Ch. 85- Vitamins

Question 1

What are vitamins?

Answer 1

Organic compounds required in minute amounts for growth and maintenance of health

Question 2

Do vitamins serve as a source of energy?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

What is the role of vitamins in the body?

Answer 3

Essential for energy transformation and regulation of metabolic processes

Question 4

What must happen to several vitamins before they become active compounds?

Answer 4

They must be converted to active compounds in the body

Question 5

What are Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)?

Answer 5

Average daily dietary intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals in a particular life-stage or gender group

Question 6

What does the tolerable upper intake limit (UL) for a vitamin indicate?

Answer 6

The highest average daily intake that can be consumed without significant risk for adverse effects

Question 7

What is the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)?

Answer 7

The level of intake that will meet nutrition requirements for 50% of healthy individuals in any life-stage or gender group

Question 8

List the fat-soluble vitamins.

Answer 8

• Vitamins A
• D
• E
• K

Question 9

List the water-soluble vitamins.

Answer 9

• Vitamin B complex (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, cyanocobalamin)
• Vitamin C

Question 10

What are the functions of Vitamin A?

Answer 10

Multiple functions in the eyes

Question 11

What are the potential toxicities associated with Vitamin A?

Answer 11

• Birth defects
• Liver injury
• Bone-related disorders

Question 12

What deficiency causes night blindness?

Answer 12

Vitamin A deficiency

Question 13

What condition can result from Vitamin D deficiency?

Answer 13

Rickets or osteomalacia

Question 14

What are the therapeutic uses of Vitamin E?

Answer 14

Antioxidant properties

Question 15

What dietary sources are rich in Vitamin E?

Answer 15

• Fresh greens
• Seeds
• Oils

Question 16

What is a serious risk of high-dose Vitamin E?

Answer 16

Increased risk for heart failure, cancer progression, & death

Question 17

What is the primary action of Vitamin K?

Answer 17

Synthesis of prothrombin and other clotting factors

Question 18

What is a deficiency in Vitamin C known to cause?

Answer 18

Scurvy

Question 19

What is the role of Niacin (Vitamin B3)?

Answer 19

Involved in numerous enzymatic reactions and used to treat niacin deficiency

Question 20

What deficiency is characterized by dermatitis, GI disturbances, and CNS symptoms?

Answer 20

Niacin deficiency (Pellagra)

Question 21

What are the adverse effects of high doses of Niacin?

Answer 21

• Vasodilation with flushing
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Question 22

What is the primary function of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)?

Answer 22

Involved in numerous enzymatic reactions

Question 23

What deficiency does Thiamin (Vitamin B1) cause?

Answer 23

Beriberi

Question 24

What are the symptoms of Wet Beriberi?

Answer 24

• Fluid accumulation in the legs
• Cardiovascular complications

Question 25

What serious CNS disorder is caused by Thiamin deficiency due to alcoholism?

Answer 25

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Question 26

What is Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) primarily involved in?

Answer 26

Metabolism of amino acids and proteins

Question 27

What can cause Pyridoxine deficiency?

Answer 27

Poor diet, isoniazid use, inborn errors of metabolism

Question 28

What is the difference between food folate and synthetic folate?

Answer 28

Synthetic form is more stable

Question 29

What is the consequence of Folic Acid deficiency during pregnancy?

Answer 29

Impairment of CNS development and potential neural tube defects

Question 30

What are the essential factors in the synthesis of DNA?

Answer 30

* Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) * Folic acid

Question 31

What can result from deficiency of Cyanocobalamin?

Answer 31

Megaloblastic 'pernicious' anemia and neurologic damage