Exam 8: Vitamins

read the paragraph below and indicate whether the athlete's statements are correct or incorrect: A distance athlete explains why he is taking a vitamin E supplement. He states: "Most people don't realize it but oxygen has both beneficial and harmful effects. I try to counter the harmful effects by taking a vitamin E supplement. Most studies have shown that vitamin E supplementation has a positive effect on endurance performance. Besides, recent studies have shown that there is a health benefit to vitamin E supplements. I'm concerned that my vitamin E intake may be low since I purposefully keep my calorie intake low so I don't gain any body fat and I follow a low-fat diet. Someone told me that when you take high levels of vitamin E it actually has an opposite effect and it is no longer works as an antioxidant, but I don't think that is true." -High levels can actually have an opposite effect and the vitamin E no longer works as an antioxidant.

Summarize the body of scientific literature on the safety and effectiveness of the following supplements marketed to athletes: 1) antioxidant vitamins, 2) B-complex vitamins, 3) vitamin B12 injections, and 4) vitamin C.

Why is half of the thiamin (vitamin B1) found in the body found in skeletal muscle?

High bioavailability refers to a compound that:

After tissues are saturated with water-soluble vitamins, any excess is excreted and no toxicity symptoms have been reported.

Which of the following is true regarding athletes and the consumption of an adequate amount of vitamin C from food?

According to the current body of scientific research, what effect do antioxidant vitamin supplements have on exercise-induced oxidative stress in endurance athletes?

Match the vitamin with the statement that best describes it. Use each answer only once. -Vitamin E

The roles that vitamins play in energy production are indirect rather than direct.

Outline the arguments for a "food first, supplements second" philosophy. Write a similarly compelling point of view for a "food and supplements equally" philosophy.

Compare and contrast vitamins A, C, and E, particularly their antioxidant functions.

Free radicals will always be present, so the key issue is the balance between the rate of production and the rate of clearance.

What vitamin is contained in coenzymes necessary for the transfer of electrons in the electron transport chain?

Most vitamin toxicities take about one to two weeks to develop.

A severe lack of either folic acid or vitamin B12 will result in a medical condition known as _____.

Wheat germ is an excellent source of which vitamin?

A diet can provide sufficient calories but still be lacking in vitamins.

The vitamin supplement that is considered to have the lowest risk but highest benefit is:

Which of the following describes the basic function of a coenzyme?

A deficiency of folic acid is likely to show up first in cells that need to divide rapidly.