Vitamin and Mineral Notes

NutrientsThat RegulateVitamin and Mineral NotesVitaminsVitamins are organic compounds essential for life, needed in small amounts to regulate body processes.

Vitamin functionsThey assist in releasing energy from foodThey assist in tissue maintenanceThey assist normal digestionThey assist in infection resistanceVitamin FactsThey have no calories (cannot be used for energy) Vitamins were named as they were discovered (alphabetically)A compound must be essential to life to humans in order to be classed as a vitamin

Vitamin FactsThere are 13 known vitamins Its possible that all vitamins have not been discovered*There are two classifications of vitamins; fat soluble and water soluble

Fat soluble vitaminsADEKCharacteristics of fat soluble vitaminsNon-Soluble (broken down and stored) in fat (more difficult to dissolve)Easily stored in body, can use emergency reserves if low.

Greater potential for toxicity if consumed in large quantities.

Water soluble vitaminsB- Vitamins (riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, panothenic acid, folic acid, B-12,and B-6)

Vitamin CCharacteristics of water soluble vitaminsSoluble.. Easily dissolved by water.Not readily storedExcesses of vitamin are excreted in urine.

Characteristics of water soluble vitamins Cont. Less potential for toxicity since the levels dont build up in the body.More likely to see deficiencies in these vitamins.Must be consumed daily.

Pro-vitaminsCompounds that are not vitamins but are converted into vitamins once consumed.

Example= Beta carotene becomes Vitamin AVitamin DeficienciesA lack of one or more vitamins may cause symptoms that may be mild or severe depending on the vitamin and the period of deficiency. Vitamin deficiency may be associated with inadequate dietary intake or with certain conditions such as alcoholism and malabsorption syndromes where the body is unable to efficiently absorb vitamins from the food that has been eaten.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin A DeficiencyBlindness in children

Night Blindness

Dry, scaly skin

Vitamin D Deficiency Without Vitamin D the bones cannot absorb Calcium

RicketsOsteomalacia

Rickets

Thiamin Deficiency Beri Beri

I cant, I cant

Weakness/Nerve damage

Shaking and trembling

Can be caused by severe alcoholism (malabsorption)Niacin Deficiency- Pellagra

The four Ds Dry, flaky skinDermatitisDementiaDeathSymptoms=Poor appetite, weight loss and weakness

Pellagra Images

Vitamin C Deficiency- ScurvyVitamin C deficiency is seen in diets low in fruits and vegetables.

Symptoms include:Tiredness and weaknessBleeding gumsBurst blood vessels

Scurvy

Folic Acid- Deficiency (Spina Bifida)Folic acid is found in green, leafy vegetables . Folate helps to synthesize DNA . A lack o folate is associated with neural tube birth defects like spina bifida

Spina Bifida

MineralsMineral are inorganic elements needed in tiny amounts to regulate body processes.

Mineral functionsComponents of the body structureRegulate acid-base balance in cellsRegulate fluid balanceAssist in many chemical reactionsPromote nerve function and muscle contractions

Mineral FactsThey have no calories (cannot be used for energy) They are inorganic Found on the periodic table of elementsThere are two classifications of minerals: Macro and Micro minerals Macro-minerals or Major minerals are needed in larger amounts (100 or more milligrams) Micro-minerals or trace minerals are needed in minute amounts (less than 100 milligrams)

Macro-mineralsCalciumPhosphorousMagnesiumSulfurPotassiumChlorineMicro-mineralsIronZincIodineSeleniumCopperChromiumManganeseMineral Deficiencies Inadequate diet can lead to mineral deficiency, or at least to insufficient minerals. Some of the more common deficiencies are: iron deficiency, iodine deficiency, and calcium deficiency. Iron Deficiency (Anemia)Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells throughout the body. Without enough iron, the body produces fewer and smaller red blood cells. As a result, less hemoglobin is available, and your bodys cells do not get enough oxygen..

Iodine DeficiencyIodine is needed by the thyroid gland for healthy functioning. Lack of iodine can lead to goitre, a swollen neck due to a swollen thyroid gland. However, iodine deficiency is much less common in industrialized nations due to the addition of iodine to table salt.

Goiters

Goiters

Calcium DeficiencyA deficiency of the mineral calcium in the diet. Calcium is essential for maintaining health bone and teeth but the body also uses calcium in other parts of the body such as in nerve and muscle functioning and blood clotting. Insufficient calcium can lead to osteoporosis in the elderly as well as a number of other conditions.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Caused by too much sodium coupled with and a high fat (saturated fat) high cholesterol diet