Case Study 1: Emma is taking an environmental science class. She is concerned about protection of the environment and sustainability of the food supply, so she has decided to follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet.
Emma has heard that vegetarians need to make sure they eat foods supplemented with vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
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Will she obtain these nutrients from dairy foods and eggs? YES or NO
Now that Emma is not eating meat, poultry or fish, which nutrients could she be lacking if she doesn’t plan her diet carefully?
Vitamin C and protein
Vitamin A and protein
Iron and zinc
Fat and vitamin K
Name two other vegetarian foods which are good sources of these micronutrients.
To avoid zinc deficiency, a vegetarian may eat more of the following food to get the necessary dose of zinc—green-leafy vegetables, whole-grain breads, and root vegetables, peas, dried beans, and nuts. However, since Emma needs 8mg of zinc everyday to meet the daily dose requirement, she might need to use supplements for this. On the other hand, to meet the required dose of iron, Emma needs to include Brussel sprouts, lentils, pumpkin seeds, black beans, arugula, cooked spinach, and brown rice in her diet. It would also help to include Vitamin C for better absorption.
Case Study2: Fred is 72 and has always considered himself to be very healthy. He eats a well-balanced diet, which includes lean meats, fish, eggs, and poultry. He takes pride in the fact that he eats well and keeps physically and mentally fit with various volunteer activities in the community. Recently, his family has noticed that he seems rather lethargic, less coordinated than usual, and even a bit confused. His fine motor skills have diminished and he complains that he feels “pins and needles” quite often in his extremities. He seems too young to be experiencing age-related cognitive deficits, so they are encouraging him to visit his doctor.
Which vitamin deficiency could cause Fred’s cognitive problems?
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Write a 1-2 sentence answer as to why this vitamin deficiency may be occurring for Fred.
B-vitamin, which included Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 can cause metabolic impairment that leads to reduced cognitive function in the brain’s capillary length and density. These findings were noted in the mouse model used to observe B-vitamin deficiency. The degenerative changes and absence of neurotoxic lead to vascular changes which causes cognitive dysfunction.
Write a 1-2 sentence answer as to what could be done to reverse or treat this vitamin deficiency.
B-vitamin, like Vitamin B12 becomes harder to absorb as an individual age. Furthermore, Fred might also be taking other medications that may prevent him from absorbing B-vitamin well into his system. A visit with the doctor may help address this issue as Fred might need to take Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 supplements, but these medication should also be coordinated with the other drugs that the patient is taking to ensure that nothing will deter him from properly absorbing these nutrients in his body.
