Module 9 Vitamins

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Questions and Answers

What symptom is NOT associated with vitamin D toxicity?

Fatigue (correct)

Nausea

Calcification of soft tissues

Vomiting

Which ethnic group has the highest reported rates of vitamin D insufficiency?

Latino populations

Ethnic populations with dark skin (correct)

Caucasian population

Asian populations

What is one of the main functions of vitamin E?

Increases muscle mass

Regulates blood sugar levels

Acts as an antioxidant (correct)

Promotes collagen production

Vitamin E is primarily found in which part of the cell?

Cell membrane Signup and view all the answers

Which chronic disease is linked to vitamin D insufficiency?

Heart disease Signup and view all the answers

What role does vitamin E play in relation to free radicals?

It neutralizes free radicals by donating electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended daily intake (RDA) of vitamin E for adults?

15 mg per day Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is most likely associated with vitamin E deficiency?

Anemia due to red blood cell fragility Signup and view all the answers

What is the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of vitamin E for adults?

1,000 mg per day Signup and view all the answers

What potential risk is associated with high doses of vitamin E in smokers?

Increased risk of brain hemorrhage Signup and view all the answers

What are some symptoms of vitamin E deficiency?

Muscle weakness and impaired vision Signup and view all the answers

How can excessive intake of vitamin E affect health?

It can be toxic as it is a fat-soluble vitamin. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to experience vitamin E deficiency?

Premature infants with insufficient stores Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of Vitamin K?

Blood clotting Signup and view all the answers

Which group is at the highest risk for Vitamin K deficiency?

Newborns Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is associated with toxicity in the body?

Reduced sexual function in men Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant nonfood source of Vitamin K for humans?

Bacteria in the large intestine Signup and view all the answers

Which food is a good source of Vitamin K?

Spinach Signup and view all the answers

What adverse effects can occur from excessive intake of water-soluble vitamins?

Nausea and vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What role does osteocalcin play in the body?

Synthesis of bone protein Signup and view all the answers

Which condition can increase the risk of Vitamin K deficiency?

Prolonged antibiotic use Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a sign of Vitamin toxicity?

Improved health Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin is considered less toxic than fat-soluble vitamins?

Vitamin C Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of folate in the body?

Cell division and DNA replication Signup and view all the answers

Which group of people has increased requirements for folate?

Women planning on becoming pregnant Signup and view all the answers

What is the Dietary Folate Equivalent (DFE) used to measure?

The conversion of folic acid to folate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a synthetic form of folate?

Folic acid Signup and view all the answers

Which food source is considered an excellent source of folate?

Asparagus Signup and view all the answers

What deficiency during pregnancy can lead to neural tube defects?

Folate deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by large, immature red blood cells due to folate deficiency?

Macrocytic anemia Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrient is essential for converting folate into its active form?

Vitamin B12 Signup and view all the answers

From where must vitamin B12 be released before it can be absorbed?

Dietary protein Signup and view all the answers

Which food is fortified with vitamin B12?

Soy products Signup and view all the answers

What is the storage location within the body for vitamin B12?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following foods provides the least amount of folate per serving?

Carrots Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Vitamin C in the body?

Synthesis of collagen Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is a result of severe Vitamin C deficiency?

Scurvy Signup and view all the answers

How much Vitamin C is recommended daily for adult males?

90 mg Signup and view all the answers

Which fruit is recognized as a significant source of Vitamin C?

Orange Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is associated with Vitamin C deficiency?

Scorbutic rosary Signup and view all the answers

In smokers, how much additional Vitamin C is recommended per day?

35 mg Signup and view all the answers

What is the upper limit (UL) for Vitamin C intake to avoid toxicity?

2,000 mg Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin is primarily responsible for energy metabolism as a coenzyme?

B Vitamins Signup and view all the answers

Riboflavin is a component of which coenzymes?

FAD and FMN Signup and view all the answers

What condition is caused by a deficiency of thiamin in malnourished individuals?

Beriberi Signup and view all the answers

How does Vitamin C assist in iron absorption?

