Test Kits

NUTRITION TEST KIT 1 (21 vials)
(Test Kit NT1)

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Code	Nutrient	Best Sources	Function	Possible Deficiency Effects	Possible Toxic Effects
NT1	Vitamin A Retinol	liver, eggs, milk & dairy products, fish liver oil, enriched margarine	growth and repair of body tissues; bone and tooth formation; vision in dim light; keeps mucus membranes healthy; protection from some cancers	reduced night vision; dry eyes; loss of vision due to gradual damage of cornea; reduced resistance to infection due to loss of integrity of skin and mucus membranes; follicular hyperkeratosis	headaches; drowsiness; skin changes; anorexia; weight loss; muscle pain; chronic liver disease; itchy and flakey skin; loss of body hair; brittle nails; increased risk of birth defects in pregnant women
NT2	Vitamin B1Thiamin	wheat germ, yeast, liver, whole grains, nuts, oranges, fish, poultry, beans, pork	carbohydrate metabolism; appetite maintenance; nerve function; growth and muscle tone	tiredness; depression; irritability; inability to concentrate; poor memory; muscle weakness; gastrointestinal disturbances; numbness and tingling in hands and feet; reduced pain tolerance; disturbed sleep; poor growth in children
NT3	Vitamin B2 Riboflavin	fortified breakfast cereals, meat, eggs, green leafy vegetables, offal	fat; carbohydrate and protein metabolism; formation of antibodies and red blood cells	sore tongue and lips; cracks in skin around nose and mouth; eye irritation; burning feet; red and greasy skin but also dryness and flaking; scrotal and vulval dermatitis
NT4	Vitamin B3 Niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide	meat, poultry, fish, liver, milk products, peanuts, almonds, potatoes, yeast extract niacin can be synthesised from tryptophan	fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism; health of skin, tongue and digestive system; blood circulation	irritability; headaches; poor memory; emotional instability; redness, scaling & pigmentation of skin in light-exposed areas; sore & fissured tongue; diarrhoea	flushing; peptic ulcers; liver dysfunction; gout; arrhythmia; hyperglycaemia
NU5	Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid	meat, whole grains, legumes, yeast	converts nutrients into energy; formation of some fats; vitamin utilisation	tiredness; headaches; weakness; emotional swings; muscle cramps; nausea
NT6	Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine	fish, poultry, lean meat, nuts, pulses, whole grain cereals	fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism; formation of antibodies; maintains sodium/ potassium balance	exacerbates anaemia; irritability; nervousness; insomnia; seborrhoeic dermatitis on face; acne-like rash on forehead; red and greasy skin but also dryness and flaking; sore tongue; prominent taste buds increased requirement premenstrually and for those on the contraceptive pill	impairment of sensory nerve function; diminished tendon reflexes; numbness and loss of sensations in hands and feet; difficulty in walking
NT7	Vitamin B12 Cyanoco-balamin	offal, eggs, milk, oily fish, cheese	fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism; maintains health of nervous system; blood cell formation; folate synthesis	mental confusion; tiredness; pale skin; recurrent mouth ulcers pernicious anaemia usually involves lack of intrinsic factor for absorption of B12
NT8	Vitamin H Biotin	yeast, offal, eggs, milk, cheese	fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism; helps utilise B vitamins.	Scaly dermatitis; tiredness; weakness; severe cradle cap in infants long term antibiotic use can cause deficiency
NT9	Choline	widely available can be synthesised from glycine	part of formation of acetyl-choline; emulsifies fats	none specific
NT10	Folic Acid	green leafy vegetables, offal, melons, pumpkins, beans, carrots, egg yolk, apricots, avocado.	red blood cell formation; protein metabolism; growth and cell division	megaloblastic anaemia; neural tube defects where mother’s intake not adequate; poor growth in children; cracks at corners of mouth; painful sore tongue; mouth ulcers; depression increased requirements in women taking contraceptive pill	insomnia, irritability
NT11	Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid	citrus fruit, nectarines, melons, vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes	helps heal wounds; strengthens blood vessels; collagen maintenance; resistance to infection; required for production of adrenal hormones; helps detoxification and excretion of a wide range of toxic chemicals	scurvy; poor wound healing; lowered resistance to infection; bleeding gums; fragile capillaries; damage to bone & connective tissue; dry and scaly skin; dandruff, asprin, barbiturates, corticosteroids, and tetracycline drugs increase excretion	kidney stones because of increased excretion of water and oxolate; impairment of white cell function; decreased B12 and increased iron absorption
