Vitamins and Minerals

1
The Nature of Vitamins
Vitamins are organic (carbon) compounds
needed for normal function, growth and
maintenance.
Vitamins are cofactors, they dont do anything
by themselves.
They are not a source of calories.
2
The Nature of Vitamins
Organic cofactors what is a cofactor?
Water analogy, scissor analogy
Physiological role specific metabolic function
Prevents disease unlike supplements which
may promote some thing or have general
metabolic effect
(ex. Omega 3s, fibers)
Natural = Synthetic (except Vitamin E)
3
The Nature of Vitamins
Nutritional Value lost by:
Light
Heat
Oxidation
Bacteria
Enzymes
Insects
(Nutritional value of baby
food must be assured.)
4
Effect of packaging on
nutrient loss in milk.
The Nature of Vitamins
Food processing can
preserve nutrients.


5
Vitamin Requirements
Daily Values (DV): standard nutrient intake values
developed by FDA
Includes DRIs (Daily Recommended Intakes for Individuals) and (DRVs)
Daily Recommended Values (Proteins, etc.)
Disease prevention
Best met through a consumption of a wide variety of foods
Vitamin Requirements
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI):
recommendation for individuals (more accurate,
but would be impossible to label)
Age
Gender
Pregnancy
Lactation
7
Vitamin Requirements
Daily Reference Values (DRV): standards
established for protein and other dietary
components lacking a RDA or nutrient standard
Constitute part of the Daily Values (DV) used on
food labels
8
Dietary Supplements
$6 Billion Market
They are classified as Nutritional Supplements They are not foods, and not
drugs.*
Supplements are Product intended to supplement the diet and contains
vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, and their extracts.
NOT consumed as a food replacement
Loosely regulated, not evaluated by FDA

By definition a drug is used to
prevent, treat or cure disease.
These terms cannot be used
with supplements.
Use of some supplements is backed by
scientific data.
Dr. Montvilles Favorite Supplements
Glucosamine
Omega 3
Folic acid
Ginko baloba
Ground rhinos horn.
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Fat Soluble Vitamins
A orange, carotenoids, vision, antioxidant- used as color
and antioxidant

D we make it with sunlight, deficiency causes rickets, in
milk, regulates Ca:P ratios

E tocopherols, antioxidants, role in preventing stroke,
cancer, heart disease- used as antioxidant

K contributes to blood clotting factor
11
Vitamin A
12
Lots of double bonds, good anti-oxidant
Vitamin A
Carrotinoids Used in food industry as a
colorant (orange) (label friendly)
Antioxidant (label friendly)
Stored in liver
Important for sight
Deficiency causes ~500,000 cases of night
blindness worldwide
Genetically engineered rice with high Vitamin
A can prevent night blindness
Carrotenosis

13
Vitamin D
Also known as calciferol due to its role in calcium
absorption

Main role is to maintain calcium and potassium levels

It is the only fat soluble vitamin that we can make- in the
presence of sunlight

Can be made from cholesterol

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Vitamin D
Can be stored in fat tissues (as can all fat soluble vitamins)
We get vitamin D form fortified milk and cereal
Toxicity is very dangerous
Occurs only from excess supplementation
Can lead to calcium deposits in kidneys, heart and
blood vessels
15
Vitamin D
16
Rickets can be caused by lack of
sunlight, but also from insufficient
calcium. Vitamin D linked to
calcium absorption.
(Rickets reported in NYC.)
Vitamin E
Used as an anti-oxidant in foods
Since aging is considered an oxidation reaction, many
anti-oxidants are used as dietary supplements
Deficiencies are not well understood
Role is stroke, cancer, heart, and immune response
Americans spend $300 million per year on vitamin E
supplements
17
Vitamin K
Contributes to synthesis of seven blood clotting factors

Can be reactivated to continue biological action

Works as a cofactor for an enzyme that makes two bone
proteins
18
Water Soluble Vitamins
Relatively cheap to add to food
Only Vitamin C is used for its
functionality

19
Water Soluble Vitamins
B
1
, thiamine
B
2
, riboflavin
B
6
, pyridoxamine
B
12
Biotin
Panothenic acid
Niacin
Folacin

Vitamin C
20
Water Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B
1

Thiamine
Involved in carbohydrate metabolism
Helps body metabolize glucose, affects central nervous
system
Deficiency causes Beri beri
(Singlese, I cant, I cant)

