Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance of New ...



Home Care Association of New Hampshire

Licensed Nursing Assistant Medication-Certified

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins are organic chemicals required for metabolic activities necessary for tissue growth and healing. Only small amounts are needed and they are more effective when provided from a well balanced diet rather than a pill.

Larger amounts are needed for pregnant women, periods of rapid growth and severe illness and injury (like burns).

Vitamins are usually prescribed for patients for the following reasons:

• Conditions that inhibit absorption of food

• Diarrhea

• Infection and fever

• Inflammatory diseases

• Cancer

• Undergoing hemodialysis

• Hyperthyroidism

• GI surgery

• Diets

A Well Balanced Diet

Although we all realize the importance of a well balanced diet, few of us truly do eat this way. We are a fast food nation. Buying food on sale and meal planning make it easier to eat well.

The USDA recently revised the food pyramid. They now recognize that people have to eat differently at the different stages of their lives. The pyramid is organized into five color coded groups. It is important to understand that portion size is key; or what a portion is and what it is not.

• Grains (orange)-whole grains, rice, cereal, crackers or pasta. One serving is ½ of an English muffin, 6-11 servings per day.

• Vegetables (green)-eat more dark green vegetable, orange vegetables, beans and peas. Serving size is ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned, 3-5 servings per day.

• Fruits (red)-fresh, frozen, dry or canned. Serving size is ½ cup, 2-4 servings per day.

• Milk (blue)-calcium rich foods, milk (1 cup), cheese (3 ounces), yogurt (1 cup), 2-3 servings per day.

• Meat and Beans (purple)-low fat and lean meats and poultry. Baked, broiled or grilled. This also contains fish, beans, nuts and seeds. Serving size is a deck of cards, 2-3 servings per day.

• Fats, oils and sweets – use sparingly, olive and canola oils are best.

The USDA has a web site that calculates the portions you should have based on sex, weight, height and age. The web site is

There are recommended dietary allowances for vitamin dose requirements. One vitamin does not fit all. Men and women need different amounts, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.

Types of Vitamins

There are two groups of vitamins, water soluble and fat soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed by the intestinal tract following the same metabolism used for fat. These vitamins remain in the body longer than water soluble vitamins. They are excreted very slowly in the urine. The fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K.

Vitamin A

• Maintains epithelial tissue, eyes, hair and bone growth

• Given in the treatment of acne

• Has a toxic affect if taken in large quantities

• Birth defects have occurred with large amounts

Vitamin D

• Absorbed in the small intestine with the assistance of bile salts

• Is necessary for the absorption of calcium

Vitamin E

• Protects the heart and arteries

• Prevents red blood cells from breaking

Vitamin K

• Is required for the clotting of the blood

• Is absorbed in the intestines

Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C

• Used to metabolize carbohydrates

• Used to synthesize protein, lipids and collagen

• Required for the repair of tissue

• Aids in the absorption of iron

• Metabolizes folic acid

Vitamin B Complex consists of four vitamins

• B1 thiamine

• B2 riboflavin

• B3 niacin

• B6 pyridoxine

Other Important Vitamins include:

Folic Acid: essential for body and growth, is needed to synthesize DNA

• Is absorbed in the small intestine

• Excreted in bile and urine

Vitamin B 12

• Helps convert folic acid into its active form

• Is essential to synthesize DNA

• Promotes cellular division

• Required for hematopoiesis, for red blood cell (RBC) development

• Helps maintain the integrity of the nervous system

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic compounds that are required for metabolism and to form teeth and bones. There are five minerals essential to maintaining a healthy body.

Iron, ferrous sulfate, gluconate or fumarate

• Used for the regeneration of hemoglobin

• Pregnant women should use low doses in the first trimester

• Food, tetracycline and antacids decrease absorption 50%

• Spinach is a good source of iron

Copper

• Used in the formation of red blood cells and connective tissue

• Is a cofactor for many enzymes

Zinc

• Stimulates the activity of over 100 enzymes

• Helps heals wounds

• Inhibits the absorption of tetracycline

Potassium

• Is an electrolyte necessary for heart function

• One good source of potassium is bananas

Selenium

• Is a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes

Home Care Association of New Hampshire

Licensed Nursing Assistant Medication-Certified

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins are organic chemicals required for metabolic activities necessary for tissue growth and healing. Only small amounts are needed and they are more effective when provided from a well balanced diet rather than a pill.

