KIN 346Module 3 Flashcards
What are vitamins?
Essential, organic micronutrients
How do vitamins differ from macronutrients?
1) Structure: found in individual units 2) Function: don’t yield energy 3) Food contents: amounts ingested and required are usually measured in micrograms and milligrams
What affects bioavailability of vitamins?
1) efficiency of digestion and previous nutrient intake 2) method of preparation (some are easily destroyed) 3) source of the nutrient (supplement, food, fortification) 4) Other foods consumed at the same time (may help or hunder)
What are precursors or previtamins?
Inactive form of vitamins that must be activated in the body to be useful
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
A,D,E,K
What are the water soluble vitamins?
The Bs and Vitamin C
How are fat soluble vitamins absorbed?
into lymph, requires bile
How are fat soluble vitamins transported?
require protein carriers
How are fat soluble vitamins stored?
in fat compartments
How are fat soluble vitamins excreted?
tend to be stored
Are fat soluble vitamins toxic?
More likely than water soluble
What are the requirements for fat soluble vitamins?
periodic doses
How are water soluble vitamins absorbed?
directly into the blood
How are water soluble vitamins transported?
travel freely
How are water soluble vitamins stored?
in water compartments
How are water soluble vitamins excreted?
usually excess is removed in urine
Are water soluble vitamins toxic?
Less likely, but possible from supplements
What are the requirements for vitamins?
frequent doses
What are the RDAs for Vitamin A for men and for women?
Men (19-30): 900 micrograms/ day. Women (19-30) = 700 micrograms per day
Three active forms of reinoids in the body?
Retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid
How is vitamin A absorbed and where is it stored?
Absorbed into the lymph and stored in the liver
Animal foods supply what form a vitamin A?
Supply retinyl esters, absorbed as retinol
Food sources of retinol/retinyl esters?
liver, fish oils, eggs, milk, milk products, and fortified foods such as margarine
Plan foods supply what type of Vitamin A?
Carotenoids