 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Chapter 7 The Vitamins, Minerals & Water: A Functional Approach

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Turning Back the Clock Scurvy: the vitamin C deficiency disease characterized by bleeding gums, tooth loss, and even death in severe cases. Rickets: a disease that occurs in children as a result of vitamin D deficiency and that is characterized by abnormal growth of bone, which in turn leads to bowed legs and an outward-bowed chest. Many vitamin deficiency diseases have been eliminated in the last 100 year with the discovery of vitamins. Within the last 10 years the research on antioxidant vitamins is a hot subject in nutrition research.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth The Vitamins Vitamin : an organic substance needed in small amounts to help performs various bodily functions, promote growth & reproduction and maintain health. Contrary to popular belief, vitamins do not supply calories. They are essential to helping the body make use of the calories consumed via foods.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth 13 Vitamins 2 Classifications

Solubility affects how a vitamin is absorbed, transported & stored Water Soluble Absorbed directly into the bloodstream where they travel freely Excess water soluble vitamins are removed by the kidneys & excreted in urine Fat-Soluble More complex absorptive process Carried in the blood by special proteins Stored in the liver and in fat tissue rather than excreted. Do Not need to be eaten daily  2010 Cengage-Wadsworth

Water-Soluble Vitamins Water-soluble vitamins act as coenzymes. Coenzymes : enzyme helpers; small molecules that interact with enzymes and enable them to do their work. Water-soluble vitamins are fragile: Can be washed out or destroyed during food storage, processing and preparation.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth The Minerals Inorganic compounds needed in small amounts for the regulation, growth & maintenance of body tissues & functions Do not contribute calories. Work with enzymes to facilitate chemical reactions. Occurs naturally in the earth’s crust.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Major minerals: occur in large quantities in the body and are needed daily in the diet in large amounts. Trace mineral: occur in minute quantities and are needed in smaller amounts in the daily diet.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth The Antioxidant Nutrients Some chemical reactions in the body involve the use of oxygen. These reactions create toxic compounds called free radicals (unstable O2 molecule.) Also, Formed from sun, pollutants and cigarette smoke These free radicals contribute to cell damage and the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth The Antioxidant Nutrients Antioxidant nutrients are the body’s defense against free radical damage. Antioxidant nutrients ( Phytochemicals found in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes) include: Vitamin C Vitamin E beta-carotene – orange pigment Selenium

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Phytonutrients in Foods Phytochemicals (FIGH- toe-CHEM-icals): physiologically active compounds found in plants that are not essential nutrients but that appear to help promote health and reduce risk for cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Also called phytonutrients. phyto = plant Cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, contain nutrients and nonnutrients that protect against cancer.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Nutrients for Healthy Blood Folate and vitamin B 12 assist with formation of new blood cells. Vitamin B 6, zinc, copper, and iron are associated with hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen. Anemia : any condition in which the blood is unable to deliver oxygen to the cells of the body. First signs are tired and weakness. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Nutrients for Healthy Blood Folate and Birth Defects Plays a crucial role in a healthy pregnancy. Reduces the risk of spina bifida – incomplete closing of the casing around the spinal cord.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Nutrients for Healthy Bones Healthy Bones need: Vitamin D, K and A Calcium, phosphorus, Magnesium When calcium intakes are low, trabecular bone releases calcium into the blood Bones undergo remodeling throughout life but peak bone mass is reached at about 30 years of age. Weight bearing exercise prevents lose

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Nutrients for Healthy Bone Electron micrograph of healthy trabecular bone Electron micrograph of trabecular bone affected by osteoporosis – adult bone disease.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Nutrients for Healthy Bones Vitamin D The body can synthesize vitamin D with the help of sunlight. Sun exposure of face, hands and arms for 5-15 minutes several times per week will meet needs. Helps to make calcium and phosphorus available in the blood so these minerals can be deposited into bone. Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Nutrients for Healthy Bones Calcium Recommendations

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Water, Minerals, and Fluid Balance Water is essential for life and health. Nutrient most needed by the body. A combination of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Makes up part of every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. Accounts for about 60% of body weight.

 2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Water, Minerals, and Fluid Balance Water performs many tasks vital to life.

Sodium, potassium, and chloride are examples of body electrolytes Maintaining healthy concentrations of electrolytes is vital to life: Nerve-to-nerve communication Heartbeat Muscle contraction Electrolytes are lost in sweat, blood and urine. Fluid losses must be replaced to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.  2010 Cengage-Wadsworth Water, Minerals, and Fluid Balance