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Nutrition 1 (Semester I) > 8a. Vitamins - Fat Soluble > Flashcards

8a. Vitamins - Fat Soluble Flashcards

(134 cards)

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1
Q

Who coined the phrase ‘vitamines’?

A

Casimir Funk

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2
Q

What is a vitamer?

A

Different chemical forms of each vitamin

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3
Q

How many vitamins are there?

A

13

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4
Q

What are the key functions of vitamins?

A 
Supporting immune system
Regulating gene expression
Supporting neurological activity
Facilitating ATP production
Producing blood cells
Regulating hormones
Facilitating physiological functions
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5
Q

What are vitamins?

A

Carbon containing compounds that are essential to the body in small amounts for normal growth and function

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6
Q

In general, can the body produce vitamins?

A

No (except vit D)

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7
Q

Do supplements offer the same therapeutic advantages as consuming them in food?

A

No, as the vitamins need to work as part of a team

They can’t work in isolation

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8
Q

What are vitamins co-factors for?

A

Vitamin-dependent enzymes

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9
Q

Which are the fat-soluble vitamins?

A

A
D
E
K

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10
Q

How are fat-soluble vitamins absorbed?

A

With fat in the small intestine
Travel into the lymphatic capillaries
Then into the blood

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11
Q

Which are the water-soluble vitamins?

A

Bs

C

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12
Q

How are water-soluble vitamins absorbed?

A

In the small intestine directly into the blood

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13
Q

Which type of vitamins are more easily excreted?

A

Water-soluble

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14
Q

What’s the easiest way to maintain levels of water-soluble vitamins?

A

Little and often throughout the day

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15
Q

What is vitamin insufficiency?

A

Sub-clinical deficiency

Vague symptoms

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16
Q

What is vitamin deficiency?

A

Clinical signs and symptoms

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17
Q

How does vitamin insufficiency progress to vitamin deficiency?

A
  1. Preliminary reduction of stores
  2. Reduction in enzyme activity
  3. Physiological impairment (early signs and symptoms)
  4. Classical deficiency syndromes
  5. Terminal tissue pathology
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18
Q

Which vitamins are people more likely to be deficient in?

A

Vit B12

Vit D

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19
Q

What are the vitamers/active forms of vit A?

A

Retinol
Retinal
Retinoic Acid

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20
Q

What does retinol support?

A

Retina health

Vision

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21
Q

What does retinal support?

A

Rod and cone cells in retina

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22
Q

What does retinoic acid support?

A

Growth and differentiation of epithelial cells

Skin health

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23
Q

What is pro-vitamin A?

A

Precursor to the active form of vit A (retinol)

Found in non-animal foods

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24
Q

Where is pro-vitamin A converted into retinol?

