Week 4 SCNFA2 Slide Deck (1)

Introduction to Nutrients

  • Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

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Week 4: Lesson 11 – Vitamins and Minerals

  • Focus on nutrients essential for healthy tissues.

  • Key nutrients include:

    • Vitamin D

    • Calcium

    • Iron

Lesson Objectives

  • Understand the components of blood:

    • Erythrocytes: Red blood cells.

    • Leukocytes: White blood cells; crucial for immune function.

    • Platelets: Cell fragments aiding blood clotting.

    • Plasma: Watery matrix where cells and platelets are suspended.

  • Explore the role of iron in oxygen transport:

    • Iron is integral in hemoglobin (found in red blood cells).

    • Iron derivative myoglobin is present in muscle cells.

  • Factors influencing iron absorption include:

    • Iron status, stomach acid, dietary iron content, and the type of iron (heme vs non-heme).

    • Identify common types of anemia related to iron deficiency: iron-deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, and macrocytic anemia.

    • Understand the three stages of iron deficiency.

Bone Health Overview

  • Learn about cortical and trabecular bones:

    • Cortical bone: Dense and comprises 80% of the skeleton.

    • Trabecular bone: Spongy structure inside bones making up the remaining 20%.

  • Discuss processes of bone growth, modeling, remodeling, and vitamins/minerals involved in maintaining bone health:

    • Key vitamins and minerals include Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Fluoride.

Regulation of Calcium Levels

  • Understand the process of how calcium levels are regulated in the body:

    • Low Calcium Levels: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) release increases calcium retention and promotes bone breakdown.

    • High Calcium Levels: Calcitonin reduces calcium retention from kidneys and inhibits osteoclasts.

  • Identify foods high in calcium:

    • Includes dairy products and green leafy vegetables.

  • Factors influencing calcium bioavailability:

    • Age, health status, and dietary components.

Iron Dynamics

  • Role of iron in the body:

    • Found in hemoglobin and myoglobin, essential for oxygen transport.

    • Iron storage in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow; it can be stored as ferritin or hemosiderin.

    • Two iron types in foods:

      • Heme Iron: Easily absorbed; found in animal sources.

      • Non-Heme Iron: Less readily absorbed; found in plant sources.

  • Factors affecting iron absorption:

    • Status of individual iron levels, stomach acidity, iron type present, and other dietary components (e.g., phytates).

Consequences of Iron Imbalance

  • Iron Overload: Can lead to toxicity. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Delayed treatment can damage heart and liver.

  • Iron Deficiency: The most prevalent nutrient deficiency globally, significantly affects specific demographics.

Types of Anemia

  • Iron-Deficient Anemia: Characterized by small red blood cells with insufficient hemoglobin; leads to microcytic anemia.

  • Macrocytic Anemia: Caused by inadequate folate or vitamin B12 intake, including pernicious anemia due to insufficient intrinsic factor for absorption.

Bone Structure and Health

  • Bone Composition:

    • 65% mineral (hardness) and 35% organic structures (flexibility).

    • Collagen: Vital for structural integrity of bones.

Bone Development Processes

  • Includes:

    • Bone Growth: Increases height; completed by age 18 in girls and 21 in boys.

    • Bone Modelling: Determines shape; done by early adulthood.

    • Bone Remodeling: Continuous reshaping throughout life.

Importance of Peak Bone Density

  • Peak density is reached by age 30, followed by a gradual decrease.

Vitamins & Minerals Essential for Bone Health

  • Vitamin D: Critical for calcium absorption.

  • Calcium: Most abundant mineral in the body.

  • Other Factors: Include magnesium, phosphorus, and fluoride aiding in bone health.

Conclusion: Nutritional Strategies

  • Emphasize addressing nutrient deficiencies through dietary choices, potential supplementation, and lifestyle modifications to enhance health and prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis.