nutrition

BECK NUTRITION MIDTERM – CRAM CHEAT SHEET (Ch 1–7)

ENERGY BASICS

• Caloric Values of Macronutrients:

  • Carbohydrates: 4 kcal/g

  • Protein: 4 kcal/g

  • Fat: 9 kcal/g (most energy-dense nutrient)

  • Alcohol: 7 kcal/g

• Brain Requirements:

  • Minimum of 130g of carbohydrates per day is necessary for optimal brain function.

CARBOHYDRATES

• Primary Energy Source:

  • Essential for brain function and red blood cells (RBCs).

• Types of Carbohydrates:

  • Simple Carbohydrates:

  • Includes glucose, fructose, sucrose, and lactose.

  • Complex Carbohydrates:

  • Includes starch, glycogen, and fiber.

• Fiber Types:

  • Soluble Fiber:

  • Lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.

  • Insoluble Fiber:

  • Helps prevent constipation.

• Recommended Fiber Intake:

  • 14g of fiber per 1,000 kcal consumed.

• Added Sugar Limit:

  • Should constitute less than 10% of total daily caloric intake.

FATS (LIPIDS)

• Types of Fats:

  • Saturated Fats:

  • Recommended to limit intake to less than 10% of total caloric intake.

  • Unsaturated Fats:

  • Considered heart-healthy.

  • Trans Fats:

  • Recommended to avoid completely.

• Functions of Dietary Fats:

  • Energy storage

  • Insulation

  • Protection of vital organs

  • Necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

  • Known to reduce inflammation and lowers cardiovascular risk.

PROTEIN

• Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

  • 0.8 g/kg of body weight.

• Functions of Protein:

  • Tissue repair

  • Enzyme production

  • Hormonal functions

  • Antibody production for immune response

• Nitrogen Balance:

  • Positive Nitrogen Balance:

  • Indicates growth, common during pregnancy and childhood.

  • Negative Nitrogen Balance:

  • Occurs in states of illness or starvation and signifies tissue breakdown.

• Key Role in Healing:

  • Most crucial macronutrient for wound healing.

ENERGY BALANCE

• Concept of Energy Balance:

  • Energy intake must equal energy expenditure to maintain weight stability.

• Resting Energy Expenditure (REE):

  • Constitutes 45-80% of total daily energy use, varying with individual factors.

• Physical Activity Recommendations:

  • CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly.

VITAMINS

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins:

  • Includes vitamins A, D, E, and K; stored in body tissues, with a risk of toxicity.

  • - Vitamin A:

  • Role: Vision

  • Deficiency: Leads to night blindness

  • Toxicity: Can result in liver damage.

  • Vitamin D:

  • Role: Facilitates calcium absorption

  • Deficiency: Causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults

  • Toxicity: May lead to hypercalcemia.

  • Vitamin E:

  • Functions as an antioxidant in the body.

  • Vitamin K:

  • Essential for blood clotting; administered as an injection to newborns.

• Water-Soluble Vitamins:

  • Includes B-complex vitamins and vitamin C; excess is excreted in urine.

  • - Vitamin C:

  • Role: Crucial for collagen formation.

  • Deficiency: Results in scurvy.

  • Thiamin (B1):

  • Deficiency leads to beriberi.

  • Niacin (B3):

  • Deficiency causes Pellagra characterized by 4 D's (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, death).

  • Folate (B9):

  • Important in preventing neural tube defects during fetal development.

  • Vitamin B12:

  • Essential for red blood cell and nerve function; deficiency can cause pernicious anemia.

MINERALS

• Calcium:

  • Vital for bone formation, muscle contraction, and nerve function.

  • Regulation is influenced by vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

• Sodium:

  • Key for maintaining fluid balance; excessive intake can lead to hypertension.

• Potassium:

  • Necessary for maintaining heart rhythm; diuretics can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels).

• Magnesium:

  • Involved in muscle and nerve functions.

• Iron:

  • Component of hemoglobin; deficiency can lead to anemia.

• Iodine:

  • Crucial for the production of thyroid hormones.

• Fluoride:

  • Helps prevent dental cavities.

• Zinc:

  • Plays a significant role in immune function and wound healing.

• Sulfur:

  • Combines with toxins to neutralize them.

BECK EXAM TRAPS

• Fat provides the highest calories per gram compared to other macronutrients.

• Protein is critically important for wound healing.

• Vitamin K is specifically necessary for the blood clotting process.

• Vitamin C deficiency is associated with scurvy.

• Diuretic medications can cause potassium loss in the body.

• Niacin deficiency recognized by the classic symptoms referred to as the 4 D's.

• Vitamin B12 requires intrinsic factor for absorption in the body.

• Fat-soluble vitamins pose a risk of toxicity due to their storage in the body.