Vitamins and Minerals

PowerPoint originally prepared by Shanta Adeeb

The Nature of Vitamins

Vitamins are organic (carbon) compounds needed for normal function, growth and maintenance. Vitamins are cofactors, they dont do anything by themselves. They are not a source of calories.

The Nature of Vitamins

Organic cofactors what is a cofactor?

Water analogy, scissor analogy

Physiological role specific metabolic function Prevents disease unlike supplements which may promote some thing or have general metabolic effect (ex. Omega 3s, fibers) Natural = Synthetic (except Vitamin E)

The Nature of Vitamins

Nutritional Value lost by: Light Heat Oxidation Bacteria Enzymes Insects (Nutritional value of baby food must be assured.)

Effect of packaging on nutrient loss in milk.

The Nature of Vitamins

Food processing can preserve nutrients.

Vitamin Requirements

Daily Values (DV): standard nutrient intake values developed by FDA Includes DRIs (Daily Recommended Intakes for Individuals) and (DRVs) Daily Recommended Values (Proteins, etc.) Disease prevention Best met through a consumption of a wide variety of foods

Vitamin Requirements

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI): recommendation for individuals (more accurate, but would be impossible to label) Age Gender Pregnancy Lactation

Vitamin Requirements

Daily Reference Values (DRV): standards established for protein and other dietary components lacking a RDA or nutrient standard Constitute part of the Daily Values (DV) used on food labels

Dietary Supplements $6 Billion Market

They are classified as Nutritional Supplements They are not foods, and not drugs.* Supplements are Product intended to supplement the diet and contains vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, and their extracts. NOT consumed as a food replacement Loosely regulated, not evaluated by FDA

By definition a

drug is used to prevent, treat or cure disease.

These terms cannot be used with supplements.

Use of some supplements is backed by scientific data.

Dr. Montvilles Favorite Supplements

Glucosamine Omega 3 Folic acid Ginko baloba Ground rhinos horn.

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Fat Soluble Vitamins

A orange, carotenoids, vision, antioxidant- used as color and antioxidant

D we make it with sunlight, deficiency causes rickets, in milk, regulates Ca:P ratios
E tocopherols, antioxidants, role in preventing stroke, cancer, heart disease- used as antioxidant K contributes to blood clotting factor

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Vitamin A

Lots of double bonds, good anti-oxidant

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Vitamin A

Carrotinoids Used in food industry as a colorant (orange) (label friendly) Antioxidant (label friendly) Stored in liver Important for sight Deficiency causes ~500,000 cases of night blindness worldwide Genetically engineered rice with high Vitamin A can prevent night blindness Carrotenosis

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Vitamin D

Also known as calciferol due to its role in calcium absorption

Main role is to maintain calcium and potassium levels

It is the only fat soluble vitamin that we can makein the presence of sunlight Can be made from cholesterol

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Vitamin D

Can be stored in fat tissues (as can all fat soluble vitamins) Elderly and shut ins are at risk- not enough sunlight We get vitamin D form fortified milk and cereal Toxicity is very dangerous Occurs only from excess supplementation Can lead to calcium deposits in kidneys, heart and blood vessels

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Vitamin D

Rickets can be caused by lack of sunlight, but also from insufficient calcium. Vitamin D linked to calcium absorption. (Rickets reported in NYC.)

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Vitamin E

A family of eight naturally occurring compounds Used as an anti-oxidant in foods Since aging is considered an oxidation reaction, many anti-oxidants are used as dietary supplements Deficiencies are not well understood Role is stroke, cancer, heart, and immune response Americans spend $300 million per year on vitamin E supplements

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Vitamin K

Contributes to synthesis of seven blood clotting factors

Can be reactivated to continue biological action

Works as a cofactor for an enzyme that makes two bone proteins

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Water Soluble Vitamins

Relatively cheap to add to food Only Vitamin C is used for its functionality

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Water Soluble Vitamins

B1, thiamine B2, riboflavin B6, pyridoxamine B12 Biotin Panothenic acid Niacin Folacin Vitamin C

