Vitamins and Minerals

Question 1

What is the role of calcium?

Answer 1

• Maintain healthy bones and teeth,
• INTRACELLULAR SIGNALLING,
• Metabolic processes,
• control of muscle contraction,
• blood clotting

Question 2

What are the main sources of calcium?

Answer 2

• Dairy products (most calcium),
• SOme green leafy veg,
• Soya products and fish

Question 3

What occurs if you have excess calcium?

Answer 3

Stomach pain and diarrhoea

Question 4

What occurs if you have a deficiency in calcium?

Answer 4

• Effect bone density

Question 5

What is the role of phosphorus?

Answer 5

Formation of bone component hydroxyapatite. Essential for structure of cell membrane

Question 6

Describe what occurs with deficency or excess phosphorus?

Answer 6

Deff - Unlikely as it is available in many foods.

Adverse - It has low toxicity so no major effects

Question 7

What are some sources of phosphorus

Answer 7

Red meat, dairy, fish, poultry, bread, rice and oats

Question 8

What is the function of magnesium?

Answer 8

It is needed for the activation of many enzymes and for parathyroid hormone secretion. Also needed for muscle and nerve function

Question 9

Describe the effects of a magnesium deficiency or excess

Answer 9

Def - Progressive muscle weakness and neuromuscular dysfunction.
Excess - High dose supplements can result in diarrhoea.

Question 10

Name some food sources of magnesium

Answer 10

• Present in chlorophyll so green leafy veg but also nuts, bread, fish, meat and dairy

Question 11

What is the function of sodium?

Answer 11

It is responsible for regulating body water content and electrolyte balance. It is also required for the absorption of nutrients and water from the gut

Question 12

Describe what occurs with deficiency/excess of sodium

Answer 12

Def - Unlikely but can occur due to excess sweating, diarrhoea, addison’s disease, renal failure or drugs.
Excess - Hypertension which is risk factor for CV disease and stroke

Question 13

What is the role of potassium, the consequences of deficiency/excess and the potential sources

Answer 13

Role - Water and electrolyte balance, the normal functioning of cells.
Deficiency - Weakness, mental confusion and potentially heart failure.
Excess - Harmful especally if kidneys are dysfunctional.
Sources - Fruit eg, banannas. Veg, meat, fish and nuts etc

Question 14

What is the role of iron, the consequences of deficiency/excess and the potential sources

Answer 14

Role - Formation of haemoglobin in RBCs.
Deficiency - Can lead to iron def anaemia.
Excess - Hemochromatosis.
Sources - Haem iron (meat) or non haem iron (plant sources)

Question 15

Name the fat soluble vitamins

Answer 15

Vitamin A, D, E and K

Question 16

Name some water soluble vitamins

Answer 16

Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Folate
Vitamin C

Question 17

What is the role of Vitamin A, the consequences of deficiency/toxicity and the potential sources

Answer 17

Role - Normal structure and function of skin and mucous membranes.
Def - Night blindness and xerophthalmia.
Toxicity - Increase birth defects as well as liver and bone damage.
Sources - Liver, whole milk, cheese and butter. Carrots, dark green leafy veg and orange coloured fruit

Question 18

What is the role of Vitamin D, the consequences of deficiency/toxicity and the potential sources

Answer 18

Role - regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
Sources - Sunlight and diet (plants and fungi)
Def - Poor calcification of skeleton, can lead to rickets. Osteomalacia.
Toxicity - Hypercalacaemia - Demineralisation of bones and heart and kidney damage.

Question 19

What is the role of Vitamin E, the consequences of deficiency/toxicity and the potential sources

Answer 19

Role - antioxidant.
Def - Not considered a problem.
Toxicity - At very high doses it effets other fat soluble vitamins.
Sources - Polyunsaturated fatty acids so vegatable oils, nuts and seeds

Question 20

What is the role of Vitamin K, the consequences of deficiency/toxicity and the potential sources

Answer 20

Role - Synthesis of several proteins that are required for normal blood clotting and bone structure.
Def - Rare and since gut bacteria produce it, a deficiency is linked to malabsorption or impaired gut synthesis.
Toxicity - Few toxic reactions recorded.
Sources - Green leafy veg, dairy and meat

Question 21

What is the role of B vitamins, the consequences of deficiency/toxicity and the potential sources

Answer 21

Thiamin - required to release energy from carbs.
Def - causes peripheral nervous system disease beri-beri.
No toxicity,
Sources - whole grains, nuts, meat, fruit and veg