1 What are the two characteristics that define a vitamin 2 W
1. What are the two characteristics that define a vitamin?
2. What are the four fat-soluble vitamins? List them. You don’t need to describe them.
3. What vitamin deficiency causes scurvy? What body structure isn’t made in scurvy? What group made this famous and was called limeys for it?
4. What two water soluble B vitamins does the body store?
5. The leading cause of childhood blindness is a result of what vitamin deficiency? Where is it stored?
6. Vitamin D deficiency leads to what condition in children and describe it? Where do most people get Vitamin D besides fortified foods and supplements?
7. If a person has low calcium in the body, what hormone is produced to activate more Vitamin D?
8. What two organs are involved in the activation of Vitamin D?
9. Vitamin E is known also as? What is its main function in the body? Why would a surgeon be concerned about someone taking Vitamin E supplements before surgery?
10. What are the two functions of Vitamin K?
11. Besides diet and supplements, what is another source of Vitamin K?
12. What major medication interferes, on purpose, with Vitamin K?
13. Why would chronic antibiotic usage lead to a Vitamin K deficiency and what symptoms would a patient have?
14. Why are infants routinely deficient in Vitamin K (two reasons) and therefore given Vitamin K?
15. What vitamin helps the absorption of iron? Why is this vitamin thought to be needed more in times of stress?
16. Describe what beriberi and Wernicke’s encephalopathy are? What does beriberi translate as?
17. Why nutritionally is milk stored in cardboard cartons versus glass?
18. What is pellagra and the “four Ds”?
19. What very common medical condition can high dose niacin treat?
20. What are the main functions of folate? At what point in pregnancy is folate critical to prevent spina bifida? What is its relationship to B12?
21. What is the intrinsic factor? Why do many vegans need b12 supplementation?
22. What is a phytochemical?
23. What mineral is essential for thyroid function? Name a natural source for it.
24. What is the main function of Fluoride?
25. What is hypokalemia? Hyperkalemia?
26. What is the RDA for calcium in a female?
27. What mineral is found the most in the body?
28. Sodium and potassium are found mostly extracellular or intracellular? (Hint: There may be two answers)
29. Sodium and potassium raise or lower blood pressure? (Hint: There may be two answers)
30.Which trace mineral is thought to have a positive effect on insulin and sugar function? Which trace mineral is thought to have a positive effect on insulin and sugar function?
Solution
Que 1:
The two characteristics that define a vitamin are:
-Vitamins that are soluble in water are called Water soluble. Vitamins B and Vitamins C are of this cayegory.
- The vitamins that are soluble in fat are called Fat soluble. Vitamins C, D, K belong to this category.