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Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin B1 Thiamine Involved in carbohydrate metabolism Helps body metabolize glucose, affects central nervous system Deficiency causes Beri beri (Singlese, I cant, I cant) B2- riboflavin Energy metabolism

Water Soluble Vitamins

B6 - Pyridoxamine

Neurotransmitter, co-enzyme in over 100 reactions

B12

Development of red blood cells Lack of it makes one anemic Hard for vegans to get

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Water Soluble Vitamins

Biotin

Involved in fatty acid synthesis Deficiency causes skin disease and hair loss

Panthothenic acid

Found in many foods Essential for metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, alcohol and fat

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Water Soluble Vitamins

Choline

A major component of cell membranes Folacin = Folate = Folic acid Deficiency causes neural tube defects in utero Took Rutgers Professor 20 years to for FDA approval as enrichment Why?

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Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid Very inexpensive to add to food, marketing tool. Antioxidant Deficiency leads to bleeding gums, hemorrhages High in citrus fruits, limes, (Limeys)

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Vitamin C - Scurvy

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Niacin (B3)

Energy metabolism Disease pellagra The Four Ds

Dermatitis Diarrhea Dementia Death

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Minerals

Issues Absorption Bioavailability

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Minerals

Percent of Body weight

Calcium Phosphorus Potassium Sulfur Sodium Chloride Magnesium Iron

2% 1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.05% 0.04%

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Minerals

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Calcium 99% is structural ~25% absorption Vitamin D aids absorption 75% is obtained from dairy products Many products are fortified with it Built in youth, lost in maturity

Very hard for vegans to get enough calcium

Calcium

Osteoporosis a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences 1.5 million fractures each year- major cause of subsequent mortality (25% within one year) 14 billion in direct health cost 25 million women at risk DRI women 600 800 mg/day National Osteoporosis Foundation www.nof.org

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Calcium

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Risk Factors- By Mayo Clinic staff Your gender. Age. Race. Frame size. Eating disorders. Low calcium intake. Excess soda consumption (Ca:P ratio).
The link between osteoporosis and caffeinated sodas isn't clear, but caffeine may interfere with calcium absorption and its diuretic effect may increase mineral loss. In addition, the phosphoric acid in soda may contribute to bone loss.

Bone density can be improved at any time.

Soda is the devils drink

Extra calories Poor nutrient density Interferes with calcification Replaces more nutritious drinks

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Minerals

Phosphorus Easily absorbed by the body Enhanced by Vitamin D Deficiency are rare Soda, phosphoric acid Potassium A primary electrolyte in blood Associated with lower blood pressure Athletes

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Minerals

Sodium and Chloride Added during processing Enhances flavor We consume 2X of what we need (DV = 2.4 grams, 1/10 ounce) (show) Excess Sodium can lead to hypertension High blood pressure Salt sensitivity genetics and race

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Salt Uses in Food

Enhances other flavors, cuts cost Salty taste, per se Increases consumer acceptance Raises boiling point of liquids (pasta) Masks bitter tastes Food safety Water binding

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Minerals

Sulfur Necessary for collagen formation Magnesium Abundant in plants

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Minerals

Iron

Most common and easily preventable deficiency Needed for oxygen absorption, immune function, developmental performance Poor absorption from plant sources Low iron causes anemia, especially in menstruating women Toxicity 6 12 vitamins with 100% iron content will kill a small child (The dose makes the poison.)

Fortification vs Enrichment

Fortification - restores lost nutrients due to processing

Enrichment adds nutritional value to meet a specific standard

Old London Restaurant Style Croutons. Seasoned Sourdough.

Enriched Bread, [Enriched Flour (Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid),

Water, Yeast, Sugar, Salt, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil , Vinegar, Ascorbic Acid] Bean Oil with BHT added as a Dextrin

Enriched Uranium

Enriched Uranium