CNS CNS Functional Nutrition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which class of compounds found in cruciferous vegetables supports Phase II liver detoxification by inducing glutathione-S-transferase?
- Glucosinolates / isothiocyanates (Correct answer)
- Carotenoids
- Phytosterols
- Lignans
Correct answer: Glucosinolates / isothiocyanates
Glucosinolates are hydrolyzed to isothiocyanates (e.g., sulforaphane) that induce Nrf2-mediated Phase II detoxification enzymes including glutathione-S-transferase.
Question 2: Which fatty acid ratio is a key functional nutrition target for reducing chronic disease risk, often requiring increased omega-3 and decreased omega-6 intake?
- Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (Correct answer)
- Saturated to unsaturated fat ratio
- DHA to EPA ratio
- ALA to LA ratio
Correct answer: Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
Western diets typically have omega-6:omega-3 ratios of 15:1 to 20:1; functional nutrition targets a ratio closer to 4:1 or lower to reduce pro-inflammatory eicosanoid production.
Question 3: In functional nutrition, the HPA axis dysregulation associated with chronic stress most directly affects which nutrient's urinary excretion rate?
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Magnesium (Correct answer)
- Calcium
Correct answer: Magnesium
Elevated cortisol from HPA axis activation increases renal magnesium excretion, contributing to deficiency that further impairs stress adaptation.
Question 4: Which test is considered the gold standard for assessing whole-body magnesium status in functional nutrition practice?
- Red blood cell (RBC) magnesium (Correct answer)
- Serum magnesium
- 24-hour urinary magnesium
- Hair mineral analysis
Correct answer: Red blood cell (RBC) magnesium
RBC magnesium reflects intracellular stores more accurately than serum magnesium, which remains normal until deficiency is severe due to tight homeostatic regulation.
Question 5: Polyphenols such as resveratrol and quercetin exert anti-inflammatory effects primarily by inhibiting which transcription factor?
- NF-κB (Correct answer)
- PPAR-γ
- AP-1
- STAT3
Correct answer: NF-κB
NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is the master regulator of inflammatory gene expression; polyphenols inhibit its activation pathway.
Question 6: In a functional nutrition assessment, an organic acids test (OAT) finding of elevated 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) indicates increased levels of what?
- Oxidative DNA damage (Correct answer)
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Dysbiosis markers
Correct answer: Oxidative DNA damage
8-OHdG is a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species, used in functional assessments to guide antioxidant nutrient interventions.
CNS CNS Functional Nutrition 2
Which class of compounds found in cruciferous vegetables supports Phase II liver detoxification by inducing glutathione-S-transferase?