NT12	Vitamin D2 Ergocalciferol	Often used in supplements. Made in body when skin exposed to sunlight.	calcium and phosphorus metabolism (bone formation); heart action; nervous system maintenance	inadequate calcification of bones; skeletal deformity, migraine, hearing loss	hypercalcaemia; renal stones; hypertension; excessive thirst; diarrhoea; nausea; weakness
NT13	Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol	oily fish, egg yolks, offal, fortified margarine made in body when skin exposed to sunlight	calcium and phosphorus metabolism (bone formation); heart action; nervous system maintenance	inadequate calcification of bones; skeletal deformity, psoriasis, migraine, hearing loss	hypercalcaemia; renal stones; hypertension; excessive thirst; diarrhoea; nausea; weakness
NT14	Vitamin E Tocopherol	vegetable oils, green vegetables, wheat germ, offal, eggs	protects membrane and red blood cells; inhibits coagulation of blood; protects fat soluble vitamins; cellular respiration; protects cells from free radical damage	increased risk of coronary heart disease and some cancers; acceleration of some degenerative diseases (e.g. cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis); acceleration of ageing; menopausal hot flushes; reducing scarring	raised blood pressure; minor gastrointestinal upsets
NT15	Vitamin K1 Phylloquinone	green leafy vegetables, fruits, cereals synthesised in gut	important in formation of blood clotting agents, involved in energy metabolism, protein formation in bone tissue	increased blood clotting time, haemorrhagic disease in new born which can be fatal, broad spectrum antibiotics destroy the gut flora which make vitamin K	increased blood clotting time, haemorrhagic disease in new born which can be fatal, broad spectrum antibiotics destroy the gut flora which make vitamin K
NT16	Vitamin K2 Menaquinone	dairy products, meat, in bacteria synthesised in gut	important in formation of blood clotting agents, involved in energy metabolism, protein formation in bone tissue	increased blood clotting time, haemorrhagic disease in new born which can be fatal broad spectrum antibiotics destroy the gut flora which make vitamin K	prolonged clotting time
NT17	Vitamin K3 Menaquinone	dairy products, meat synthesised in gut	important in formation of blood clotting agents, involved in energy metabolism, protein formation in bone tissue	increased blood clotting time, haemorrhagic disease in new born which can be fatal, broad spectrum antibiotics destroy the gut flora which make vitamin K	prolonged clotting time
NT18	Arachidonic Acid	can be formed from linoleic acid	omega 6 series polyunsaturated fatty acid, precursor of prostoglandins and leukotrienes	inflammation, blood vessel constriction, blood pressure, arthritis, pain, blood clotting, allergies, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, migraine, fertility, PMT (especially breast tenderness), dry eye syndrome, behavioural problems
NU19	Eicosapentaenoic Acid	fish oils, flax seed oil, pumpkin seeds	omega 3 series polyunsaturated fatty acid	inflammation, blood clotting, rheumatoid arthritis, behavioural problems, muscle weakness, visual impairment
NT20	Linoleic Acid		omega 6 series polyunsaturated fatty acid, precursor of prostoglandins and leukotrienes	inflammation, blood vessel constriction, blood pressure, arthritis, pain, blood clotting, allergies, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, migraine, fertility, PMT (especially breast tenderness), dry eye syndrome, behavioural problems
NT21	Linolenic Acid		omega 6 series polyunsaturated fatty acid, precursor of prostoglandins and leukotrienes	inflammation, blood vessel constriction, blood pressure, arthritis, pain, blood clotting, allergies, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, migraine, fertility, PMT (especially breast tenderness), dry eye syndrome, behavioural problems

References:
World Cancer Research Fund WCRF Guide to Vitamins (leaflet)
Anthony Leeds et al Nutrition Matters for Practice Nurses
Proof Winter 1996/97
Briony Thomas Nutrition in Primary Care
Dr Stephen Davies & Dr Alan Stewart Nutritional Medicine
Linda Lazarides The Nutritional Health Bible
Thomas A Scott & E Ian Mercer Concise Encyclopedia Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

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© Jane Thurnell-Read