Fat Soluble Vitamins

Question 1

what is the two types of vitamin A

Answer 1

-retinol
-beta carotene

Question 2

what is the main function of retinol in body cells?

Answer 2

-essential for growth and metabolism of all body cells

Question 3

how is retinol used in the eye?

Answer 3

-required for the formation of rhodopsin it is a purple pigment found in the retina which is necessary for vision in reduced light

Question 4

what is the main function of vitamin A in general?

Answer 4

-essential for maintenance of healthy skin and surface tissues e.g. the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts

Question 5

what are the 2 the main function of beta carotene?

Answer 5

-antioxidant in body tissues which remove free radicals which are the by products of metabolism
-a high intake may offer some protection against some forms of cancer and the removal of free radicals may also protect against CVD

Question 6

what are four food sources of retinol?

Answer 6

-cod
-liver
-dairy products
-eggs

Question 7

what are four food sources of beta carotene?

Answer 7

-carrots
-red peppers
-spinach
-mangoes

Question 8

what type of foods offer retinol?

Answer 8

-animal and fish sources

Question 9

what types of foods offer beta carotene?

Answer 9

-red/yellow/orange/green plant sources

Question 10

a deficiency of vitamin A in children can cause what?

Answer 10

-reduced rate of growth

Question 11

how can a deficiency of vitamin A effect eyesight?

Answer 11

-limited production of rhodopsin can result in night time blindness
-if the condition is not too serious and only a slight problem it can be reversed by increasing the intake of vitamin A

Question 12

how can a deficiency of vitamin A affects the health of skin?

Answer 12

-a deficiency can affect resistance to infection is lowered due to poor condition of the mucous lining of the respiratory tract

Question 13

what is the name of the condition than can occur due to an extremely low intake of vitamin A -

Answer 13

-xerophthalmia can occur as the tear glands become blocked and the cornea becomes dry and inflammed

Question 14

are excessive intakes of vitamin A likely?

Answer 14

-no they are unlikely with a balanced diet

Question 15

what is the term used to describe an over consumption of vitamins?

Answer 15

-hypervitaminosis

Question 16

what are symptoms of hypervitaminosis of vitamin A ?

Answer 16

-drowsiness
-irritability
-skin and bone disorders
-enlarged liver

Question 17

why are vitamin A levels during pregnancy recommended ?

Answer 17

-it can cause defects in the baby

Question 18

over many years what can a large intake of vitamin A lead to?

Answer 18

-it can contribute to osteoporosis and makes bones more likely to fracture with increased age

Question 19

what is another name for vitamin D?

Answer 19

cholecalciferol

Question 20

what is the main function of vitamin D ?

Answer 20

-it is necessary for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth

Question 21

what is vitamin D used to help absorb?

Answer 21

-calcium from the intestine and for the uptake of calcium and phosphorus by the bones and teeth

Question 22

how can vitamin D be formed ? how can this vary?

Answer 22

-formed in the skin n exposure to sunlight
-the amount can vary with latitude and the amount of time someone spends outside

Question 23

what are four food sources of vitamin D ?

Answer 23

-cod liver oil
-eggs
-margarine
-dairy products

Question 24

what is the only non food source of vitamin D ?

Answer 24

-sunlight

Question 25

what is the disease in children that can result because of a deficiency of vitamin D? why is this disease developed?

Answer 25

-rickets -a lack of vitamin D results in failure to absorb calcium and contributes to the softening of bones -the bones bend under the weight of the body, bow legs are symptoms of rickets

Question 26

what disease can result in adults due to a lack of vitamin D?

Answer 26

-osteomalacia which is a condition in which the bones become soft, weak and painful and fracture easily -elderly people are more susceptible to this as they may be housebound or living in a nursing home and therefore have limited time outside

Question 27

who might also be at a higher risk of having a deficiency of vitamin D ?

Answer 27

-individuals with intestinal problems which reduce the absorption of vitamin D e.g. coeliac disease may also become deficient

Question 28

what can result with an over consumption of vitamin D

Answer 28

-too high an intake can result in excessive amounts of calcium being deposited in the soft tissues such as the kidneys and so excess vitamin D can result in kidney damage

Question 29

what is another name for vitamin E ?

Answer 29

tocopherol

Question 30

what is the function of vitamin E ?

Answer 30

-offers protection for lipids especially PUFAs against free radical damage -protects against some types of cancer. Free radicals may also damage molecules inside the cell such as DNA and proteins, cells with damaged DNA are more prone to cancer

Question 31

how does vitamin E act as an antioxidant?

Answer 31

-free radicals which are produced because of normal chemical reactions which can damage membranes. -free radicals oxidize the lipids forming peroxides this can cause damage to cell membranes which can increase the risk of inflammatory such as rheumatoid arthritis

Question 32

what are four food sources of vitamin E ?

Answer 32

-wheatgerm -vegetable oils (vitamin E prevent rancidity by preventing oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids) -nuts -margarine

Question 33

what are 4 symptoms of a deficiency of vitamin E ?

Answer 33

-slow wound healing -lack of energy -poor concentration -muscle weakness

Question 34

how are most likely to have a deficiency of vitamin E ?

Answer 34

-people who are unable to absorb and utilize vitamin E correctly however this is very rare

Question 35

what happens as a result of an overconsumption of vitamin E?

Answer 35

-it have a low toxicity -very high doses can lead to other fat soluble vitamins being effected e.g. prevents the absorption of vit A -too high a consumption can also lead to a loss of appetite

Question 36

what is another name for vitamin K ?

Answer 36

phylloquinone

Question 37

what are the 3 main functions of vitamin K ?

Answer 37

-essential for blood clotting -helps wounds to heal properly -co-enzyme in the production of certain proteins that help to prevent osteoporosis

Question 38

what are 4 food sources of vitamin K ?

Answer 38

-green leafy veg -dairy products -cereals -red meat

Question 39

how is vitamin K produced in the body?

Answer 39

-can be synthesized by gut bacteria in the large intestine

Question 40

why is a deficiency of vitamin K rare?

Answer 40

-the vitamin is synthesized in the intestine and is also present in a normal diet

Question 41

who is most likely to have a deficiency of vitamin K ?

Answer 41

-newborn up to 6 weeks and premature babies -Vitamin K is routinely given to all newborn babies, this will assist with blood clotting and prevent the potentially fatal, Vitamin K deficiency Bleeding, VKDB, this is carried out by injection in hospital soon after birth

Question 42

what is the effects of an overconsumption of vitamin K

Answer 42

-few toxic reactions to vitamin K have been identified