Nutrition Chapter 9

Name four vitamins that help maintain healthy blood and explain their roles

--Vitamin B6, folate, and Vitamin B12 are required for healthy development of RBC's; vitamin B6 is required for the first step of heme synthesis, Vitamins B12 and folate are required for DNA synthesis --Vitamin K supports blood clotting, by acting as a coenzyme assisting in the synthesis of many proteins involved in the coagulation of blood

Define osteoporosis and discuss its impact on a person's health and longevity

--A disease characterized by low bone mass. The bone tissue of a person w/ osteoporosis deteriorates over time becoming thinner and more porous --It makes people more likely to end up with fractures, and can increase the risk for infection and other related illnesses.

Discuss the factors that influence our risk for osteoporosis

--Aging increases osteoporosis risk --Women have a lower absolute bone density than men so they are more likely to end up with osteoporosis --Tobacco, alcohol and caffeine increases the risk

Identify and discuss the contributions of three major minerals and one trace mineral to bone health

--Calcium, the major mineral component provides structure to the bones and teeth, 99% of the calcium in the body is stored in the hydroxyapatite crystals built up on the collagen foundation of bone --Phosphorus also provides hardness of the bone by combining with calcium to form hydroxyapatite crystals --Magnesium helps regulate bone and mineral status. It influences the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals through its regulation of calcium balance & its interactions w/ vitamin D & PTH. --Fluoride, a trace mineral is stored in the teeth and bones. During the formation of baby and permanent teeth, fluoride combines w/ calcium & phosphorus to form fluorohydroxyapatite.

Describe the role of vitamin C in maintaining healthy collagen

--Collagen is a fibrous protein found in the matrix of connective tissues, providing strength to bone, teeth, skin, tendons, blood vessels, etc. --Vitamin C acts as a coenzyme to specific enzymes that are required to convert collagen's precursor, procollagen to collagen.

Describe the composition and activities of healthy bone

--Composition of bone provides strength and flexibility so they can withstand the compression, stretching, and twisting that occur thru daily activity --65% of bone composed of an assortment of minerals (mostly calcium & phosphorus); 35% is a mixture of organic substances, including collagen -- in bone growth, the size of bone increases --in bone modeling, the shape of bones is determined --in bone remodeling, the breakdown of older bone tissue and the formation of new bone tissue occurs thru adulthood. involves 2 steps: bone resorption and bone formation.

Identify and discuss the contributions of three trace minerals to blood health

--Erythrocytes (RBC's) transport oxygen --Leukocytes (WBC's) are key to immune function --Platelets are cell fragments that assist in the formation of blood clots that stop bleeding

Describe medical treatments and lifestyle changes used to manage osteoporosis

--Supplements (calcium & vitamin D)

Name two fat-soluble vitamins that support bone health and explain their roles

--Vitamin D regulates blood calcium levels by working with PTH. They regulate the absorption of calcium & phosphorus from the small intestine, absorbing more when needed and less when needs are lower; They also decrease or increase blood calcium levels by signaling kidneys to excrete more/less through urine; Vitamin D is also necessary for normal calcification of bone --Vitamin K assists in remodeling of bone, by assisting in the production of osteocalcin which is a protein involved in bone remodeling