Question

1. What are the two characteristics that define a vitamin?

2. What are the two types of vitamins? Name two things that make them different from each other.                                                                                             

3. What two water soluble B vitamins does the body store? Does this change how often they need to be consumed? What is the UL for each?

4. Vitamin D deficiency leads to what condition in children? Where do most people get Vitamin D besides fortified foods and supplements? What two organs are involved with the activation of vitamin D?                                                                           

5. What are the two functions of Vitamin K? Besides diet and supplements, what is another source of Vitamin K? Do patients on Coumadin (Warfarin) need to eliminate foods containing it?

6. Why are infants routinely deficient in Vitamin K (two reasons)? What could happen if they did not get a shot of Vitamin K at birth?                        

7. Beriberi is common in Asian countries. What is it and what causes it? In industrialized societies, it is more common to see Wernicke’s encephalopathy. What is it and what causes it?

8. What very common medical condition can high dose niacin treat? What is the commonly prescribed dose? What are the side effects?                                   

9. What are the main functions of folate? At what point in pregnancy is folate critical to prevent spina bifida? What can happen if an excessive amount of folic acid (supplements) is consumed?

10. What is the intrinsic factor? Why do many vegans need B12 supplementation?

11. What are the two classes of minerals? What is the difference between the classes?

12. What is a phytochemical? Where do they come from? What functions do they have?

13. Describe the effect of sodium and potassium on blood pressure. What is the adequate intake for each for adults 19-50.                                             

14. Where would you find the following phytochemicals? (worth 2 points, ½ point each box)

Phytochemical	Name at least one food source
Lycopene
Zeaxanthin
Beta carotene
Flavonoids

15. Correctly classify each mineral as major or trace. Then describe its major functions in the body (worth 4 points, ½ point for each box)

Mineral	Major or trace	Function
Phosphorus
Fluoride
Selenium
Magnesium

16. Micronutrient deficiencies can manifest through physical symptoms. Fill in the chart with the appropriate vitamins or minerals. The number of answers is in parenthesis. (worth 5 points, ½ point each box)

Symptom	Micronutrient deficiency(ies)
Hair loss (1)
Rickets (2)
Night Blindness (1)
Mouth sores (1)
Taste changes (1)
Bleeding gums (1)
Swollen tongue (1)
Nerve pain in legs and arms (2)
Poor wound healing (3)
Poor/stunted growth (2)

17. Various micronutrient deficiencies can cause anemia. What are they? (Hint: there are 7)

Answer 1

The two characterstics that define a vitamin are:

Vitamins are organic. They are components of food.

Vitamins are essential for the body to carryout physiological functions.

Vitamins are cateogorized into two types, they are 8 water slouble vitamins(Vit B complex and vit C) and 4 fat soluble vitamins(A,D,E,K).

They are cateogorized based on their solubility. Fat soluble vitamins are soluble in lipids only, where as water soluble vitamins are soluble in water and cannot be soluble in lipids.

Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body,whereas fat soluble vitamins can be stored in body tissues for further use.