Food And Nutrition 3rd Edition - Chapter 19 Testbank

Poor night vision and skin infections are symptoms commonly associated with a deficiency of Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the skin and mucous membranes, preventing infections and promoting wound healing. Therefore, a deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to impaired night vision and increased susceptibility to skin infections.

Folate is important for the prevention of diseases such as neural tube defects in newborn babies, heart disease, and cancer. Neural tube defects can occur in babies if there is a deficiency of folate during pregnancy. Folate is also essential for the production and maintenance of new cells, which helps in preventing heart disease and certain types of cancer. Therefore, ensuring an adequate intake of folate is crucial for the prevention of these diseases.

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins because they can dissolve in fat and be stored in the body's fatty tissues. These vitamins are absorbed along with dietary fats and are stored in the liver and adipose tissue for later use. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, which are not stored in the body and are excreted through urine, fat-soluble vitamins can be stored for longer periods of time. These vitamins play important roles in various bodily functions, such as vision (vitamin A), bone health (vitamin D), antioxidant protection (vitamin E), and blood clotting (vitamin K).

People who are house-bound, institutionalized, or who work at night are at an increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency. This is because Vitamin D is primarily synthesized in the skin through exposure to sunlight. Therefore, individuals who have limited exposure to sunlight, such as those who are house-bound or work at night, are more likely to have lower levels of Vitamin D in their body. Vitamin D is important for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being, so a deficiency can lead to various health problems.

Adequate vitamin C intake is necessary to prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is also essential for collagen synthesis, which is important for maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Additionally, vitamin C plays a role in blood clotting, so a deficiency can lead to bleeding and bruising. Moreover, vitamin C is known to strengthen the immune system, reducing susceptibility to infections. Therefore, all of the mentioned conditions can be prevented by ensuring sufficient intake of vitamin C.

Vitamin B12 is supplied almost entirely by foods of animal origin. This is because vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based foods do not contain vitamin B12 unless they are fortified with it. Therefore, individuals who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and may need to supplement their diet with vitamin B12 or consume fortified foods to meet their requirements.

Excessive vitamin intake has not been demonstrated to be beneficial in humans, as the body can only absorb and utilize a certain amount of vitamins. It has been shown to cause toxicity for some vitamins, as consuming too much of certain vitamins can lead to adverse health effects. Excessive vitamin intake has also been shown to interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, as high levels of certain vitamins can compete with the absorption of other essential nutrients. Lastly, it has been shown to cause increased excretion of water-soluble vitamins, as the body eliminates excess water-soluble vitamins through urine.

A deficiency of niacin can result in pellagra, which is a disease characterized by symptoms such as dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. Pellagra is caused by a lack of niacin or tryptophan, which are both sources of vitamin B3. Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, which can cause redness, itching, and rashes. Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose or watery stools. Dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function, including memory loss, difficulty with reasoning and problem-solving, and changes in behavior and mood. Therefore, all of the above symptoms can be caused by a deficiency of niacin.

Sweet potato is a good source of vitamin A because it is rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, immune function, and cell growth. Consuming sweet potatoes can help meet the daily recommended intake of vitamin A and promote overall health.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurological disorder commonly found in alcoholics. It is caused by a deficiency of thiamin, also known as vitamin B1. Thiamin is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and deficiency can lead to severe cognitive impairments and neurological symptoms. Alcoholics are at a higher risk of developing this syndrome due to poor nutrition and impaired absorption of thiamin. Therefore, thiamin deficiency is the correct answer for this question.

Vitamin B6 is involved in protein metabolism, specifically in the conversion of amino acids into proteins. When there is a high intake of protein, the body requires more vitamin B6 to support this process. Vitamin C is not directly involved in protein metabolism, but it does have other important functions in the body. Vitamin A is involved in vision and immune function, while carnitine is involved in the transport of fatty acids. Thiamin is important for energy metabolism, but it is not specifically involved in protein metabolism.

Intestinal bacteria supply at least half of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for Vitamin K. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health. While it is also found in certain foods like leafy green vegetables, the bacteria in our intestines produce a significant amount of Vitamin K, making it an essential source.

Riboflavin is the correct answer because it is a vitamin that is found in milk and is susceptible to destruction by the action of UV rays in sunlight. UV rays can break down riboflavin molecules, leading to a decrease in its concentration and nutritional value. This is why milk is often packaged in opaque containers to protect it from sunlight and preserve the riboflavin content.

Dicing fruits and vegetables into small pieces is most likely to cause large losses of vitamins because when the fruits and vegetables are cut into small pieces, more surface area is exposed to air and heat. This increased exposure to air and heat can lead to the oxidation and breakdown of vitamins, resulting in their loss.

When wholegrain cereals are refined, they undergo a process that removes the outer bran and germ layers, which contain the majority of the vitamins. Thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin E are all found in these outer layers, so they are lost during the refining process.