Nutrition Final

• Vitamin C deficiency

  • SCURVY
  • swollen hemorrhagic gingivitis
  • loose teeth
  • dry mouth
  • petechiae and bruising
  • poor healing
  • joint pain
  • defective skeletal calcifications
• Vitamin C functions

  • Collagen synthesis
  • promotes capillary integrity
  • Strengthens immune system function
  • aids in the utilization of folic acid and vitamin b12
• What is the role of vitamin c in nutrient absorption

  Aids with iron and calcium absorption
• Vitamin C coenzyme function in metabolism 


  Metabolism of amino acids and biosynthesis of bile acids, thyroxine, epinephrine, and steroid hormones
• Vitamin D deficiency

  • rickets: children
  • osteomalacia: adults

  general weakness
• Vitamin D deficiency signs

  • Delayed formation of dentition and poorly calcified teeth
  • bone deformities and bone pain
• Vitamin D functions

  • Assists with calcium and phosphorus absorption and maintaining blood homeostasis of calcium levels
  • assists with bone formation, remodeling and growth
  • Nerve and muscle function
  • immune system function
  • assists with reducing inflammation
  • may be involved with hematopoiesis
• Vitamin A deficiency

  • Hypovitaminosis A signs
  • slow growth
  • poor immune system function
  • night blindeness
  • increased PD incidence
  • xerostomia
  • impaired growth of teeth and bone
  • poor wound healing
• Vitamin A excess

  • Increased risk of lung cancer in smokers
  • double vision (diplopia)
  • reduced bone density
  • nausea, vomiting, fatigue
  • birth defects during pregnancy
  • dry, rough skin and mucosa
  • reddened gingiva
  • cracked lips; thinning of epithelium
• Riboflavin (B2) deficiency

  • Ariboflavinosis (rare)
  • sometimes attributed to thyroid hormone deficiency
• Ariboflavinosis symptoms

  • Photophobia
  • eye burning and itching
  • loss of visual acuity
  • dermatitis
  • anemia
• Riboflavin (B2) oral manifestations

  • Glossitis: progressive papillary atrophy and patchy, irregular denudation
  • Angular cheilitis
• Groups affected by Riboflavin (B2)

  • Vegetarians
  • pregnant and lactating women
  • lactose intolerant people
• Cobalamin B12 deficiency

  • Pernicious anemia (megaloblastic anemia)
• Pernicious anemia


  Prevents absorption of the vitamin from the digestive tract
• Cobalamin B12 deficiency signs

  • Nerve damage (tingling feet)
  • constipation
  • depression
  • memory loss
  • tongue and oral mucosa soreness
• Cobalamin B12 deficiency high risk groups

  • GI disorders
  • weight loss surgery
  • vegans
• Vitamin K deficiency

  • May occur with the use of broad-spectrum anti-infective drugs
  • GI disorders
  • increased bleeding time, failure to clot
• Vitamin K assists in clotting, so without enough, blood won’t clot properly
• Fat soluble vitamins

  • A
  • D
  • E
  • K
• Water soluble vitamins

  • C
  • all of the B vitamin complex
• Water soluble vitamins dont get deposited so may need to consume daily
• water soluble vitamins characteristics

  • Organic substances
  • b-vitamins contain nitrogen
  • act as coenzymes
  • readily absorbed in jejunum (don’t need transfer)
  • Body stores very small amounts
  • daily intake necessary
• Fat soluble vitamins characteristics

  • Soluble In fat or fat solvents
  • fairly stable in heat when cooking
  • organic substances
  • absorbed in intestine
  • requires bile for absorption
  • transported via lymphatic system
  • stored in liver and adipose tissues
• Fat and water soluble vitamins differ in:

  • Food sources of vitamins
  • vitamin stability during cooking
  • function in body
  • absorption and distribution in body
  • body’s ability to store the vitamin in tissues for future use
• Niacin deficiency 


  Pellagra:

  • degeneration of the skin, GI tracts, and nervous system
  • rare in US because of fortified foods
  • occurs in areas where maize is major part of diet
  • dermatitis: always bilaterally symmetrical
  • diarrhea
  • dementia
  • death if untreated
• Folate B9 deficiency high risk groups

  • Alcoholics
  • GI diseases
  • poor diet
  • pregnant women
  • adults
• Folate B9 deficiency in pregnant women

  • fetal neural tube defects, cleft lip/palate
  • low birth weight
  • fetal growth retardation
• Folate B9 deficiency in adults

  • Ulcerated tongue, mucosal lesions
  • epidermal discolorations
  • headache
  • difficulty concentrating
  • heart palpitations
  • megaloblastic anemia
• Beriberi

  Thiamin B1 deficiency

  “I cannot”
• Thiamin B1 deficiency

  • Beriberi
  • peripheral neuropathy and muscle wasting
  • Cardiovascular symptoms include tachycardia and enlarged heart
  • rare in US
• What causes red, beefy tongue?

  B12 deficiency
• Which vitamin helps with dentin formation?

  Vitamin C
• Vitamin C roles in wound repair

  • strengthens immune system function
  • possesses some antihistamine properties to reduce swelling
• Oral implications of Niacin deficiency

  • Scarlet beefy tongue
• Niacin flush


  50mg of niacin taken daily can function as a vasodilator producing flushing of the skin, itching, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, and severe liver damage
• Sodium (Na) function

  • Regulation of blood volume and blood pressure
  • conduction of nerve impulses and muscle contraction
• Common mineral deficiencies

  • Calcium
  • zinc
  • iron
  • magnesium
  • iodide
• minerals responsible for the acid/base balance of blood

  Electrolytes
• calcium sources

  • dairy products
  • soy
  • almond milk