Deck 8: Overview of the Micronutrients and Phytochemicals

Question 1

What are ultratrace minerals?

Answer 1

Arsenic, nickel, boron, silicon, vanadium are ultra trace minerals that are present in human diet in trace amounts but are not considered to be essential to the body. Molybdenum is helpful for enzymatic reactions in the body. Whole grains, dark green vegetables, legumes, milk are some sources of molybdenum.
Cobalt is another example which acts as part of vitamin B that is needed for maintenance of health red blood cells, organs of animals, meat are some sources of cobalt. Boron is one more example that is required for healthy functioning of brain, for metabolism of calcium, energy metabolism etc. Many tissues of the body like bone, spleen , some non citrus fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables etc are also sources of Boron.

Question 2

A megadose of which of the following micronutrients is most likely to lead to toxicity?

A) vitamin A
B) niacin
C) vitamin K
D) magnesium

Answer 2

For the administration of vitamin K through external means no upper level has been set by the organization. The upper level of administration of niacin has been set to 35 milligrams from the supplements based on flushing of the skin.
If the level exceeds then it might cause headache and itching. The highest level of intake of magnesium is fixed to 350 milligrams. In case of higher intake it might cause diarrhea and weakness in people with kidney failure.
Hence the incorrect options are b, c and d.A mega-dose of vitamin A is most likely to cause toxicity symptoms. These include: fetal malformations, hair loss, changes in skin, pain in bone and fractures. The deficiency symptoms of vitamin A includes: night blindness, poor growth and dry skin.
Hence the correct option is .

Question 3

Explain why fat-soluble vitamins are more likely to cause toxicity than water-soluble vitamins.

Answer 3

Many of the water soluble vitamins, though taken more than their RDA, the excess amounts are filtered from blood by the kidneys and get excreted through urine. But, fat soluble vitamins which do not get dissolved in water, and are stored in body for many days, when taken in excess cause toxic effects. As when taken in excess these vitamins get accumulated in the body without getting excreted leading to toxicity.
Generally, Vitamin A show more toxicity when taken more than its RDA and very small increase too cause toxicity. Vitamin A toxicity show symptoms like itchy skin, loss of appetite, dry skin, nausea, blurred vision and mainly show severe birth defects and get more prone to fractures. Vitamin E, and some water soluble vitamins too like vitamin C, niacin, show toxicity sometimes but only when taken in very large amounts. When vitamin D causes toxicity, it shows symptoms like loss of appetite, distorted physical and mental growth, nausea etc. Excess amounts of vitamin K cause damage to liver, breakdown of red blood cells etc. As these fat soluble vitamins usually get stored in body, small amounts are to be advised to take.

Question 4

Certain compounds in plant foods, such as phytic acid, can limit the bioavailability of

A) vitamins.
B) minerals.
C) phytochemicals.
D) choline.

Question 5

List two components of plant foods that limit mineral bioavailability.

Question 6

Which of the following cooking methods is best for preservation of vitamins in foods?

A) boiling
B) deep-frying
C) stir-frying
D) pressure cooking

Question 7

Contrast the micronutrient content of whole versus refined grains by listing three examples of differences in vitamin or mineral content.

Question 8

An organic compound needed in small amounts by the body for normal growth, function, and maintenance is a

A) vitamin.
B) functional food.
C) trace mineral.
D) phytochemical.

Question 9

Provide one example of a micronutrient that has more than one functional role in the body. List its multiple functional roles.

Question 10

Compare and contrast vitamins and minerals.

Question 11

An inorganic element used by the body in chemical reactions and to form body structures is a

A) vitamin.
B) mineral.
C) coenzyme.
D) phytochemical.

Question 12

What are two defining characteristics of vitamins?

Question 13

Which of the following is a water-soluble vitamin?

A) vitamin A
B) vitamin K
C) thiamin
D) choline

Question 14

List two examples of fat-soluble vitamins and two examples of water-soluble vitamins.

Question 15

Which of the following is an essential trace mineral?

A) selenium
B) phosphorus
C) calcium
D) silicon

Question 16

Provide two examples of major minerals and two examples of trace minerals.

Question 17

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed from the small intestine into

A) plasma.
B) serum.
C) lymph.
D) urine.