LWT 213W - Vitamins Minerals and Health

Credits: 3

     A.          Define vitamins and minerals and explain how they work in the body.

     B.          Discuss the differences among RDAs, RDIs, and ODIs.

     C.          Explain how vitamins work synergistically.

     D.          Define oil- and water-soluble vitamins and micro- and macro minerals.

     E.          Discuss the inability of reference daily intakes (RDIs) to meet modern dietary and lifestyle health requirements.

     F.          State both the common and scientific names of many vitamins.

2.    Discuss the relationship between nutritional deficiencies and illnesses as well as the foods and supplements that may be used to
       prevent these deficiencies.

     A.          Provide an example of a supplement that has been proven to be safer than prescription pharmaceuticals for specific complaints.

     B.          Explain why processed and enriched flour is not necessarily a healthy choice.

     C.          Explain why taking large quantities of "safe" over-the-counter pharmaceuticals may deplete necessary nutrients.

     D.          Describe different deficiencies that may result from taking prescription pharmaceuticals.

     E.          Identify a number of available supplements that have been proven to prevent the loss of eyesight.

     F.          Correlate certain health conditions with a supplement plan.

     G.         Select an appropriate intake of each supplement to meet the severity of a health condition.

     H.         Discuss the current recommendations on the best times to take supplements.

     I.           Discuss which prescription and over-the-counter medications may cause certain vitamin and  mineral deficiencies.

3.    Identify the qualities of and the differences between the fat-soluble

     A.          Identify the different forms of beta-carotene.

     B.          Describe some of the differences between natural and synthetic vitamin E.

     C.          Discuss the possible danger of vitamin K toxicity.

     D.          Discuss the importance of Vitamin D.

4.    Identify the qualities of and the differences between the water-soluble vitamins.

     A.          Explain why cyanocobalamin is necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system.

     B.          Discuss the connection between vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency.

     C.          Describe the differences and similarities between choline, inositol and PABA.

     D.          Discuss the scientific studies that show a link between supplementation with vitamin C and a lower rate of certain types of cancer.

     E.          Describe the role of B vitamins in healthy brain and nerve function.

5.    Discuss the importance of balance minerals and state the best sources of minerals.

     A.          Describe how the body works to balance minerals such as calcium.

     B.          Explain how manganese is needed for dozens of enzyme systems that affect multiple bodily systems.

     C.          Identify the different types of fatty acids and the products that contain them.

     D.          Describe some common indications of mineral deficiencies and toxicities.

     E.          Identify the prescription pharmaceuticals that may affect mineral absorption.

     F.           Explain why the modern diet is more deficient in minerals than indigenous diets.

     G.          Discuss the effects of iron deficiencies and excesses on the body.

     H.          Explain why it is necessary to keep a balance of minerals, such as sodium to potassium and zinc to copper.

     I.            Identify some of the reasons that selenium is implicated in many chronic and serious conditions.

     J.           Discuss the importance of chromium for people with type II diabetes.

     K.          Describe the importance of boron for postmenopausal women.

     L.          Describe other minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and iodine.

6.    Describe some of the derivatives that are needed for optimum health including: coenzymes of vitamins, nutraceuticals found in nature
       and synthesized chemicals.

     A.          Describe how CoQ10, D-ribose, and L-carnitine work synergistically.

     B.          Explain why the average modern diet has an unbalanced intake of essential fatty acids.

     C.          Discuss how some supplements work in the hormonal systems.

     D.          Identify a few of the flavinoids.

     E.          Discuss the importance of other nutrients such as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), garlic, glutathione, n-acetylcysteine (NAC), melatonin, and
                   DHEA.

 7.    Research various studies related to nutritional supplementation to assist in determining one's individual need for vitamins and
        minerals.

     A.          Find and examine scientific journals.

     B.          Discuss similar studies and their correlations.

     C.          Use clinical trial information to teach others and nutritional supplements.

     D.          Correlate certain health conditions with a supplement plan.

     E.          Select an appropriate intake of each supplement to meet the severity of a health condition.

     F.          Choose between supplements that may overlap in the plan.

     G.         Implement a personal supplement plan.