Unit 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