Micro- and macro-nutrients

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Micro- and macro-nutrients
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Definitions
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• Micro-nutrients They are substances which are
  required by the body in small amounts and are
  co-factor of enzymes. They include vitamins and
  trace minerals such as Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe
• Macro-nutrients They are substance required in
  large amounts and include proteins, fats,
  carbohydrates and minerals (Na, Ca, S, Cl)?

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VITAMINS

• Vitamins are known as fat soluble or water
  soluble
• Fat soluble vitamins (A, D,E, K) are long with a
  non-polar hydrocarbon chain or ring
• They are able to accumulate in the fatty tissue
  of the body
• Water soluble vitamins (C and the eight B-group
  vitamins) contain hydrogen which is attached to
  an electronegative oxygen or nitrogen which can
  form hydrogen bonds with water molecules
• They cannot be stored. They must be consumed
  every day.

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• Vitamins containing CC double bonds and OH
  groups are easily oxidised and keeping food
  refrigerated slows down this process

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TYPES OF VITAMINS
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VITAMIN A (RETINOL)?
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• It contains only one OH group
• It is fat soluble due to its long non-polar
  hydrocarbon chain
• It is not easily broken down by cooking
• Required for the production of rhodopsingtlight
  changes its conformationgt creation of nerve
  impulsegt vision

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VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID)?
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• Due to the number of OH groups this vitamin is
  soluble in water
• It is not retained for long in the body
• A disease known as scorbutus (scurvy) is
  associated with the lack of this vitamin
• The symptoms are swollen legs, rotten gums
• It was most commonly noticed in sailors who spent
  long periods of time without fresh food

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VITAMIN D (CALCIFEROL)?
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• It is a large hydrocarbon with one OH group and
  it is fat soluble
• A deficiency of vitamin D leads to bone
  softening and malformation which is known as
  rickets

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MALNUTRITION
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• This occurs when either too much food is
  consumed leading to obesity or the diet is
  lacking in certain micro- or macro- nutrients

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MICRO-NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

• Fe ? anaemia gt fatigue
• I ? goiter gt swallen thyroid gland
• Vitamin A ? xerophthalmia night blindness
• Vitamin B3 ? pellagra gt diarrhea, dementia,
  dermatitis
• Vitamin B1 ? beriberi gt muscles, heart, nerves
• Vitamin C ? scurvy gt rotten gums
• Vitamin D ? rickets gt malformation/softening of
  bones

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MACRO-NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

• Deficiency in macronutrient such as proteins
  cause marasmus (growth retardation) and
  kwashiorkor (fatigue, weight loss)
• Deficiency in Ca produces osteoporosis
• Deficiency in Na produces cramps

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CAUSES OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

• Developed world- low income- poor eating
  habits
• Developing world- poverty- famine

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SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT MALNUTRITION

• Eating fresh food rich in vitamins and minerals
• Adding nutrient which that are missing in
  commonly consumed foods
• Genetic modification of foods
• Providing nutritional supplements