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A substance that an organism must absorb in preassembled form because it cannot be synthesized from any other material. In humans, they include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids. |
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An amino acid that an animal cannot synthesize itself and must be obtained from food in prefabricated form. Eight amino acids are considered to be this in the human adult. |
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An essential amino acid needed by infants. |
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In penguins, the process of growing new feathers. |
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An unsaturated fatty acid that an animal needs but cannot make. |
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Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds. |
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An organic molecule required in the diet in very small amounts. They serve primarily as coenzymes or as parts of coenzymes. |
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The compounds in water-soluble vitamins that generally function as coenzymes. |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Coenzyme used in removing CO2 from organic compounds. Symptoms of deficiency: berberi (nerve disorders, emaciation, anemia). |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Component of coenzymes FAD and FMN. Symptoms of deficiency: skin lesions such as cracks at corners of mouth. |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Component of coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+. Symptoms of deficiency: skin and gastrointestinal lesions, nervous disorders. Symptoms of extreme excess: liver damage. |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Coenzyme used in amino acid metabolism. Symptoms of deficiency: irritability, convulsions, muscular twitching, anemia. Symptoms of extreme excess: unstable gait, numb feet, poor coordination. |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Component of coenzyme A. Symptoms of deficiency: fatigue, numbness, tingling of hands and feet. |
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Folic acid (folacin) (B9) |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Coenzyme in nucleic acid and amino acid metabolism. Symptoms of deficiency: anemia, birth defects. Symptoms of extreme excess: may mask deficiency of Vitamin B12. |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Coenzyme in nucleic acid metabolism; maturation of red blood cells. Symptoms of deficiency: anemia, nervous system disorders. |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Coenzyme in synthesis of fat, glycogen, and amino acids. Symptoms of deficiency: scaly skin inflammation, neuromuscular disorders. |
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Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) |
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Water-soluble vitamin. Used in collagen synthesis (such as for bone, cartilage, gums); antioxidant; aids in detoxification; improves iron absorption. Symptoms of deficiency: scurvy (degeneration of skin, teeth, blood vessels), weakness, delayed wound healing, impaired immunity. Symptoms of extreme excess: gastrointestinal upset. |
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Fat-soluble vitamin. Component of visual pigments; maintenance of epithelial tissues; antioxidant; helps prevent damage to cell membranes. Symptoms of deficiency: blindness and increased death rate. Symptoms of extreme excess: headache, irritability, vomiting, hair loss, blurred vision, liver and bone damage. |
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Fat-soluble vitamin. Aids in absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus; promotes bone growth. Symptoms of deficiency: rickets (bone deformities) in children, bone softening in adults. Symptoms of extreme excess: brain, cardiovascular, and kidney damage. |
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Fat-soluble vitamin. Antioxidant; helps prevent damage to cell membranes. Symptoms of deficiency: degeneration of the nervous system. |
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Vitamin K (phylloquinone) |
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Fat-soluble vitamin. Important in blood clotting. Symptoms of deficiency: defective blood clotting. Symptoms of extreme excess: liver damage and anemia. |
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In nutrition, a simple nutrient that is inorganic and therefore cannot be synthesized. |
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The oxygen-binding protein of red blood cells. |
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Major functions: bone and tooth formation, blood clotting, nerve and muscle function. Symptoms of deficiency: retarded growth, possibly loss of bone mass. |
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Major functions: bone and tooth formation, acid-base balance, nucleotide synthesis. Symptoms of deficiency: Weakness, loss of minerals from bone, calcium loss. |
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Major functions: component of certain amino acids. Symptoms of deficiency: symptoms of protein deficiency. |
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Major functions: acid-base balance, water balance, nerve function. Symptoms of deficiency: Muscular weakness, paralysis, nausea, heart failure. |
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Major functions: acid-base balance, formation of gastric juice, nerve function, osmotic balance. Symptoms of deficiency: muscle cramps, reduced appetite. |
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Major functions: acid-base balance, water balance, nerve function. Symptoms of deficiency: muscle cramps, reduced appetite. |
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Major functions: cofactor; ATP bioenergetics. Symptoms of deficiency: nervous system disturbances. |
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Major functions: component of hemoglobin and of electron carriers in energy metabolism; enzyme cofactor. Symptoms of deficiency: anemia, weakness, impaired immunity. |
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Major functions: maintenance of tooth (and probably bone) structure. Symptoms of deficiency: higher frequency of tooth decay. |
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Major functions: component of certain digestive enzymes and other proteins. Symptoms of deficiency: growth failure, skin abnormalities, reproductive failure, impaired immunity. |
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Major functions: enzyme cofactor in iron metabolism, melanin synthesis, electron transport. Symptoms of deficiency: anemia, cardiovascular abnormalities. |
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Major functions: enzyme cofactor. Symptoms of deficiency: abnormal bone and cartilage. |
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Major functions: component of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of deficiency: goiter (enlarged thyroid). |
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Major functions: component of Vitamin B12. Symptoms of deficiency: none, except as B12 deficiency. |
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Major functions: enzyme cofactor; antioxidant functioning in close association with Vitamin E. Symptoms of deficiency: muscle pain, possibly heart muscle deterioration. |
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Major functions: involved in glucose and energy metabolism. Symptoms of deficiency: impaired glucose metabolism. |
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Major functions: enzyme cofactor. Symptoms of deficiency: disorder in excretion of nitrogen-containing compounds. |
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A condition that results from a diet that consistently supplies less chemical energy than the body requires. |
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The long-term absence from the diet of one or more essential nutrients. |
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Leads individuals, usually female, to starve themselves compulsively. |
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A strain of rice engineered to synthesize beta-carotene, the orange-colored source of Vitamin A that is abundant in carrots. |
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Causes iron buildup in the absence of any abnormal iron consumption or exposure. |
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The study of human health and disease at the population level. |
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A serious and sometimes fatal type of birth defect that occurs when tissue fails to enclose the developing brain and spinal cord. |
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