LSC S2:Vitamins

LSC S2:Vitamins

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
(a) understand the sources and functions of vitamins.
(b) manage the effects of vitamin imbalances in the body.
(c) understand the characteristics of water— soluble and fat—soluble vitamins.
(d) know how to conserve different vitamins during preparation and service.

Introduction
Vitamins are a group of substances that are needed in small quantities to sustain life. Your body needs them to work properly, grow and develop normally. Vitamins are often called micronutrients because your body needs only tiny amounts of them. A healthy diet is composed of all the nutrients in their right
proportions to provide the body with ideal nutrition. We may have individual requirements therefore, the right diet for good
health may vary from person to person.
In this Chapter, you will acquire knowledge of vitamins as essential nutrients in meal planning and managing the effect of vitamin imbalance in the body.

Sources and functions of different vitamins in the body
Vitamins are substances that come from the foods we eat. Your body is able to get the vitamins needed from the foods because different foods contain different vitamins. These are classified
into two: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. The water soluble vitamins dissolve in water while the fat soluble vitamins dissolve in fats.
Each vitamin has a special function it plays in your body, therefore to get a variety of the vitamins, you need to eat different foods. If you take in a healthy diet daily, it will help you maintain or
improve on your overall health.

Activity 2.1
Identifying sources and functions of different
vitamins
In small groups,
I.Use the internet, textbooks, and pictures in Figure 2.1 to
identify the sources of the different vitamins in the body.
2. Find out the functions of vitamins in the body.
3.Fill them in the table below.

The effects of vitamin imbalances in the body
If your body does not get the required vitamins or inadequate amounts of any vitamin, it experiences an imbalance. Each vitamin has a special function it plays in your body so if that particular vitamin is missing, you get some effects known as signs and symptoms. You may even develop a deficiency
disease as seen in Figure 2.2 below.
Have you ever eaten some foods with the purpose of getting vitamins? How did you feel? Which foods did you mainly eat? Both plants and animals are sources of a good amount Of
vitamins.

Activity 2.2
1.Finding out the impact of vitamin imbalances in
the bodyIn groups,
2.check the internet, textbooks, and pictures in Figure 2.2to find out the imbalances in different vitamins, and theirpossible symptoms in the body.
Fill in the tables below.

Fat-soluble vitamins

How to manage vitamin deficiencies in the body
A balanced diet with foods rich in vitamins may help you avoid deficiencies in your body. When your body gets signs and symptoms, it will be communicating possible vitamin deficiencies. When you notice this early you can change your diet to stop further symptoms of the vitamin deficiency.
Describing management of vitamin deficiencies
in the body
In pairs,

1. Brainstorm and share how vitamin deficiencies can be managed in the body.

Characteristics of the different vitamins

Activity 2.4
Discussing ways in which vitamins can be lost during processing and storage
In small groups,

1. Discuss the ways in which vitamins can be lost during processing and storage.
   You have known the ways in which vitamins are lost during
   processing and storage. In the next activity, you will find out the
   ways vitamins can be preserved during processing and storage.
   Activity 2.5
   Discussing ways in which vitamins can be preserved during processing and storage
   In grpups,
2. Discuss the ways in which vitamins can be preserved during processing and storage.

Ways of conserving vitamins during meal preparation
Many methods of cooking and preserving foods can destroy or diminish their vitamin content; but cooking foods can also improve on the digestibility and absorption of certain nutrients.
Mixing of cooked and raw foods especially vegetables and fruits,

and proper processing can preserve their vitamins. Always use fruits and vegetables that have just been harvested. Only buy as much as you will use in a few days. In season, you may be able to buy directly from farmers or at farmers’ markets.

v e Discussing ways of conserving different vitamins during preparation and service of food
In groups,

1. Discuss the different ways of conserving vitamins during food preparation and service.
2. Present the points in the plenary.

LSC S2:Vitamins