By converting iron to a more absorbable form Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following foods is NOT a good source of Vitamin C?

Chicken breast Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms does not indicate Vitamin C deficiency?

Riboflavin deficiency Signup and view all the answers

Vitamin C can help repair which type of body tissue due to its collagen synthesis role?

Connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vitamin D

Vitamin D toxicity occurs due to overuse of supplements.
Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and calcification of soft tissues.
Vitamin D fortification in food is subject to strict regulations.
High levels of vitamin D deficiency occur in the U.S.
- 90% of ethnic populations with dark skin.
- 75% of the Caucasian population.
Potential links between vitamin D deficiency and chronic disease:
- heart disease.
- respiratory infections.
- diabetes.
- hypertension.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily found in cell membranes.
It is not a single compound, but a group of compounds called tocopherols, with four different types: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.

Functions of Vitamin E

- Acts as an antioxidant and neutralizes free radicals that damage cell membranes, DNA, and proteins.
- Enhances immune function.
- Required for nerve cell development.
- Past recommendations for vitamin E supplements to protect against cancer and CVD.

Vitamin E and Free Radicals

- Vitamin E fights against free radicals, which are unstable compounds with an unpaired electron.
- These free radicals attack other molecules with electrons, initiating a chain reaction that damages cells.
- Vitamin E donates an electron to neutralize free radicals.

Recommended Intakes for Vitamin E

- RDA: 15mg per day for adults.
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): 1,000mg per day for adults.
- UL may be lower for certain populations, particularly smokers, as increased vitamin E supplements can lead to brain hemorrhages.

Vitamin E Deficiency

- Vitamin E deficiency is uncommon.
- Most likely to occur in premature infants with insufficient stores.
- Deficiency can lead to anemia due to red blood cell fragility and subsequent rupture.
- Other symptoms include: loss of muscle coordination and reflexes, muscle weakness, reproductive failure, and impaired vision.

Vitamin E Toxicity

- Vitamin E toxicity is possible due to its fat-soluble nature.
- Signs include headache, nausea, blurred vision, reduced sexual function in men, accelerated aging signs, inflammation of the mouth, chapped lips, fatigue, GI disturbances, muscle weakness, and increased bleeding.

Vitamin K

Primarily functions in blood clotting by activating proteins required for fibrin formation, which forms blood clots.
It also plays a role in the synthesis of the bone protein osteocalcin.

Vitamin K Deficiency

- Vitamin K deficiency is uncommon in adults.
- It is more common in newborns due to:
   - relatively sterile GI tract at birth.
   - breast milk contains low levels of vitamin K.
   - a single dose of vitamin K is given at birth.
- Other potential risk factors include prolonged antibiotic use.

Vitamin K Sources

- **Non-Food Source:** Bacteria in the large intestine, the most significant source for humans.
- **Food Sources:** Green vegetables (spinach, kale, cruciferous vegetables); green fruits (avocado, kiwi); and some vegetable oils.

Water soluble and fat soluble vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and B vitamins.
They are less toxic than fat-soluble vitamins.
Adverse effects are possible when taken in large quantities (3x-4x RDA), particularly in extreme cases of supplement use.

Vitamin C

Also known as ascorbic acid
Importance in diet discovered in the 1800s by observing sailors
Sailors died from scurvy, a disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency
Scurvy is characterized by:
- Bleeding gums
- Tooth loss
- Poor wound healing
- Small hemorrhages on skin
Vitamin C is an antioxidant
Plays a role in immune system health
Involved in collagen synthesis, which is a protein that forms connective tissue of tendons, bone, teeth, and skin
Collagen is important for wound healing and maintaining blood vessel structure
Vitamin C facilitates iron absorption in the GI tract
The RDA for Vitamin C is 90 mg per day for males and 75 mg per day for females
Smokers require an additional 35 mg of Vitamin C per day to protect the body against damaging compounds in tobacco smoke
Good sources of Vitamin C include fruits and vegetables like orange juice, citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts
Vitamin C is vulnerable to heat and oxygen, so food preparation affects levels in food
A severe deficiency of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy, due to improper formation of collagen
A deficiency can also cause anemia due to poor iron absorption
Signs of Vitamin C deficiency include: bleeding gums, loss of appetite, small hemorrhages on skin, impaired growth, weakness, and a scorbutic rosary in infants
The UL for Vitamin C is 2,000 mg per day
Supplementing with more than 1,000 mg of Vitamin C per day can cause diarrhea and bloating

