1. What are the proper names for Vitamin E?
2. How is it absorbed?
3. How many forms are there, and which has the highest biologic activity?

1. Tocopherols and Tocotrienols
2. It is coabsorbed passively with fats in ileum (it is fat-soluble with associated alcohols), requiring bile salts. This is so it can be incorporated into chylomicrons for delivery to the liver.
3. There are 8. α- tocopherol 

What are 3 functions of Vitamin E?

Antioxidant

Inhibits cell proliferation, platelet aggregation and monocyte adhesion.

Maintains fertility

They are rare except in people who have problems absorbing fats (eg. pancreatic insufficiency).

Causes neurologic dysfunction and loss of tendon reflex.

Ample quantities can prevent blindness in children with retrolental fibroplasias.

Upper limit is 1000mg/day

Can interfere with clot formation by ↓ platelet aggregation and interfering with Vitamin K.

Supplements should be avoided after surgery when the patient is typically taking a blood thinner siuch as Coumadin.

Nature's most effective antioxidant.

Does not reduce risk of heart attacks but may reduce cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetics.

Absorbed by jejunum and ileum.

Levels of vit C in blood exceeds reabsorption threshold being excreted in urine. 

Alcohol reduces absorption and cigarettes deplete tissues.

Collagen repair in wound healing and regenration.

Nucleotide synthesis.

Antioxidant

Those who have severe burns, fractures, pneumonia, rheumatic fever or tuberculosis and those who have just undergone surgery have increased requirements.

Scurvy-muscle weakness, joint pain, loose teeth, bad wound healing, bruised skin, fatigue and re-opening of scars.

Alcohol decreases absorption and cigarettes deplete tissue levels. 

It is water soluble, therefore the body excretes excess. However, Vit. C is metabolized to oxalic acid and oxalate in excretions can cause kidney stones.

Doses in excess of 2,000 mg/day can cause nausea, diarrhea, and cramps. 

It is the first line of defense against free radicals in aqueous compartments.

Prevention of cancer, arthersclerosis and colds is controversial. 

Thiamin (B1) form and absorption.

Note: can also be written Thiamine (contraction of Thio-vitamin)

It is a water soluble vitamin.

Absorbed in jejunum via active transport and passive transport when intake levels are high.

Folate deficiency and alcohol reduce absorption.

Not stored to any great extent so daily intake required. 

Beriberi.

Rare in US since most foods are fortified.

Early deficiency is characterized by poor appetite, irritability, apathy, confusion and weight loss. 

Advanced stages of beriberi affect nervous and cardiovascular system.

Wet beriberi = cardiomyopathy and edema. 

Can also cause Wernicke encephalopathy.

Thiamin (B1) toxicity

Role in disease prevention.

None

Prompt administration of thiamin is indicated for the alcoholic patient who shows signs of Wernicke Encephalopathy (a neurological consequence of B1 deficiency characterized by opthalmoparesis, ataxia and encephalopathy)

What are 3 classes of Phytochemicals?

Give examples of each group.

1. Flavinoids- Resveratrol (red grapes), Anthocyanidins (blueberries), Quercetins (cale and apples), Isoflavones (soybeans). These chemicals are polyphenols, making them ideal for absorbing free radicals
2. Carotenoids- β carotene (carrots), lycopene (tomatoes), lutein (spinach)
3. Sulfur compounds - sulphoraphane (Broccoli), indoles (cabbage), ellagic acid (strawberries), alliin (onions, garlic), glucosinolates (cauliflower and cabbage). 

1. What is another name for Omega-6 Fatty Acid?
2. What are the dietary sources?
3. What is the RDI?
4. Prevention of disease?

1. Linoleic acid (essential nutrient)
2. Vegetable oils: corn, canola, sunflower, safflower and soybean.
3. 17 g/day for men and 12g/day for women.
4. PUFA reduces LDLs and HDLs and thus lowers CHD (coronary heart disease). 

It may cause prostate cancer.

It increases inflammatory response by upregulating the expression of phospholipase A2→causes production of COX2 and therefore more PGE2

EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexenoic acid) as well as 18-C alpha linolenic acid

1. Omega-3 and disease prevention.
2. What are some dietary sources?

1. Long chain FAs decrease serum TGs, platelet aggregation, and inflammation. Therefore, they have cardiac benefits.  (May slightly increase LDLs).
2. Flax seed, salmon, sardines, tuna, swordfish and herring.