Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, Phytonutrients, Functional Foods

1. Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, Phytonutrients,Functional Foods By Melissa Bess, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist FNEP STAFF TRAINING ONLY, DO NOT USE WITH FNEP PARTICIPANTS 05/2007

2. Overview • What are vitamins? • Categories of vitamins • Functions • Food sources • Deficiencies • What are minerals? • Categories of minerals • Antioxidants

3. Overview (continued) • Phytonutrients • Functional Foods • Food Labels • Activity

4. What are vitamins? • Complex substances that regulate body processes • Coenzymes (partners) with enzymes in reactions • No calories, thus no energy

5. Categories

7. Functions: Normal vision Protects from infections Regulates immune system Antioxidant (carotenoids) Food sources: Liver Fish oil Eggs Fortified milk or other foods Red, yellow, orange, and dark green veggies (carotenoids) Vitamin A (and carotenoids)

10. Recommended dietary allowance The RDA of vitamin A for adults is around 1000 retinol equivalents (3500 IU) for man and around 800 retinol equivalents (2500) for woman. One international unit (IU) equals to 0.3 mg of retinol. The requirements increases in growing childern, pregnant woman and lactating mothers.

11. Vitamin A deficiency The deficiency manifestations are related to the eyes, skin and growth. Deficiency manifestation of the eyes: night blindness (nyctalopia), is one of the earliest symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. Difficult to see in dim light- as dark adaptation time is increased. Prolonged deficiency irreversibly damages a number of visual cells.

12. Severe deficiency of vitamin A leads to xeropthalmia. This is characterized by dryness in conjuctiva and cornea, keratinization of epithelial cells. If xeropthalmia persists for a long time, corneal ulceration and degeneration occur. This results in the destruction of cornea, a condition referred to as keratomalacia, causing total blindness.

14. Effect on Growth: Vitamin A deficiency results in growth retardation due to imperiment in skeletal formation. Effect on Reproduction : The reproductive system is adversely affected in Vitamin A deficiency. Degeneration of germinal epithelium leads to sterility in males. Effect on Skin and epitelial cells : The skins becomes rough and dry. Keratiniza

15. Of epithelial cells of gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and respiratory tract is noticed. This leads to increased bacterial infection. Vitamin A deficiency is associated with formation of urinary stones. The plasma level of retinol binding protein is decreased in Vitamin A deficiency .

16. Hypervitaminosis A Excessive consumption of vitamin A leads to toxicity. The symptoms of hypervitaminosis A include dermatitis (drying and redness of skin), enlargement of liver, skeletal decalcification, tenderness of long bones, loss of weight, irritability, loss of hair, joint pains etc.

17. Functions: Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus Helps deposit those in bones/teeth Regulates cell growth Plays role in immunity Sources: Sunlight (10 – 15 mins 2x a week) Salmon with bones Milk Orange juice (fortified) Fortified cereals Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin)

18. Chemistry Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) is formed from ergosterol and is present on plants. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is found in animals. Both the sterol are similar in structure except that ergocalciferol has an additional methyl group and a double bond. Ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol are

20. Biochemical functions Calcitriol (1, 25- DHCC) is the biologically active form of vitamin D. It regulates the plasma level of calcium and phosphate. Calcitriol acts at 3 different levels (intestine, kidney and bone) to amintain plasma calcium level ( normal 9-11 mg/dl)

21. Action of calcitriol on the intestine: calcitriol increases the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. Action of calcitriol on the bone: Calcitriol stimulates the calcium uptake for deposition as calcium phosphate. Calcitriol is essential for bone formation. Action of calcitriol on the kidney: Calcitriol is also involved in mininmizing the excretion of calcium and phosphate through the kidney by decreasing their excretion and enhancing reabsorption.