Larger amounts are needed for pregnant women, periods of rapid growth and severe illness and injury (like burns).

Vitamins are usually prescribed for patients for the following reasons:

• Conditions that inhibit absorption of food

• Diarrhea

• Infection and fever

• Inflammatory diseases

• Cancer

• Undergoing hemodialysis

• Hyperthyroidism

• GI surgery

• Diets

A Well Balanced Diet

Although we all realize the importance of a well balanced diet, few of us truly do eat this way. We are a fast food nation. Buying food on sale and meal planning make it easier to eat well.

The USDA recently revised the food pyramid. They now recognize that people have to eat differently at the different stages of their lives. The pyramid is organized into five color coded groups. It is important to understand that portion size is key; or what a portion is and what it is not.

• Grains (orange)-whole grains, rice, cereal, crackers or pasta. One serving is ½ of an English muffin, 6-11 servings per day.

• Vegetables (green)-eat more dark green vegetable, orange vegetables, beans and peas. Serving size is ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned, 3-5 servings per day.

• Fruits (red)-fresh, frozen, dry or canned. Serving size is ½ cup, 2-4 servings per day.

• Milk (blue)-calcium rich foods, milk (1 cup), cheese (3 ounces), yogurt (1 cup), 2-3 servings per day.

• Meat and Beans (purple)-low fat and lean meats and poultry. Baked, broiled or grilled. This also contains fish, beans, nuts and seeds. Serving size is a deck of cards, 2-3 servings per day.

• Fats, oils and sweets – use sparingly, olive and canola oils are best.

The USDA has a web site that calculates the portions you should have based on sex, weight, height and age. The web site is

There are recommended dietary allowances for vitamin dose requirements. One vitamin does not fit all. Men and women need different amounts, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.

Types of Vitamins

There are two groups of vitamins, water soluble and fat soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed by the intestinal tract following the same metabolism used for fat. These vitamins remain in the body longer than water soluble vitamins. They are excreted very slowly in the urine. The fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K.

Vitamin A

• Maintains epithelial tissue, eyes, hair and bone growth

• Given in the treatment of acne

• Has a toxic affect if taken in large quantities

• Birth defects have occurred with large amounts

Vitamin D

• Absorbed in the small intestine with the assistance of bile salts

• Is necessary for the absorption of calcium

Vitamin E

• Protects the heart and arteries

• Prevents red blood cells from breaking

Vitamin K

• Is required for the clotting of the blood

• Is absorbed in the intestines

Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C

• Used to metabolize carbohydrates

• Used to synthesize protein, lipids and collagen

• Required for the repair of tissue

• Aids in the absorption of iron

• Metabolizes folic acid

Vitamin B Complex consists of four vitamins

• B1 thiamine

• B2 riboflavin

• B3 niacin

• B6 pyridoxine

Other Important Vitamins include:

Folic Acid: essential for body and growth, is needed to synthesize DNA

• Is absorbed in the small intestine

• Excreted in bile and urine

Vitamin B 12

• Helps convert folic acid into its active form

• Is essential to synthesize DNA

• Promotes cellular division

• Required for hematopoiesis, for red blood cell (RBC) development

• Helps maintain the integrity of the nervous system

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic compounds that are required for metabolism and to form teeth and bones. There are five minerals essential to maintaining a healthy body.

Iron, ferrous sulfate, gluconate or fumarate

• Used for the regeneration of hemoglobin

• Pregnant women should use low doses in the first trimester

• Food, tetracycline and antacids decrease absorption 50%

• Spinach is a good source of iron

Copper

• Used in the formation of red blood cells and connective tissue

• Is a cofactor for many enzymes

Zinc

• Stimulates the activity of over 100 enzymes

• Helps heals wounds

• Inhibits the absorption of tetracycline

Potassium

• Is an electrolyte necessary for heart function

• One good source of potassium is bananas

Selenium

• Is a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes

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