer

What factors affect bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins?

Requirement of bile salts and micelle

What form of vitamin A is used for vision?

Retinal

What is the active form of vitamin A?

Retinol

Describe what happens to children who do not get adequate vitamin D in childhood.

Rickets

What is the greatest source of vitamin D?

Sunlight (UVB radiation)

What are retinoids?

The family or group of substances that include retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid

What are carotenoids?

The yellow-red pigments that give carrots, butternut squash, and cantaloupe their vibrant, deep orange color; Provitamin A carotenoids include beta-carotene that can be used to make vitamin A in the body

Vitamin A supplements may be teratogenic. What does that mean?

They can cause birth defects or fetal development

How many different forms of vitamin A are active in the body?

Three

What is a free radical?

Unstable oxygen-containing molecule that can damage cells and steal energy

Vitamin E activity is enhanced by what vitamin?

Vitamin C

Name the fat-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin D, E, A, K

What is the relationship between vitamin E and vitamin A?

Vitamin E protects vitamin A from oxidation

What is the main function of vitamin K?

Vitamin K is a coagulant! Blood clotting. (K = KLOTTING)

Which fat-soluble vitamins are in milk?

Vitamins A, D, K