22. Vitamin D is a hormone not a vitamin- a justification. Calcitriol is now considered as an important calcitropic hormone, while cholecalciferol is the prphormone. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is synthesized in the skin by ultra violet rays of sunlight. The biologically active form of vitamin D, calcitriol is produced in the kidney. Calcitriol has target organs- intestine bone and kidney, where it specifically acts.

24. Calcitrol action action is similar to steroid hormobnes. Actinomycin D inhibits the action of calcitriol . This support the view that calcitriol excerts its effect on DNA leadind to the synthesis of RNA (transcription). Cacitriol synthesis is self regulated by a feedback mechanism i.e., calcitriol decreases its own synthesis.

25. Recommended dietary Allowance The daily requirements of vitamin D is 400 international units or 10 mg of cholecalciferol.

27. Deficiency symptoms Insufficient exposure to sunlight and consumption of diet lacking vitamin D results in its deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin D causes rickets in childern and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin d is often called as antirachitic vitamin. In rickets plasma calcitriol level is decreased and alkaline phosphatase activity is elevated.

28. Renal rickets This seen in patients with chronic renal failure. Renal rickets is mainly due to decreased synthesis of calcitriol in kidney. It can be treated by the administration of calcitriol.

29. Hypervitaminosis Vitamin D is stored mostly in liver and slowly metabolized. Vitamin D is the most toxic in overdoses. Toxic effects- demineralization of bone (resorption) and increased calcium absorption from the intestine, hypercalcemia, loss of appetite, nausea, increased thirst, loss of weight.

30. Functions: Antioxidant, may lower risk for heart disease and stroke, some types of cancers Protects fatty acids and vitamin A Sources: Vegetable oils Foods made from oil (salad dressing, margarine) Nuts Seeds Wheat germ Green, leafy veggies Vitamin E

32. Absorption , transport and storage Vitamin E is absorbed along with fat in the small intestine. Bile salts are necessary for the absorption. In the liver, it is incorporated into lipoproteins (VLDL and LDL) and transported. Vitamin E is stored in adipose tissue, liver and muscle. The normal plasma level of tocopherol in less than 1 mg/dl. Biochemical Functions Most of the functions of vitamin E are related to its antioxidant property.

33. It prevents the non-enzymatic oxidations of various cell components (e.g unsaturated fatty acids) by molecular oxygen and free radicals such as superoxide (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2). The element selenium helps in these function. Vitamin E is lipohilic in character and is found in association with lipoproteins , fat deposits and cellular membranes. It protects the per oxidation reactions.

34. Vitamin E acts as a scavenger and gets itself oxidized (to quinone form) by free radicals (r) and spares PUFA. FUNCTIONS Vitamin E is essential for the membrane structure and integrity of the cell, hence it is regarded as a membrane antioxidant. It prevents the peroxidation of poly-unsaturated fatty acids in various tissues and membranes.It protects RBC from hemolysis by oxidizing agent (e.g H2O2).

35. It is closely associated with reproductive functions and prevents sterility. Vitamin E preserves and maintains germinal epithelium of gonads for proper reproductive function. It increases the synthesis of heme by enhancing the activity of enzymes aninolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase and ALA dehydratase. It is required for cellular respiration through electron transport chain (believed to stabilize coenzyme Q).

36. Vitamin E prevents the oxidation of vitamin A and carotenes. It is required for proper storage of creatine in skeletal muscle. Vitamin E is needed for optimal absorption of amino acids from the intestine. It is involved in proper synthesis of nucleic acids. Vitamin E protects liver from being damaged by toxic compounds such as carbon tetrachloride.

