Vitamins Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E and K
Vitamin A
B-Carotene is the precursor
Helps gene expression, vision, immune defence
B-carotene is a good antioxidant
Toxicity: yellowing of skin
VA Deficiency: xerosis, decrease immune function, Keratin lumps on skin.
VA Toxicity: edema, blurred vision, spleen enlargement
Other forms of VA
Retinoic acid: applied to skin, rapid turn over of cells
Retin-A: acne
Renova: anti-wrinkle
Highly toxic if taken during pregnancy
Vitamin D
Sun converts precursor
Manitoba latitude: Apr-Oct use liver stores in winter
Risk of skin cancer.
Deficiency: Rickets (Child) and Osteomalacia (Adult). Bone disease.
Risk of deficiency increases with age
Most risk for toxicity: appetite loss, depression
Long term: calcium deposits in heart, blood vessels, lungs and kidney leads to death.
Vitamin E
Aka Tocopherol
Antioxidant in cell membranes.
Deficiency is rare: erythrocyte hemolysis, oxidative damage
Toxicity is rare: nausea and fatigue.
Vitamin K
Blood clotting and protein synthesis
Anticoagulant meds interfere with VK
Bacterial production in colon.
Deficiency: newborns need supplements at birth. Problems with fat absorption, easy bruising.
Toxicity: jaundice
Water soluble vitamins
C, And B Vitamins
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Maintenance of collagen. Bones, teeth, skin and tendons.
Antioxidant protection.
Promotes iron absorption and restores VE to active form.
Deficiency: scurvy
Low toxicity risk: altered insulin response. Avoid VC supplements if have hemochromatosis. Can interfere with anticoagulation meds.
The B Vitamins
Act as coenzymes.
Thiamin B1 Riboflavin B2 Niacin B3 Pantothenic Acid B5 Vitamin B6 Biotin B7 Folate B9 Vitamin B12
Thiamin B1
Energy metabolism
Nerve processes
Needs higher with pregnancy
Diet focused on nutrient dense foods
Deficiency: beriberi
Toxicity: none
Riboflavin B2
Energy metabolism
Supports vision and skin health
Deficiency: ariboflavinosis, may exist with other B vitamin food sources.
No toxicity reported.
Niacin B3
Energy metabolism
Can be used to lower blood cholesterol
Tryptophan can be converted to Niacin.
Deficiency: pellagra, 4 D’s. Dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea, death.
Toxicity: tingling in hands and feet. Red skin rashes.
Folate B9
New cell synthesis
Recommend supplements before pregnancy.
Deficiency: affects rapidly dividing cells. Macrocytic anemia.
hyper homocysteinemia.
Risk for colon cancer.
Toxicity: masks B12
Vitamin B12
Myelin sheath in nerve fibers.
Folate and B12 depend on each other.
Deficiency: macrocytic anemia. Neuromuscular dysfunction.
Need intrinsic factor to absorb B12
Toxicity: None
Pyridoxine B6
Amino acid, protein and fatty acid metabolism
Deficiency: microcytic anemia. Greasy dermatitis.
Toxicity: numbness due to nerve damage. Reversed when quit supplements.
Biotin B7
Energy metabolism
Deficiency: rare in humans.
Avidin binds biotin. Denatured by cooking. Cooking makes biotin available.
Pantothenic acid B5
Energy metabolism
Deficiency rare.
