Vitamins Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the fat-soluble vitamins?
A, D, E, and K.
How are fat-soluble vitamins stored in the body?
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and adipose tissue. It takes longer to deplete stores of fat-soluble vitamins, which makes them accumulate and increasing risk for toxicity.
What are 2 forms of vitamin A and are both toxic when eaten in excess?
Retinoids (retinal, retinol, and retinoic acid): The chemical forms of preformed vitamin A. They assist in vision, growth, reproduction, immunity, and upkeep of epithelial tissue. This form is found in animal foods (liver, eggs, fish oil, dairy). Carotenoids: They’re precursors of vitamin A and are converted to retinoids by the body. They act as antioxidants (Anti-aging/cancer/atherosclerosis). Beta-carotenes in foods neutralize free radicals that can damage DNA. There are 50+, the strongest is beta-carotene. They give fruits and vegetables yellow, red, and orange color and are also found in green leafy veggies. Some food sources are apricots, sweet potato, carrots and spinach. Carotenoids are not toxic
What are some symptoms and diseases related to vitamin A deficiency?
Vitamin A is involved in perception of light in the eye: retinal+opsin=rhodopsin. Rhodopsin transfers light energy to the brain visual centers. Vitamin A deficiency thus results in night blindness and also prevents proper growth. Xerophthalmia: An irreversible blindness due to hardening of the cornea and drying of the mucous membranes of the eye. Deficiency of Vitamin A leads to deterioration of epithelial tissue such as the lining of the eye or skin. If not treated permanent blindness occurs.Hyperkeratosis: A condtion which makes the skin rough and bumpy, prevents proper sweating, and causes skin to be dry and thick. It can be reversed with vitamin A supplementation
What’s the difference between acute vitamin A toxicity and chronic vitamin A toxicity?
Acute toxicity occurs when a large amount of vitamin A is consumed, resulting in coma and death. Chronic toxicity occurs over a long period of time and cause liver damage, eye, skin, and bone problems. It can also cause birth defects or spontaneous abortion.
What is Hypercarotenemia?
High consumption of carotenoids results in the yellow or orange tinging of skin. It can be reversed with lessened intake.
What are Retin A and Acutane?
Retin A is an anti-wrinkle drug. Acutane is an anti-acne drug. Both can produce borderline vitamin A toxicity. Symptoms include dry mouth and eyes, changes in liver function, and greater blood lipid levels. Neither should be used before pregnancy in fear of causing birth defects
How is vitamin D like a hormone, but also like a vitamin?
Vitamin D is like a hormone because it’s made by the skin (w/sun) and so isn’t essential in the diet and it’s made in one organ but acts on and affects others. Vitamin D is also like a vitamin because if there’s not enough sun the skin can’t produce enough/any and thus it must be consumed instead
What are Ergocalciferol and Cholecalciferol?
Vitamin D2 and D3. D2 is found only in plant foods. D3 is found in animal foods and is produced in our skin when ultraviolet light reacts with 7 dehydrocholesterol.
What are some of the functions of vitamin D?
It facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and maintenance of bone. It also helps with cell differentiation
What is Rickets?
A vitamin D deficiency disease in children. Symptoms include deformities of the skeleton (bowed legs and knocked knees).
What is Osteomalacia?
A vitamin D deficiency disease in adults in which the bones become weak and prone to fractures.
What is the active form of vitamin E in our body and good food sources for it?
Tocopherols are the active form in our body. The most active natural form is d-alpha tocopherol. It’s found in nuts, plant/seed oil, leafy green veggies, avocados, and broccoli.
What are some of the functions of vitamin E?
It’s an antioxidant that protects unsaturated fats in cell membranes from damage by free radicals. It protects white blood cells, improves immune function, and increases absorption of vitamin A. It destroys free radicals when they first attack cells. It maintains red blood cells, nervous tissue cells, and immune system cells.
What are symptoms of vitamin E toxicity?
Inhibition of blood clotting, increased risk of stroke, and intestinal discomfort. Large doses interfere with vitamin K absorption which lessens blood’s ability to clot.
What are the 2 forms of vitamin K and how is it unique in comparison to other fat-soluble vitamins?
The 2 forms of vitamin K are Phylloquinone, the form found in plants (green leafy veggies, veggie oils, legumes) and the primary dietary form, and Menaquinone, the animal (fish oil, meat) form also produced by bacteria in the large intestine. Vitamin K isn’t stored in liver.
What is the primary function of vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a coagulant. That is to say, it helps the blood clot.
What are symptoms of vitamin K deficiency?
Abnormal blood clotting and easy bruising, most common in newborns and those taking antibiotics
Is vitamin K toxicity common?
No, it’s the result of supplement overuse. Symptoms include anemia and liver damage.
What are the water-soluble vitamins and how are they stored in body?
Water-soluble vitamins aren’t stored in the body, excess is excreted in the urine, so they must be consumed on a regular basis. They include the 8 B vitamins and vitamin C
What are the names of the 8 B vitamins?
Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, B6, B12 (cobalamin), Biotin, and Pantothenic acid
What are some food sources of thiamin?
Thiamin is spread widely throughout foods such as fortified breads and cereals, pork, and whole grains. Due to its availability deficiency is rare.
What is Beriberi?
Beriberi: A disease caused by thiamin deficiency. The body’s inability to metabolize energy leads to muscle wasting and nerve damage. In later stages people may be unable to move. The heart muscle may also be affected, and thus there’s potential for fatal heart failure. Beriberi reflects thiamin’s role in glucose metabolism and acetylcholine synthesis. Symptoms include depression, weakness, poor coordination, nerve tingling, and heart changes. Advanced beriberi results in paralysis and death
What happens when riboflavin is exposed to light and what are some of its food sources?
When exposed to light the vitamin loses its activity. It’s found primarily in milk, but also green veggies and enriched grains
