Nutritional Biochemistry and Supplementation Flashcards
6 cards from real Clinical Nutritionist CCN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Nutritional Biochemistry and Supplementation flashcards as text
Which omega-3 fatty acid is primarily responsible for anti-inflammatory effects through production of resolvins and protectins?
Answer: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
EPA and DHA are the long-chain omega-3s that directly produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, resolvins, and protectins; ALA must be converted to EPA/DHA with low efficiency.
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol/ubiquinone) plays what essential role in cellular metabolism?
Answer: Electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC)
CoQ10 shuttles electrons between complexes I/II and complex III of the mitochondrial ETC, and its reduced form (ubiquinol) also acts as a lipid-soluble antioxidant.
What is the function of the methionine cycle and why is it clinically important?
Answer: It regenerates methionine from homocysteine, producing SAM for methylation reactions, and requires B12, folate, and B6
The methionine cycle produces S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor; impairment from B12/folate/B6 deficiency elevates homocysteine, a cardiovascular risk factor.
Alpha-lipoic acid is considered a 'universal antioxidant' because:
Answer: It is both water- and fat-soluble and can regenerate other antioxidants including vitamins C and E and glutathione
Unlike most antioxidants, alpha-lipoic acid functions in both aqueous and lipid environments and can recycle oxidized forms of vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione, amplifying overall antioxidant capacity.
Which precursor is required for endogenous synthesis of carnitine, essential for mitochondrial fatty acid transport?
Answer: Lysine and methionine, with cofactors vitamin C, B6, niacin, and iron
Carnitine is synthesized from lysine and methionine through a pathway requiring ascorbate, iron, pyridoxal phosphate, and niacin; deficiency impairs long-chain fatty acid entry into mitochondria.
Phosphatidylcholine is a major membrane phospholipid that also serves as a precursor for which neurotransmitter?
Answer: Acetylcholine
Choline from phosphatidylcholine is a direct precursor for acetylcholine synthesis in cholinergic neurons; adequate dietary choline is essential for cognitive function and neuromuscular transmission.
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