Human Biochemistry · Beriberi Caused by lack of Vitamin B 1 (thiamine) Common in diets where white rice is the only source of energy ... • Deﬁciency causes scurvy • Scurvy

Human Biochemistry Micro & Macronutrients

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Macro vs. MicroSo far, we have talked about nutrients that we require in relatively large amounts: proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

We require other things in large amounts as well: sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur and

chlorine

MACRONUTRIENTS

Now we will discuss nutrients we require in smaller amounts, such as: iron, copper, fluorine, zinc, iodine,

selenium, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, cobaltand boron

MICRONUTRIENTSTuesday, April 10, 2012

Vitamins - Vitamins are molecules that are essential to an animal’s metabolism but the animal can’t synthesize it itself - Vitamins are often co-factors of enzymes (the enzyme can’t function without it!)

Vitamin A

Vitamin E

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Vitamin C


CLASSIFICATION OF VITAMINS

Water Soluble Fat Soluble

- Have more OH groups that form Hydrogen bonds with water

ie) Vitamins B,C

- Have few OH groups and form Van de Waals with non-

polar fats

ie) Vitamins A, D, E, K


OH

Water or Fat Soluble?

OH

FAT SOLUBLE

FAT SOLUBLE

WATER SOLUBLE

Vitamin A

Vitamin D

Vitamin C


Death by Vitamins


What happens if you don’t have enough

vitamins?


Anemia Caused by lack of iron

In developed countries, poor diet choices are often

the cause

In developing countries, no

access to foods rich in iron is

often the cause

Fortifying flour with iron is one potential solutionTuesday, April 10, 2012

Goitre

Iodine is necessary for synthesis of thyroid hormonesLack of iodine causes lack of these hormones

In response to low thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland released Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Increased TSH causes the thyroid to swellA large thyroid is called a Goitre

Caused by lack of Iodine

Current solution is to have Iodized Salt

Mental retardation is a result of iodine deficiency during fetal development


PellagraCaused by lack of vitamin B3 (niacin)

and tryptophan* niacin is a precursor of NAD+

Tryptophan can be converted into niacin so eating foods rich in the

amino acid can prevent it

Symptoms include dermatitis and dementia and death


BeriberiCaused by lack of Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Common in diets where white rice is the only source of energy

Thiamine plays a role in converting carbs to energy, as well as

functioning of heart, muscles and nervous system


Vitamin A

• Derived from carotene

• Required to make rhodopsin, which is the light sensitive material in the rods of the retina

• Deficiency symptoms include night blindness, skin dryness

• 3 million preschool children are blind because of a deficiency


Vitamin C

• Enhances the absorption of iron from vegetables

• Deficiency causes scurvy

• Scurvy causes bleeding, weakening of gums, tooth decay and loss of teeth

• Formation & maintenance of collagen, involved in bones and teeth


Vitamin D

• Needed for bone formation & the retention of calcium and phosphorus

• Deficiency symptoms include rickets, which is a deformity of the ribcage, skull and causing bow legs

• Excessive Vitamin D causes calcium deposits on organs


What happens if you don’t have enough Macronutrients?

Poor Growth & Starvation Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Marasmus vs. KwashiorkorMarasmus - affects children

under the age of 1Result of severe nutrient

deficiency, especially protein and energy-providing foods

Kwashiorkor - affects older children

Result of a diet lacking proteinSymptoms include swollen abdomen

as well as weight loss Tuesday, April 10, 2012


Try it!


Documents

Human Biochemistry · Beriberi Caused by lack of Vitamin B 1 (thiamine) Common in diets where white rice is the only source of energy ... • Deﬁciency causes scurvy • Scurvy