B Vitamins

Includes thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), Vitamin B6, folate, Vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, and biotin
B vitamins are coenzymes or cofactors in energy metabolism
Coenzymes assist enzymes with energy release
Without a coenzyme, an enzyme cannot function

Thiamin

First identified B vitamin
Part of the coenzyme thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP)
TPP assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates and some amino acids
Involved in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA and the Kreb’s cycle
Involved in the function of nerve and muscle cell activity
The RDA for thiamin is 1.2 mg per day for males and 1.1 mg per day for females
There is no UL for thiamin as no adverse effects have been observed with excess consumption
Good sources include: pork, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, enriched grains, and peanuts
A thiamin deficiency can occur in malnourished individuals and alcoholics
In malnourished individuals, it can lead to beriberi which causes an enlarged heart, fluid accumulation beneath the skin, and muscle weakness and atrophy - if the condition primarily affects the cardiovascular system, it is called wet beriberi
If the condition primarily affects the nervous system it is called dry beriberi
In alcoholics, a severe deficiency can lead to Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome

Riboflavin

Part of the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)
Involved in energy release from macronutrients
FAD is an “electron shuttle”
The RDA for riboflavin is 1.3 mg per day for males, and 1.1 mg per day for females
There is no UL for riboflavin

Folate

Folate is a naturally occurring form, folic acid is the synthetic form.
Folic acid is easier to absorb by the GI tract.
Folate is an essential nutrient for cell division.
DNA replication during cell division requires folate.
Folate is essential for red blood cell synthesis.
Adequate folate levels are required during fetal development for central nervous system formation.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of folate is 400 µg DFE (dietary folate equivalent) per day for adults 19 years and older.
Requirements are increased for women planning pregnancy, pregnant and lactating women.
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) of folic acid is 1 mg per day.

Food Sources of Folate

Good sources of folate include:
- Orange juice
- Green leafy vegetables
- Legumes
Good sources of folic acid include:
- Supplements
- Enriched grains

Folate Deficiency

Folate deficiency can result in the inability to synthesize DNA.
A lack of folate leads to large, immature red blood cells, resulting in macrocytic anemia.
Folate deficiency during pregnancy can lead to severe neural tube defects in the fetus.
Neural tube defects:
- Spina bifida: spinal cord fails to close completely
- Anencephaly: lack of or incomplete development of the brain and skull

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is unique because it contains the mineral cobalt.
It is synthesized by bacteria and other microorganisms, and is found naturally only in foods of animal origin.
Vitamin B12 is stored in the body in significant amounts.
Vitamin B12 requires intrinsic factor for absorption.

Functions of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for converting folate into its active form.
It maintains the myelin sheath, the insulating lining covering nerve fibers.

Vitamin B12 Dietary Recommendations and Food Sources

The RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4 µg per day for adults.
There is no UL for vitamin B12.
Sources of naturally occurring vitamin B12:
- Milk, cheese, meat (especially organ meats), poultry, and seafood.
Foods fortified with vitamin B12:
- Ready-to-eat cereals
- Soy products
- Supplements

Vitamin B12 Absorption

Vitamin B12 must be released from dietary protein before absorption.
This occurs in the stomach, through the actions of hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
After release, it binds to intrinsic factor, a protein secreted in the stomach.
Intrinsic factor protects vitamin B12 from degradation before absorption.
Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the lower ileum.

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Description

This quiz explores essential information about Vitamin D and E, including toxicity, deficiency symptoms, and key functions in the body. It highlights the role these vitamins play in health and the impact of dietary regulations. Test your knowledge on these vital nutrients!