Principles of Nutrition

Created by: Becca
Created on: 22-12-13 19:27

What is nutrition?

The provision of nourishment & how food influences body function and health

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Define 'nutrient requirements' & 'nutrient recommendations'.

Requirements = amount needed to prevent disease. Recommendations = optimum amounts. Normally recommendations > requirements (except for energy)

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Where is dietary fibre found? What is its role?

Found in plant cell walls, soluble (pectin), insoluble (cellulose), can't be absorbed by SI, fermented by bacteria in colon. Bulking effect, water holding agent, increases stool size & speeds up colonic transit

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What is calcium needed for? How is it absorbed in the intestines?

Needed for bones, cell signalling, muscle function. Absorbed via the calcium binding protein calbindin, regulated by vit D. Low Ca stimulates PTH & vit D secretion, increases Ca absorption. Calcitonin secreted from thyroid when Ca high

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What is iron needed for? How is it stored?

Needed for Hb in RBCs, electron transport (ferrous Fe2+, ferric Fe3+). Stored in reticulo-endothelial system (spleen/liver) & bone marrow. Transferin transfers Fe to bone marrow, reflected by plasma Ferritin.

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What are the dietary sources of iron? How is it absorbed?

Sources: haem (10%) meat, non-haem (90%) vegetables. Absorbed in ferrous (Fe2+) form, enhanced by reducing agents e.g. ascorbic acid, reduces ferric form for absorption

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Define 'nutrient requirements' & 'nutrient recommendations'.

Back

Requirements = amount needed to prevent disease. Recommendations = optimum amounts. Normally recommendations > requirements (except for energy)

Card 3

Front

Where is dietary fibre found? What is its role?

Back

Card 4

Front

What is calcium needed for? How is it absorbed in the intestines?

Back

Card 5

Front

What is iron needed for? How is it stored?

Back

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Principles of Nutrition