Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1
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.
2
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)
3
The Nature of Vitamins
Nutritional Value lost by:
Light Effect of packaging on
Heat nutrient loss in milk.
Oxidation
Bacteria
Enzymes
Insects
(Nutritional value of baby
food must be assured.)
4
The Nature of Vitamins
Food processing can
preserve nutrients.
5
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
DietaryReference Intakes (DRI):
recommendation for individuals (more
accurate, but would be impossible to label)
Age
Gender
Pregnancy
Lactation
7
Vitamin Requirements
DailyReference 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
8
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.
Glucosamine
Omega 3
Folic acid
Ginko baloba
Ground rhinos horn.
10
Fat Soluble Vitamins
A orange, carotenoids, vision, antioxidant- used as
color and antioxidant
11
Vitamin A
12
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
13
Vitamin D
Also known as calciferol due to its role in calcium
absorption
14
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
15
Vitamin D
16
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
17
Vitamin K
Contributes to synthesis of seven blood
clotting factors
18
Water Soluble Vitamins
Relatively cheap to
add to food
Only Vitamin C is
used for its
functionality
19
Water Soluble Vitamins
B1, thiamine
B2, riboflavin
B6, pyridoxamine
B12
Biotin
Panothenic acid
Niacin
Folacin
Vitamin C
20
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
22
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
23
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?
24
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)
25
Vitamin C - Scurvy
26
Niacin (B3)
Energy metabolism
Disease pellagra The Four Ds
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Dementia
Death
27
Minerals
Issues
Absorption
Bioavailability
28
Minerals
Percent of Body weight
Calcium 2%
Phosphorus 1%
Potassium 0.3%
Sulfur 0.2%
Sodium 0.1%
Chloride 0.1%
Magnesium 0.05%
Iron 0.04%
29
Minerals
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
30
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
31
Calcium
32
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
34
35
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
36
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
37
Salt Uses in Food
38
Minerals
Sulfur
Necessary for collagen formation
Magnesium
Abundant in plants
39
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