physiology of nutrition

which out of essential and non-essential amino acids are required in diet?

essential amino acids

what are the essential amino acids? (9)

PVT TIM HALL

phenylalanine

valine

threonine

tryptophan

isoleucine

methionine

histidine

arginine

leucine

lysine

how are the non-essential amino acids obtained?

synthesised in the body

what are the potential protein deficiencies in children?

- marasmus

- kwashiokor

what are the features of marasmus protein deficiency?

energy and protein is limited

what are the features of kwashiorkor protein deficiency?

protein limited but energy levels ok

what are some of the important minerals required in a healthy diet? (6)

- sodium

- potassium

- calcium

- phosphate

- magnesium

- iron

what can sodium deficiency cause? (3)

- dizziness

- muscle weakness

- seizures

what is the general function of sodium?

maintains balance of fluids and is related to bp, kidney function, nerve and muscle function

what is the general function of potassium? (3)

- maintains fluid balance

- assists nerve function

- related to heart muscle contraction

what can potassium deficiency cause? (4)

- cramping

- muscle weakness

- mood changes

- irregular heartbeat

what is the general function of calcium?

biological function in many tissues, important cofactor and general physiological performance

what can calcium deficiency cause? (3)

- muscle cramps

- osteoporosis

- decreased brain function

what is the general function of phosphate?

required to produce ATP for energy and regulates numerous protein activities

what can phosphate deficiency cause? (5)

- sore bones

- irregular breathing

- anxiety

- fatigue

- changes in body weight

what is the general function of magnesium? (3)

- energy metabolism

- release of neurotransmitters

- cell function

what can magnesium deficiency cause?

- irritability

- muscle weakness

- cardiac arrhythmias

- cramps

what is the general function of iron?

synthesis of haemoglobin and myoglobin for O2 transport and energy release

what can iron deficiency cause?

- anaemia

- fatigue

- SOB

- difficulty concentrating

what are the main vitamins required in a balanced diet?

- vitamin A

- vitamin B1

- vitamin B9

- vitamin B12

- vitamin C

- vitamin D

- vitamin E

- vitamin K

what is vitamin A?

retinol

what is vitamin A required for?

synthesis of photoreceptors in eye

what can vitamin A deficiency cause?

blindness (night and complete)

what is vitamin B1?

thiamine

what is thiamine required for?

carbohydrate metabolism

what does B1 deficiency cause?

beriberi + Wernicke's encephalopathy

what are the two types of beriberi?

dry and wet

what is dry beriberi?

damage to the nervous system:

- peripheral neuropathy

- muscle weakness

- gait ataxia

- parasthesias

- wernicke's encephalopathy

what is wet beriberi?

affects cardiovascular system:

- congestive heart failure

- dyspnoea

- oedema

what are the 3 signs of wernicke's?

.

what is vitamin B3?

niacin

what is niacin required for?

- energy metabolism

- regulating cholesterol levels

what does B3 deficiency cause?

4 Ds:

- dementia

- diarrhoea

- dermatitis

- death

what is the condition causes by B3 deficiency called?

pellagra

what is vitamin B9?

folate

what is folate required for?

DNA synthesis

what does folate deficiency cause? (2)

- megaloblastic anaemia

- neural tube defects (in pregnancy)

what is vitamin B12?

cobalamin

what is B12 required for?

myelination

what does B12 deficiency cause?

- megaloblastic anaemia

- subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord (severe)

how is vitamin B12 deficiency treated?

hydroxycobalamin injections

.what is vitamin C?

ascorbic acid

what is ascorbic acid required for?

immune system

what does vitamin C deficiency cause?

scurvy

what is vitamin D?

calcitriol

what is calcitriol used for?

allows synthesis of calbindin D which allows gut absorption of calcium

what does calcitriol deficiency cause?

osteomalacia/rickets

what is the function of vitamin K?

blood coagulation

what does vitamin K deficiency cause?

impairment of clotting

what is the function of the gut microbiota?

fermentation of non-digestable dietary fibres and intestinal mucus

what is vitamin E?

tocopherol

what does vitamin E deficiency cause?

haemolytic anaemia

what is the function of vitamin E?

antioxidant (protects erythrocytes and membranes from free radical damage)