Vit D & E

Question 1

Vitamin E

Answer 1

a-tocopherol

Question 2

Vitamin E - Biological functions

Answer 2

• Major lipophilic antioxidant in humans
• Prevents lipid peroxidation
• Modulates gene regulation

Question 3

Vitamin E - Health benefits

Answer 3

• May prevent age-related diseases
• skin aging
• prostate cancer
• neurodegeneration
• cataract
• adult macular degeneration (AMD)
• heart disease

Question 4

Lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane

Answer 4

a-tocopherol reduce Lipid peroxyl radical (which greatly
favours the hydrophilic) -> Lipid hydroperoxide , to stablise the fatty acid tail and prevent Lipid Peroxidation Chain reaction (which damage cell membrane)

a-tocopherol is converted into a-tocopherol radical, which the stable radical does not participate in further Lipid peroxidation

Question 5

Recycling of the tocopherol radical

Answer 5

Ascorbate reduces the tocopherol radical and convert to a-tocopherol at hydrophilic side of membrance

Question 6

Vitamin D

Answer 6

Cholecalciferol

Question 7

Vitamin D Deficiency

Answer 7

calcium absorption cannot be increased to satisfy the body’s calcium needs

Rickets
Osteomalacia [Bone mass undermineralization]
Muscle weakness & pain

• PTH production by the parathyroid glands is increased
• Calcium is mobilized from the skeleton to maintain normal serum calcium
• vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of osteoporosis

Question 8

Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency

Answer 8

Exclusively breast fed infants 
Dark skin
Aging 
Covering all exposed skin or using sunscreen whenever outside
Fat malabsorption syndromes 
Inflammatory bowel disease
Obesity