Home > 10 Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals > TRACE ELEMENTS > Summary

Summary Body_ID: HC010086 Vitamins function mostly as cofactors to enzymes. Fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the adipose tissue but there usually is only a short-term supply of the water-soluble ones. Dietary micronutrient deficiencies are most likely to occur in susceptible groups with increased demand, or in people unable to maintain sufficient intake. Children, pregnant women, the elderly and low-income groups are particularly vulnerable. Gastrointestinal disease and gastrointestinal surgery are potential causes of micronutrient deficiencies. Vitamin and trace metal supplements are particularly important in patients who remain on artificial diets and on parenteral nutrition. While there are controversies regarding some vitamin supplementation, the intake of fruit and vegetables as sources of micronutrients is unequivocally recommended. Body_ID: P010091 ACTIVE LEARNING Body_ID: B010005 Compare and contrast the deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folic acid. When may an increased intake of a nutrient or energy precipitate vitamin deficiencies? Is vitamin A supplementation safe? Describe the clinical importance of copper. Which vitamins play a role in the development of hyperhomocysteinemia? Body_ID: PB10013 page 141 page 142 Body_ID: P0142 Further reading Body_ID: None Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report of the Panel on Dietary reference Values of the Committee on Medical aspects of Food Policy. London,TSO, 2003. Full article Body_ID: R010001 Colquhoun DM. Nutraceuticals: vitamins and other nutrients in coronary heart disease. Current Opinion Lipidol 2001;12:639-46. Full article Body_ID: R010002 Asplund K. Antioxidant vitamins in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. J Int Med 2002;251:372-92. Full article Body_ID: R010003 Fairfield, KM, Fletcher, RH. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: Scientific review. JAMA 2002;287:3116-26. Full article Body_ID: R010004 Fletcher RH. Fairfield KM. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: Clinical applications. JAMA 2002;287:3127-29. Full article Body_ID: R010005 Brown BG. Cheung MC,Lee, A C, Zhao Xue-Qiao, Chait A. Antioxidant vitamins and lipid therapy: End of a long romance? Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis & Vascular Biology 2002;22:1535-46. Full article Body_ID: R010006 Jones, G. Eating fruit and vegetables. BMJ 2003;326:888. Body_ID: R010007 Websites Body_ID: None US Preventive Services Task Force www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov Body_ID: R010008 National Guideline Clearinghouse www.guideline.gov) Body_ID: R010009 Body_ID: P0143 pages 141 - 142 Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Read our Terms and Conditions of Use and our Privacy Policy. For problems or suggestions concerning this service, please contact: studentconsult.help@elsevier.com