Nutritional and Food-Related Health Conditions

Question 1

Glucose

Answer 1

• the building block of all carbohydrates

- converted to energy for use in the body

Question 2

Insulin

Answer 2

• hormone synthesised and secreted by pancreas
• stimulates the absorption of glucose from the bloodstream to body cells
• causes blood glucose level to drop again

Question 3

Glycaemic Index

Answer 3

• GI
• measure (1-100) given to foods containing carbohydrates
• based on the effect they have on blood glucose levels

Question 4

High GI foods

Answer 4

• 70+
• cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly and sharply
• eg cake, potatoes, pumpkin

Question 5

Medium GI foods

Answer 5

• 56-69
• cause moderate increase in blood glucose level
• eg rye bread, bananas, cooked beetroot

Question 6

Low GI foods

Answer 6

• 50 or less
• release glucose slowly into bloodstream
• keeps glucose level constant for a few hours
• eg tomatoes, green beans, low GI brown bread

Question 7

Low Blood Glucose Levels

Answer 7

• hypoglycemia
• when blood glucose level drops abnormally low:
  1) after eating blood glucose level rises very quickly
  2) a lot of insulin in released into bloodstream to counter sudden rise
  3) insulin causes blood glucose level to drop below normal

Question 8

Symptoms of hypoglycemia (4)

Answer 8

shakiness
palpitations
sweating
headache

Question 9

High Blood Glucose Levels

Answer 9

• hyperglycemia

- when blood glucose level rises abnormally high

Question 10

Causes of hyperglycemia (3)

Answer 10

• eating foods high in sugar
• too little exercise
• sustained stress

Question 11

What is Diabetes (mellitus)?

Answer 11

chronic condition where the body cannot control the blood glucose level because too little/no insulin is produced

Question 12

Type 1 diabetes

Answer 12

• pancreas does not synthesise insulin
• insulin injections are necessary to control blood glucose level
• usually develops in children and young adults
• immune system attacks and destroys pancreas cells that produce insulin

Question 13

Type 2 diabetes

Answer 13

• pancreas does not synthesise enough insulin to control the blood glucose level effectively OR
• body cannot use the insulin effectively
• body cells become resistant to insulin
• usually develops in people age 40+ who are inactive with a poor diet

Question 14

Diabetes can cause (6)

Answer 14

blindness
kidney failure
nerve damage
coronary heart disease 
stroke
death

Question 15

Prevention and Management of Diabetes (7)

Answer 15

1. follow a healthy diet
2. exercise regularly
3. maintain a healthy body weight
4. control blood pressure and cholesterol
5. avoid stress
6. regularly monitor blood glucose levels
7. use medication

Question 16

Coronary Heart Disease

Answer 16

• develops when coronary arteries are damaged or dysfunctional
• plaque accumulates in damaged areas
• plaque hardens, narrows arteries, decreasing blood flow to heart
• leads to heart attack

Question 17

atherosclerosis

Answer 17

build up of plaque inside coronary arteries decreasing blood flow to the heart

may cause gangrene, heart attacks or stroke

Question 18

Cholesterol

Answer 18

• soft waxy substance
• made by liver
• forms part of cell membranes
• used to build healthy cells
• should be less than 5.0mmol/l

Question 19

Good cholesterol

Answer 19

• HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)
• carries excess cholesterol to liver where it gets broken down to be excreted
• lowers risk of heart disease
• more than 1.2mmol/l

Question 20

Bad cholesterol

Answer 20

• LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)
• builds up in inner walls of arteries
• hardens and narrows arteries
• atherosclerosis
• less than 3.0mmol/l

Question 21

2 Fats that raise cholesterol

Answer 21

1. saturated fats (full cream, butter)

2. trans fatty acids (pastries, fried foods)

Question 22

2 Fats that lower cholesterol

Answer 22

1. polyunsaturated fats (seed oils, fish)

2. mono-unsaturated fats (avo, nuts)

Question 23

Prevention and Management of Cholesterol (5)

Answer 23

a) maintain healthy body weight
b) healthy eating (limit fat, whole grains, veg, read labels)
c) drink less alcohol
d) exercise regularly
e) do not smoke

Question 24

High Blood Pressure

Answer 24

• hypertension
• determined by how much the heart pumps and how much resistance the arteries provide
• can lead to heart attack or stroke

Question 25

5 Factors that cause hypertension

Answer 25

- high sodium intake - stress - high alcohol intake - smoking - inactive lifestyle

Question 26

Prevention of hypertension (6)

Answer 26

a) follow a healthy diet (limit salt, eat low fat) b) maintain healthy body weight c) exercise more d) drink less alcohol and caffeine e) do not smoke f) manage stress

Question 27

Osteoporosis

Answer 27

- skeletal disease - bones become porous due to lack of calcium - breakdown of bone tissue occurs faster than rebuilding

Question 28

Causes of Osteoporosis (4)

Answer 28

1. gender- women have lower bone mass then men 2. lack of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D 3. excessive smoking and alcohol intake 4. excessive weight loss (anorexia)

Question 29

Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis (5)

Answer 29

a) balanced diet rich in Calcium, Vitamin D and C, Phosphorus and Fluoride b) avoid protein rich foods c) do not smoke d) avoid excessive use of alcohol e) do regular weight-bearing exercise

Question 30

Anaemia

Answer 30

- lack of red blood cells in blood OR - lack of haemoglobin in red blood cells due to lack of iron - blood loses capacity to carry oxygen

Question 31

Causes of anaemia (2)

Answer 31

1. blood loss = loss of red blood cells (through injury/ menstruation) 2. insufficient production of red blood cells (diet lacks iron through poor diet, pregnancy, infection, lack of vitamin B12)

Question 32

Prevention and Management of Anaemia (4)

Answer 32

a) healthy diet rich in iron, vitamins and folic acid b) monitor growth of children, as growth = need for iron c) monitor blood loss during menstruation d) blood transfusion if condition is serious