A

SI

Liver

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25
What is carotene?
An example of pro-vitamin A
26
What is pre-formed vit A?
Active form of vit A (retinol) that is ready to use by the body Found in animal foods
27
Examples of vit A food sources
``` Mango Squash Sweet potato Carrots Spinach Egg yolks Fish oils Liver ```
28
Why are dietary carotenes not considered toxic?
They're only converted to vit A as and when needed
29
What percentage of carotenes are absorbed in the small intestine?
Between 5-60%
30
What is needed in a meal to optimise the absorption of carotenes?
Healthy fats | Lightly steamed
31
Which gene is needed to convert carotenes to retinol in the SI/liver?
BCO1
32
What can reduce carotene conversion in the SI/liver?
Liver disorders Hyperlipidaemia Diabetes Hypothyroidism
33
What can excessive intake of carotenes lead to?
Yellowing of skin
34
What percentage of pre-formed vit A is absorbed by the SI/liver?
70-90%
35
Functions of vit A
``` Reproduction Eye health Differentiation of cells Immunity Systemic immunity ```
36
What are the reproductive functions of vit A?
Sperm synthesis | Egg development and implantation
37
What are the eye health functions of vit A?
Required for the light-sensitive protein (rhodopsin) that converts light into an electrical signal that goes into the brain (creating an image)
38
What are the cell differentiation functions of vit A?
Regulating gene expression | Synthesis of glycoproteins that support bone, teeth and skin development
39
What are the immunity functions of vit A?
Supports first line of defence (skin and mucous membrane barrier) T-cell proliferation IL-2 secretion
40
What are the systemic immunity functions of vit A?
AO properties
41
What are the therapeutic uses of vit A in reproduction?
Infertility
42
What are the therapeutics uses of vit A in eye health?
Photosensitivity Visual loss Night blindness Senile cataracts
43
What are the therapeutic uses of vit A in cell differentiation?
``` Acne Anaemia Hair loss (women) Fracture repair OA GIT ulceration Periodontal disease ```
44
What are the therapeutic uses of vit A in immunity?
Recurrent infections
45
What are the therapeutic uses of vit A in systemic immunity?
Cancer prevention
46
What are the signs/symptoms of a vit A deficiency?
``` Vision impairment at night Hyperkeratosis of skin Acne Eczema Poor wound healing Poor bone growth Poor sense of taste/smell Lowered immunity ```
47
What states/conditions can affect the absorption of vit A?
Alcoholism Poor gut health Conditions that affect fat absorption Zinc deficiency
48
Why is it important to optimise the intake of zinc-rich foods?
Required to make retinol binding protein | Without that, vit A is trapped in the liver and can't be used
49
What is the function of retinol binding protein?
Moves vit A out of storage in the liver to the tissues for utilisation
50
What conditions can vit A toxicity lead to?
Birth defects Dry, red scaling skin Increased osteoclast activity/bone fractures Damage to liver cells, causing liver disease Hyperlipidaemia Amenorrhoea
51
When taking which drug should you avoid vit A supplementation?
Warfarin | decreases vit K absorption, increasing bleeding risk
52
What are the two types of vit D?
Ergocalciferol D2 - plants | Cholecalciferol D3 - animals
53
Examples of vit D food sources
Mushrooms Oily fish Egg yolks
54
Where can we get vit D from other than food?
Sunlight
55
Can vit D be used directly?
No, it has to be converted first | hydroxylated
56
Where is vit D stored and activated?
Liver | Kidneys
57
What is the active form of vit D called?
1,25-Calcitriol
58
What is the optimal range for vit D?
75-125 nmol/L
59
What vit D serum amount is considered to be deficient?
Below 25 nmol/L
60
When are vit D serum levels usually at their highest and lowest?
Highest - end of summer | Lowest - end of winter
61
How long can vit D be stored in the liver for?
4 months
62
Which version of vit D is favoured for supplementation?
D3 More potent Stays in circulation longer
63
What are the functions of vit D?
``` GIT health Anti-cancer Bone health Immunity Insulin ```
64
What are the GIT functions of vit D?
Vit D receptor (VDR) regulates mucosal inflammation Helps commensal bacterial colonies to grow Stabilises tight junctions
65
What are the anti-cancer functions of vit D?
Enhances anti-tumour activity of innate immune cells | Inhibits angiogenesis
66
What are the bone health functions of vit D?
Supports bone density (with K2) by increasing intestinal Ca absorption
67
What are the immunity functions of vit D?
Regulates T-helper cells Produces antibacterial peptides Reduces inflammatory cytokines
68
What are the insulin functions of vit D?
Activates transcription of insulin gene (increasing insulin secretion) Increases cellular sensitivity to insulin
69
What are the therapeutic uses of vit D in GIT health?
Intestinal inflammation
70
What are the therapeutic uses of vit D in anti-cancer?
Cancer prevention/support
71
What are the therapeutic uses of vit D in bone health?
Osteoporosis Osteomalacia Rickets
72
What are the therapeutic uses of vit D in immunity?
Allergies AI Infections Musculoskeletal pain reduction
73
What are the therapeutic uses of vit D in insulin?
Diabetes 2 and 1
74
Which population groups would benefit from vit D with regards to bone health?
Children | Elderly
75
How are the actions of vit D mediated through the body?
Vitamin D receptor (VDR)
76
Where is the VDR found?
In the nucleus of each cell
77
