MCBoM- Vitamins and Minerals

Question 1

B6

Answer 1

Widely distributed
Coenzyme for aminotransferase (swap with keto acid) in aa metabolism
-rare deficiency (but isoniazid causes, anti TB drug)

Question 2

Folic acid/B9

Answer 2

From veg, fruit, meat, eggs
For neural tube growth (pregnant women should take), deficiency- decreased DNA synthesis and cell division
Requires B12 for active form

Question 3

Cobalamine/B12

Answer 3

From liver, kidney, meat, eggs
Cofactor for enzymes that remove methyl groups (carries methyl groups), so for DNA synthesis
Deficiency- anaemia
Fat soluble (all other B are water soluble)

Question 4

Vitamin A

Answer 4

From liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, veg
Function- rhodopsin, retinoic acid, antioxidant
Deficiency- impaired vision, worldwide health problem
Fat soluble
Stored in liver

Question 5

Vitamin D

Answer 5

From dairy products, eggs, oily fish
Function- calcium absorption in intestine and kidney, and mobilisation to bone, regulated intracellular and blood calcium
Deficiency- rickets, only in children 6months-5 years, pregnant/breastfeeding women, 65years+, low sun exposure, dark skin
Excess- hypercalcification, hypercalcaemia with calcium2+ in blood
Fat soluble

Question 6

Vitamin E

Answer 6

From meat, fish, veg
Function- antioxidant
Deficiency- no specific consequence known
Fat soluble

Question 7

Vitamin C

Answer 7

From fruit, veg, milk
Function- collagen synthesis, antioxidant as free radical scavenger, allows iron absorption in gut
Deficiency- scurvy, but rare as 6 months store in body
Fat insoluble, water soluble

Question 8

Vitamin K

Answer 8

Widespread origins
For formation of blood clotting factors, warfarin antagonises
Deficiency- clotting problems (possible following long term antibiotic therapy and in new borns)
Fat soluble

Question 9

Essential minerals

Answer 9

Phosphorus
Magnesium
Chloride
Sulphur
Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Iron
Present in most foods, deficiencies rare

Question 10

Calcium

Answer 10

Need 700mg+ per day
From milk, cheese, fortified foods
Deficiency- children- rickets, adults- osteomalacia
Excess- calcification

Question 11

Sodium

Answer 11

Need 2000mg+ per day
From salt (NaCl), additives, most food
Deficiency- vomiting, diarrhoea, water loss, decrease in plasma volume
Excess- hypertension

Question 12

Potassium

Answer 12

Need 3500mg per day
From most foods
Deficiency- vomiting, diarrhoea, cardiac arrhythmias, neuromuscular weakness
Excess- renal failure, cardioplegia (heart stops)

Question 13

Iron

Answer 13

From fish, meat, liver, cereals, green veg
Needs 10-20mg a day
Ferritin is storage protein
Transferrin is iron carrier between tissues
Deficiency- anaemia, from inadequate intake, malabsorption or blood loss
Excess- liver problems, from repeated blood transfusions or increased iron uptake