Food tech

• Vitamin c (absorbic acid)


  function:

  • absorption of iron
  • products of collagen that binds connective tissue
  • antioxidant - protects from pollutants in the environment
• Vitamin C (absorbic acid)


  sources:

  • citrus fruits
  • kiwi fruits
  • black currants
  • potates
  • salad and green vegetables
• Vitamin C (absorbic acid)


  deficiency:

  • weak connective tissue and blood vessels
  • bleeding gums and loose teeth
  • anemia
  • severe cases - scurvy
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)


  function:

  • supports production of energy
  • protective coating around nerve cells
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)


  sources:

  • meat and fish
  • cheese, eggs and milk
  • marmite
  • fortified breakfast cereals
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)


  deficiency: pernicious anaemia
• Vitamin B9 (Folate / Folic Acid) 


  function:

  • Neural tube development
  • development of unborn babies
• Vitamin B9 (Folate / Folic Acid) 


  Sources:

  • green leafy vegetables
  • potatoes, asparagus, bananas
  • beans, seeds and nuts
  • whole grain products
  • breakfast cereals
• Vitamin B9 (Folate / Folic Acid) 


  deficiency:

  • Spina Bifida in unborn babies, so pregnant women need a good supply
• Vitamin B3 (niancin) 


  Functions:

  • energy release from carbohydrates
  • healthy nervous system and skin
• Vitamin B3 (niancin) 


  Sources:

  • dairy products
  • meat and poultry
  • cereals and whole grain products
• Vitamin B3 (niancin) 


  deficiency:

  • very rare
  • pellagra could develop - diarrhoea, dermatitis, dementia
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 


  function:

  • energy release from foods
  • healthy nervous system
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 


  sources:

  • whole grain products
  • meat
  • nuts
  • milk and dairy
  • fortified white and brown flour
  • fortified breakfast cereals
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 


  Deficiency:

  • cracking skin around the mouth
  • swollen tongue
  • failure to grow
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin)


  functions:

  • release of energy from carbohydrates
  • nervous system function
  • normal growth of children
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 


  sources:

  • whole grain products
  • meat
  • milk and dairy
  • nuts
  • fortified breakfast cereals
  • fortified white and brown flour
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 


  deficiency:

  • beri beri, which affects the nervous system
• Vitamin K (phytomenadione) 


  functions: normal blood clotting
• Vitamin K (phytomenadione) 


  sources: green leafy vegetables, cheese, bacon and liver
• Vitamin K (phytomenadione) 


  deficiency: rare, babies given a dose when they're born
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) 


  functions:

  • anti oxidant that protects cell membranes
  • maintains healthy skin and eyes
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) 


  Sources:

  • polyunsaturated fats - sunflower oil
  • nuts, seeds, wheat germ
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) 


  deficiency/excess: very rare
• Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 


  functions:

  • absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus
  • maintenance and strength of teeth and bones
• Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 


  sources:

  • oily fish, meat, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals, margarines
  • sunlight on skin
• Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 


  deficiencies:

  • bones can become weak - rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults
  • weak teeth
• Vitamin A (retinol, beta carotene) 


  function:

  • iron metabolism
  • vision maintenance
  • skin and mucus membrane maintenance
  • immune system function
• Vitamin A (retinol, beta carotene) 



  sources:

  • animal sources - liver, whole milk
  • plant sources - green vegetables, carrots, orange fruits
  • margarine
• Vitamin A (retinol, beta carotene) 


  excess:

  • can be toxic - liver and bone damage
  • retinol excess can lead to birth defects
• Vitamin A (retinol, beta carotene) 



  deficiency: night blindness