B
2
- riboflavin
Energy metabolism
Water Soluble Vitamins
B
6
- Pyridoxamine
Neurotransmitter, co-enzyme in over 100 reactions

B
12

Development of red blood cells
Lack of it makes one anemic
Hard for vegans to get
22
Water Soluble Vitamins
Biotin
Involved in fatty acid synthesis
Deficiency causes skin disease and hair loss

Panthothenic acid
Found in many foods
Essential for metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, alcohol and fat
23
Water Soluble Vitamins
Choline
A major component of cell
membranes
Folacin = Folate = Folic acid
Deficiency causes neural tube
defects in utero
24
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid
Very inexpensive to add to food, marketing tool. Antioxidant
Deficiency leads to bleeding gums, hemorrhages
High in citrus fruits, limes, (Limeys)
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Vitamin C - Scurvy
26
Niacin (B3)
Energy metabolism
Disease pellagra The Four Ds
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Dementia
Death
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Minerals
Issues
Absorption
Bioavailability
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Minerals
Percent of Body weight
Calcium 2%
Phosphorus 1%
Potassium 0.3%
Sulfur 0.2%
Sodium 0.1%
Chloride 0.1%
Magnesium 0.05%
Iron 0.04%
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Minerals
Calcium
99% is structural
~25% absorption
Vitamin D aids absorption
75% is obtained from dairy
products
Many products are fortified
with it
Built in youth, lost in
maturity

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Very hard for vegans to get
enough calcium
Calcium
Osteoporosis a pediatric disease
with geriatric consequences
1.5 million fractures each year-
major cause of subsequent
mortality (25% within one year)
14 billion in direct health cost
25 million women at risk
DRI women 600 800 mg/day

National Osteoporosis Foundation
www.nof.org


31
Calcium
32
Risk Factors- By Mayo Clinic staff
Your gender.
Age.
Race.
Frame size.
Eating disorders.
Low calcium intake.
Excess soda consumption (Ca:P ratio).
The link between osteoporosis and caffeinated sodas isn't clear, but
caffeine may interfere with calcium absorption and its diuretic effect
may increase mineral loss. In addition, the phosphoric acid in soda
may contribute to bone loss.
Bone density can be improved at any time.
Soda is the devils drink
Extra calories
Poor nutrient density
Interferes with calcification
Replaces more nutritious
drinks

34
35
Minerals
Phosphorus
Easily absorbed by the body
Enhanced by Vitamin D
Deficiency are rare
Soda, phosphoric acid

Potassium
A primary electrolyte in blood
Associated with lower blood pressure
Athletes

36
Minerals
Sodium and Chloride
Added during processing
Enhances flavor
We consume 2X of what we need (DV = 2.4 grams, 1/10 ounce) (show)
Excess Sodium can lead to hypertension
High blood pressure
Salt sensitivity genetics and race

37
Salt Uses in Food
Enhances other flavors, cuts cost
Salty taste, per se
Increases consumer acceptance
Raises boiling point of liquids (pasta)
Masks bitter tastes
Food safety
Water binding
38
Minerals
Sulfur
Necessary for collagen formation

Magnesium
Abundant in plants

39
Minerals
Iron
Most common and easily preventable deficiency
Needed for oxygen absorption, immune function, developmental
performance
Poor absorption from plant sources
Low iron causes anemia, especially in menstruating women
Toxicity
6 12 vitamins with 100% iron content will kill a
small child
(The dose makes the poison.)
Fortification vs Enrichment
Fortification - restores lost
nutrients due to processing

Enrichment adds nutritional value to
meet a specific standard



Old London
Restaurant Style Croutons. Seasoned
Sourdough.
Enriched Bread,
[Enriched Flour
(Flour,
Niacin,
Ferrous Sulfate,
Thiamin Mononitrate,
Riboflavin,
Folic Acid),
Water,
Yeast,
Sugar,
Salt,
Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil ,
Vinegar,
Ascorbic Acid]
Bean Oil with BHT added as a Dextrin
Enriched Uranium
Enriched Uranium