How many genes is VDR activation thought to regulate?
100-1250
78
Why do vits A and D need to be balanced?
For gene transcription
79
How do vits A and D work together in gene transcription?
Vit D VDR and vit A RXR (Retinoid X Receptor) join to form a complex with DNA for transcription
80
What are the signs/symptoms of a vit D deficiency?
``` Osteoporosis Osteomalacia Rickets Asthma Allergies Infections Non-specific MSK pain/fatigue ```
81
What can cause vit D deficiency?
``` Inadequate sun exposure Overuse of sunscreen Excessive intake of animal protein/calcium Lack of dietary fats Lack of magnesium Impaired liver functionality Poor intestinal absorption ```
82
What is a co-factor for vit D synthesis?
Magnesium
83
Which drugs increase the need for vit D supplementation?
Anticonvulsants (increase osteomalacia risk) Barbiturates Corticosteroids
84
At what dosage can vit D toxicity occur?
50,000iu/day
85
What are the two main types of vit E?
Tocopherols | Tocotrienols
86
Which form of vit E is recognised for human nutrition?
Alpha-tocopherol
87
What percentage of vit E is destroyed by freezing?
80%
88
What percentage of vit E is destroyed by heating?
30%
89
Examples of vit E food sources
``` Avocado Veg/seed oils Nuts Seeds Dark leafy veg ```
90
How does the liver secrete vit E (alpha-tocopherols) into the body?
Via lipoproteins
91
Where is vit E mostly circulated to?
Adipose tissue
92
Why does polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake increase the requirement for vit E?
To protect the fatty acid double bonds from oxidation
93
What is the naturally sourced version of vit E?
d-alpha-tocopherol
94
What is the synthetically produced version of vit E?
dl-alpha-tocopherol
95
Why should dl-alpha-tocopherol vit E be avoided?
Derived from petroleum oil
96
What are the functions of vit E?
``` Antioxidant Immunity Skin repair Endocrine health Anti-coagulant ```
97
What are the therapeutic functions of vit E as an anti-oxidant?
``` CV disease Male fertility Healthy ageing Cataracts AZD/cognitive decline Cancer prevention ```
98
What are the therapeutic uses of vit E in immunity?
Infections | HIV/AIDS
99
What are the therapeutic uses of vit E in skin health?
Acne | Scarring
100
What are the therapeutic uses of vit E in endocrine health?
Diabetes 2 and 1 Menopause Dysmenorrhoea
101
What are the therapeutic uses of vit E as an anti-coagulant?
CV disease
102
What are the anti-oxidant functions of vit E?
Protects PUFAs, nerve sheaths and cholesterol from oxidation
103
Which two nutrients support vit E activity?
Vit C | Selenium
104
How do vit C and selenium support vit E?
Rejuvenates any oxidised vit E
105
What are the immunity functions of vit E?
Increases phagocyte activity Differentiation of mature T-cells in the thymus Mild anti-inflammatory properties
106
What are the skin repair functions of vit E?
``` Topical use (but mechanism not known) ```
107
What are the endocrine functions of vit E?
Improves insulin action | Modulates oestrogen receptors and activity
108
What are the anti-coagulant functions of vit E?
Inhibits platelet aggregation | Inhibits vit K activity (reducing clotting factors)
109
What are the vit E deficiency signs and symptoms?
Easy bruising Slow healing Nerve damage
110
When taking which drug should you be cautious with high dose vit E supplementation?
Warfarin
111
What are the K vitamers called?
K1 - Phylloquinone K2 - Menaquinone K3 - Menadione
112
What is the dietary source of vit K1?
Green leafy veg
113
How does vit K1 get utilised in the body?
Needs to be converted to K2
114
How is vit K2 formed?
Synthesised by bacteria in SI | Found in fermented foods
115
How can you support K2 production in the intestine?
Probiotics
116
Where in the SI is K2 formed?
Jejunum | Ileum
117
What is the active form of vit K?
K2
118
Why don't we use K3?
Synthetic | Toxic
119
What helps to increase the absorption of vit K?
Eating with healthy fats
120
Why is K2 better as a supplement than K1?
Active form Better absorbed Tends to stay in body longer
121
Where is vit K stored?
In the liver | but only small amounts
122
What percentage of vit K is stored in the liver?
30-40%
123
What can reduce the absorption of vit K?
High vit A intake Aspirin Low bile secretion Conditions that affect fat absorption
124
Examples of vit K food sources
Natto Dark green leafy veg Fermented foods
125
What are the functions of vit K?
Blood clotting | Bone mineralisation
126
What role does vit K have in blood clotting?
Required for 4 of 13 clotting factors
127
What role does vit K have in bone mineralisation?
Required to synthesise osteocalcin - a calcium binding protein in bones
128
Which vitamin regulates the synthesis of osteocalcin in bone?
Vit D
129
What are the therapeutic uses of vit K in blood clotting?
Prevents bleeding
130
What are the therapeutic uses of vit K in bone mineralisation?
Osteoporosis | Prevents calcium build up in kidneys and arteries
131
What are the signs/symptoms of vit K deficiency?
Excessive bleeding Bruising Bone fractures Soft tissue calcification
132
Can vit K be toxic?
K1 and K2 not toxic | K3 can be
133
Why might a vit K injection to new borns not be a good idea?
Preservatives Synthetic chemicals Not tested for adverse effects Larger dose given than required
134
What are the alternatives to a vit K injection to new borns?
Delayed cord clamping Increase intake of vit K rich foods before due date Nettle leaf infusions

Nutrition 1 (Semester I) (15 decks)

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