Biochemistry: Vitamins and Minerals | Socioemotional Summary

Objectives

1. Understand what vitamins and minerals are, identifying their functions and importance for the human body.

2. Recognize the possible effects of the lack or excess of vitamins and minerals in the body.

3. Develop the ability to make responsible decisions regarding nutrition and well-being.

Contextualization

 Did you know that vitamins and minerals are like the invisible heroes of our body? They don’t make headlines, but they are essential for everything to function well. For example, vitamin C helps heal wounds and keeps your skin healthy, while calcium strengthens your bones and teeth. Without these nutrients, our health and well-being could be at serious risk! Ready to discover more about these superstars of biochemistry? 

Important Topics

Vitamins

 Vitamins are organic compounds essential for the functioning of our body and must be obtained through food. They play vital roles such as helping produce energy, strengthening the immune system, and maintaining skin and eye health. There are two main types of vitamins: fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble (C and B complex), each with its own functions and food sources.

• Vitamin A: Important for vision, skin, and immune system. Found in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and liver.

• Vitamin D: Essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Produced by the body upon exposure to the sun and found in fatty fish and dairy products.

• Vitamin E: Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against damage. Present in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.

• Vitamin K: Important for blood clotting and bone health. Found in green leafy vegetables and broccoli.

• Vitamin C: Necessary for collagen synthesis and immune function. Found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers.

• B Complex: Includes several vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) that help in energy metabolism and nervous system function. Found in meats, whole grains, and vegetables.

Minerals

離 Minerals are inorganic elements that play structural and regulatory functions in the human body. They are divided into macrominerals, which we need in larger amounts, and microminerals, needed in smaller amounts. They are crucial for various functions, from bone and teeth formation to maintaining nervous and muscular function.

• Calcium: Essential for bones and teeth, blood coagulation, and muscle function. Found in dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and tofu.

• Phosphorus: Important for bone and teeth formation and energy production. Present in meats, fish, and whole grains.

• Potassium: Necessary for cellular function, fluid balance, and muscle function. Found in bananas, potatoes, and spinach.

• Sodium: Essential for fluid balance and nervous function. Present in table salt and processed foods.

• Iron: Fundamental for hemoglobin formation and oxygen transport. Found in red meats, beans, and spinach.

• Zinc: Important for immune function and wound healing. Present in meats, seeds, and nuts.

Effects of Deficiency and Excess

⚖️ Maintaining balance is crucial when talking about vitamins and minerals. The deficiency or excess of these nutrients can cause serious health problems. Deficiency can result in diseases such as scurvy (vitamin C), rickets (vitamin D), and anemia (iron). On the other hand, excess can lead to toxicity, such as hypervitaminosis A (liver problems) and hypervitaminosis D (excessive calcification).

• Vitamin Deficiency: Can lead to problems like scurvy (vitamin C), rickets (vitamin D), night blindness (vitamin A).

• Vitamin Excess: Can cause toxicity, such as hypervitaminosis A (liver problems) and hypervitaminosis D (excessive calcification).

• Mineral Deficiency: Can result in anemia (iron), osteoporosis (calcium), muscle cramps (potassium).

• Mineral Excess: Can lead to hypertension (sodium), kidney problems (calcium), immune system depression (zinc).

Key Terms

• Vitamins: Organic compounds essential for the functioning of the body.

• Minerals: Inorganic elements that play structural and regulatory functions in the body.

• Deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients, resulting in health problems.

• Excess: Excessive amount of nutrients, which can cause toxicity.

• Fat-soluble: Vitamins that dissolve in fats (A, D, E, K).

• Water-soluble: Vitamins that dissolve in water (C and B complex).

• Macrominerals: Minerals needed in larger quantities.

• Microminerals: Minerals needed in smaller quantities.

To Reflect

• How can you apply the knowledge about vitamins and minerals to improve your daily diet? 

• Think of a time when you had difficulty maintaining a balanced diet. How could you have better handled that situation? 樂

• How can understanding the effects of deficiency and excess of vitamins and minerals influence your food choices in the future? ️

Important Conclusions

• Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for the proper functioning of the human body, playing vital roles in various biological functions.

• Understanding the importance of balancing the intake of these nutrients is fundamental for making responsible decisions about nutrition and well-being.

• The deficiency or excess of vitamins and minerals can lead to serious health problems, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet.

Impact on Society

Knowledge about vitamins and minerals has a direct impact on our daily lives, especially when making food choices. By choosing nutrient-rich foods, we ensure proper functioning of our body and prevent diseases such as anemia, osteoporosis, and vitamin deficiency. This knowledge is crucial not only for our physical health but also for our emotional well-being, as a balanced diet can improve our mood and energy.

In a broader social context, understanding the importance of these nutrients can make us agents of change in promoting healthy eating habits in our communities. By sharing what we've learned with our family and friends, we can contribute to the prevention of health problems in our society, promoting a healthier and more conscious lifestyle.

Dealing with Emotions

Let's apply the RULER method to handle our emotions while studying about vitamins and minerals. First, recognize how you feel when learning about this topic – maybe you feel curious or even a bit overwhelmed. Next, understand the causes of these emotions: it might be the complexity of the content or the impact it has on your health. Name your emotions appropriately, identifying if you are anxious, excited, or worried. Express these emotions healthily, whether by talking with someone about your doubts or writing in a journal. Finally, regulate your emotions, perhaps practicing the guided mindfulness meditation we've learned in class to maintain calm and focus.

Study Tips

• Create a small comparative chart of vitamins and minerals, including functions, food sources, and effects of deficiency/excess.

• Practice analyzing food labels at home, identifying the vitamins and minerals present in the products you consume.

• Watch educational videos or read online articles about the importance of nutrients, seeking reliable sources to deepen your knowledge.