Niacin, Thiamine & Riboflavin

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the micronutrients niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin, highlighting their functions, deficiencies, sources, and biochemical roles.

Micronutrients

Essential vitamins and minerals required in small amounts for various bodily functions.

Iodine Deficiency

A lack of iodine leading to mental impairment in newborns; affects approximately 2 billion people globally.

Iron Deficiency

A condition affecting ~1 billion people that leads to anemia, particularly in preschool-aged children.

Pellagra

A disease caused by niacin deficiency characterized by diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and possibly death.

RDA

Recommended Dietary Allowance; the average daily intake sufficient to meet nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that require dietary fats for absorption and can be stored in the liver and adipose tissues.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that dissolve in water, are not stored in significant amounts, and must be consumed regularly.

Niacin Equivalent (NE)

1 mg of niacin or 60 mg of tryptophan, used to measure niacin intake from diet.

SIRT

A family of NAD-dependent deacetylases that regulate cellular processes related to metabolism and aging.

Biochemical Functions of NAD

Acts as a coenzyme in redox reactions and substrate for ADP-ribosylation in various metabolic pathways.

Food Sources of Niacin

Primarily found in meats, poultry, fish, legumes, peanuts, and fortified cereals.

Thiamine

Vitamin B1, crucial for carbohydrates metabolism and neural function.

Riboflavin

Vitamin B2, important for energy production, cellular function and metabolism of fats, drugs, and steroids.

Nicotinic Acid

A form of niacin; essential for the synthesis of NAD and NADP coenzymes.

Urinary Excretion as Biomarker

Measurement of niacin metabolites in urine used to determine niacin status in individuals.

Hartnup Disease

A genetic disorder characterized by the malabsorption of neutral amino acids, notably tryptophan.

Deficiency Symptoms

Symptoms such as pigmented rash, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological disorders due to insufficiency of niacin.