Learning Objectives
5 objectives- Understand fundamental concepts of nutritional biochemistry including macronutrients and micronutrients.
- Analyze the digestion, absorption, and metabolism processes of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
- Describe the roles of vitamins, minerals, water, and electrolytes in maintaining human health.
- Evaluate nutritional requirements, dietary guidelines, and implications of nutritional imbalances.
- Explore the application of nutritional biochemistry in special populations and emerging research.
Content Outline
PreviewUnit 1378: Nutritional Biochemistry
1. Introduction to Nutritional Biochemistry
- Definition and scope of nutritional biochemistry
- Overview of macronutrients: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
- Overview of micronutrients: vitamins and minerals
- Roles of nutrients in the human body
2. Carbohydrates and Energy Metabolism
- Types of carbohydrates: monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides
- Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates
- Glycolysis, glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis
- Role of carbohydrates as a primary energy source
- Regulation of blood glucose levels
3. Lipids and Lipid Metabolism
- Structure and classification of lipids: triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol
- Digestion, absorption, and transport of lipids
- Beta-oxidation and lipid metabolism pathways
- Functions of lipids: energy storage, cell membrane structure, signaling molecules
4. Proteins and Amino Acid Metabolism
- Protein structure and classification
- Digestion and absorption of proteins
- Amino acid metabolism and transamination
- Protein synthesis and the importance of essential amino acids
- Physiological roles of proteins beyond structural functions
5. Vitamins and Minerals
- Classification of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble
- Key vitamins and their biochemical roles (e.g., coenzyme functions, antioxidants)
- Essential minerals and their physiological functions
- Deficiency symptoms and toxicity considerations
6. Water and Electrolytes
- Importance of water in physiological processes
- Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride
- Roles in hydration, fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction
- Mechanisms of homeostasis and regulation
7. Nutritional Requirements and Dietary Guidelines
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs)
- Macronutrient distribution ranges
- National and international dietary guidelines overview
- Factors influencing nutrient requirements
8. Nutritional Imbalances and Deficiencies
- Types of malnutrition: undernutrition and overnutrition
- Common nutrient deficiencies and associated disorders
- Metabolic disorders linked to poor nutrition
- Chronic diseases related to dietary imbalances
9. Nutritional Biochemistry in Special Populations
- Nutritional needs of infants and children
- Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation
- Nutrition considerations for athletes
- Nutritional challenges in the elderly
- Factors influencing altered nutrient requirements
10. Nutritional Biochemistry Research and Applications
- Introduction to personalized nutrition
- Nutrigenomics and gene-diet interactions
- Impact of diet on gene expression and disease prevention
- Current trends and future directions in nutritional biochemistry research
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