37. It works in association with vitamin A , C and B carotene, to delay the onset of cataract. Vitamin E has been recommended for the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

38. Functions: Helps blood clot Helps body make some other proteins Sources: Body can produce on its own (from bacteria in intestines) Green, leafy veggies Some fruits, other veggies, and nuts Vitamin K

40. VITAMIN K Vitamin K is the only fat soluble vitamin with a specific coezyme function. It is required for the production of blood clotting factors, essential for coagulation (in German – Koagulation; hence the name k for this vitamin. CHEMISTRY Vitamin K exists in different forms vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) is present in plants. Vitamin K2 (menaqquinone) is produced by the

41. Intestinal bacteria and also found in animals. Vitamin K3 (menadione) is synthetic form. All the three vitamin (k1,k2,k3) are naphthoquinone derivatives. Isoprenoid side chain is present in vitamins K1 and k2. The three vitamins are stable to heat. Their activity is, however, lost by oxidizing agents, irradiation, strong acids and alkalies. Absorption , transport and storage Vitamin k is taken in the diet or synthesized by the intestinal bacteria. Its absorption takes place along with fat (chylomicrons) and is dependent on bile

42. Salt. Vitamin K is transported along with LDL and is stored mainly in liver and , to a lesser extent, in other tissues. Biochemical functions The functions of vitamin K are concerned with blood clotting process. It brings about the post-translational (after protein biosynthesis in the cell) modification of certain blood clotting factors. The clotting factors II (prothrombin) VII IX and X are synthesized as inactive precursors (zymogens) in the liver. Vitamin K act as a

43. Coenzyme for the carboxylation of glutamic acid residues present in the proteins and this reaction is catalysed by a carboxylase (microsomal). It involves the conversion of glutamate (Glu) to carboxyglutamate is inhibited by dicumarol, an anticoagulant found in spoilt sweet clover. Warfarin is a synthetic analogue that can inhibit vitamin K action.

44. Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) Strictly speaking there is no RDA for vitamin K, since it can be adequately synthesized in the gut. It is however , recommended that half of the body requirement is provided in the diet, while the other half is met from the bacterial synthesis. Accordingly , the suggested RDA for an adult is 70-140 µg/day. Dietary Sources Cabbage, cauliflower , tomatoes ,

45. Spinach and other green vegetables are good sources. It also present in egg yolk, meat, liver, cheese and dairy products. Deficiency symptoms The deficiency of vitamin K is uncommon , since it is present in the diet in sufficient quantity and is adequately synthesized by the intestinal bacteria. However , vitamin K deficiency may occur due to its faulty absorption (lack of bile salts) loss of vitamin into feces (diarrheal diseases ) and

46. Administration of antibiotics (killing of intestinal flora). Deficiency of vitamin k leads to the lack of active prothrombin in the circulation. The result is that blood coagulation is adversely affected. The individual bleeds profusely even for minor injuries .The blood clotting time is increased. Hypervitaminsis K Administration of large doses of vitamin K produces hemolytic anaemia and jaundice,

47. Particularly in infants. The toxic effect is due to increased breakdown of RBC. Antagonists of vitamin k The compounds namely heparin, bishydroxycoumarin act as anticoagulants and are anatagonists to vitamin k. The salicylates and dicumarol are also anatagonists to vitamin K. Dicumarol is structurally related to vitamin k and acts as a competitive inhibitor in the synthesis of active prothrombin.

48. Functions: Helps produce energy from carbs Sources: Whole-grain and enriched grain products Pork Liver Thiamin (B1)

49. Glc Glycogen G6P G1P R5P G3P Ala Pyr Acetyl-CoA Asp OA TCA cycle Glu aKG SCoA Role in Pathways Glycogenolysis PP a vit B6 Glycolysis PPP TK vit B1 ALT vit B6 PDH vit B1,B2,B3 AST vit B6 vit B6 aKGDH vit B1,B2,B3

50. Recommended diatary allowance (RDA) The daily requirement of thiamine depends on the intake of carbohydrate. A dietary supply of 1-1.5 mg/day is recommended for adults (about 0.5 mg/1000 cals of energy). For children RDA is 0.7-1.2 mg/day. The requirement marginally increases in pregnancy an location (2 mg/day) old range and alcoholism. Dietary Sources Cereals, pulses, oil seed, nuts and yeast are good sources. Thiamine is mostly concentrated in the outer layer (bran) of