Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® 1 Chapter 11 Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs.

Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® 1Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning®

Chapter 11Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® 2

Introduction• U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances

– List of vitamins and minerals necessary for maintenance of good nutrition • The National Academy of Sciences and the

National Research Council of the Food and Nutrition Board

• Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) – Revised recommendations


Introduction (cont’d.)• Indications for vitamin and mineral

supplements – Inadequate diet– Malabsorption syndromes– Increased need for certain nutrients– Deficiency due to medication interactions


Introduction (cont’d.)• Nutrients function in groups or teams

– If diet supplementation is warranted, it is likely that both vitamins and additional minerals are needed

• Overdoses of some vitamins and minerals can be injurious to health– Vitamins A, D, and iron

• Deficiency should be established by a physician’s diagnosis or blood test before exceeding Recommended Dietary Allowances


Introduction (cont’d.)• The following slides discuss many

vitamins, minerals, and herbs– Refer to chapter for specific needs,

deficiencies, deficiency signs, supplements, overdose symptoms, and cautions for each


Fat-Soluble Vitamins• Vitamin A (retinol, retinal, beta carotene)

– Processed in the body from the carotene of plants, fruits, oily saltwater fish, dairy products, and eggs

– Antioxidant properties


Fat-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Vitamin D (calciferol, cholecalciferol,

ergocalciferol) – Synthesized in the body through the action of

sunlight on the skin– Other sources include fish oils, and food

products fortified with vitamin D


Fat-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Vitamin E (tocopherol)

– Found in cereals, wheat germ, seeds, nuts, vegetable oils, eggs, meat, and poultry

– Antioxidant properties • Vitamin K (phytonadione)

– Found in green or leafy vegetables, cabbage, vegetable oils, cheese, eggs, and liver

– Absorbed in the small intestine in the presence of bile salts


Water-Soluble Vitamins• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

– Coenzyme utilized for carbohydrate metabolism

– Found in whole grains, wheat germ, peas, beans, nuts, yeast, meat, especially pork and organ meats, oysters, collard greens, oranges, and enriched cereals


Water-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

– Coenzyme utilized in the metabolism of glucose, fats, and amino acids

– Found in milk, eggs, nuts, meats, yeast, enriched bread, and green leafy vegetables


Water-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

– Coenzyme utilized in metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, protein, and amino acids

– Found in meats, fish, poultry, legumes, peanuts, soybeans, wheat germ, whole-grain cereals, and bananas

– Significant loss when foods are frozen


Water-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin, cyanocobalamin)

– Found in meats, poultry, fish and shellfish, milk, cheese, and eggs

– Absorption depends on intrinsic factor, normally present in gastric juice of humans• Absence of this factor leads to deficiency and

pernicious anemia


Water-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Folic acid (folate)

– Vitamin included in the B-complex group– Found in leafy and green vegetables

(broccoli), avocado, beets, orange juice, kidney beans, and organ meats

– Lost with overcooking and reheating


Water-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Niacin (nicotinic acid, niacinamide)

– Vitamin included in the B-complex group – Found in meat, chicken, milk, eggs, fish,

green vegetables, cooked dried beans and peas, soybeans, nuts, peanut butter, and enriched cereal products


Water-Soluble Vitamins (cont’d.)• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

– Found in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cabbage, green peppers, and broccoli

– Unstable when exposed to heat or air or combined with alkaline compounds


Minerals• What are the characteristics of minerals?

– Chemical elements occurring in nature and in body fluids

– Correct balance of each is required for maintenance of health

– Minerals dissolved in body fluids are called electrolytes and carry positive or negative electrical charges required for body activities


Minerals (cont’d.)• Sodium and chloride

– Principal minerals in extracellular body fluids– Best source is table salt

• Potassium (K)– Found in citrus, bananas, tomatoes, potato

skin, cantaloupe, avocadoes, dried fruits, cooked dried beans, and peas• Hyperkalemia: excessive potassium in the blood


Minerals (cont’d.)• Calcium (Ca)

– Mineral component of bones and teeth– Absorbed in small intestine– Sources include milk and dairy products

• Iron (Fe)– Vital for oxygen-carrying and delivery

component of blood– Found in meat, egg yolk, beans, spinach,

enriched cereals, dried fruits, prune juice, and poultry


Minerals (cont’d.)• Zinc

– Component of numerous enzymes – Essential element in metabolism– Usually found in adequate amounts in a well-

balanced diet– An antioxidant– Sources include lean meat, organ meats,

oysters, poultry, fish, and whole grain breads and cereals


Antioxidants• Inhibit cell destruction in damaged or

aging tissues caused by unstable molecules called free radicals– Free radicals attack the cells, causing

damage, which prevents the transport of nutrients, oxygen, and water into the cell and the removal of waste products

– Antioxidants are any compounds that fight against destructive effects of free radical oxidants


Antioxidants (cont’d.)• Antioxidant vitamins

– Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene• Antioxidant minerals

– Copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc– These minerals work with antioxidant

enzymes and are essential to proper enzyme function


Alternative Medicines• Herbs and other dietary supplements

– Refer patients to reliable sources of information

– Be sure that the information is based on fact, not opinion

– Caution patients regarding the dangers of taking remedies not approved by the FDA


Alternative Medicines (cont’d.)• Dietary supplements

– Traditionally referred to products made of one or more of the essential nutrients• DSHEA broadens the definition: any product

intended for ingestion as a supplement to the diet

– FDA does not authorize or test dietary supplements

– Many forms: tablets, capsules, powders, softgels, gelcaps, and liquids


Alternative Medicines (cont’d.)• Fraudulent products

– Products that don’t do what they say they can or don’t contain what they say they contain

– Often can be identified by the types of claims made in their labeling, advertising, and promotional literature

• Quality products– Be aware of quality-control problems


Alternative Medicines (cont’d.)• Reading and reporting

– Consumers should always read product labels, follow directions, and heed all warnings

– Much remains unknown about many dietary supplements regarding their health benefits and potential risks

Copyright © 2015 Cengage Learning® 1 Chapter 11 Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs.

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