This course offers an in-depth exploration of advanced concepts in nutrition, focusing on the biochemical and physiological roles of macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how nutrients impact gene expression, metabolism, and overall health. The course covers essential topics, including protein types, carbohydrates, lipids, micronutrients, antioxidants, alcohol, drug-nutrition interactions, and the role of nutrition in the immune system. Emphasis is placed on the clinical and therapeutic applications of nutrition, exploring the effects of diet on chronic diseases and metabolic disorders. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge to apply advanced nutrition principles to health, disease prevention, and management.
Module 1: Proteins
- The value of plant protein, soy protein, nontraditional proteins (Single Cell Proteins).
- Effects of eating a high-protein diet.
- Plasma protein characteristics and major functions.
Module 2: Carbohydrates
- Dietary fiber: Classification and biochemical importance.
- Fiber content of foods, dietary fiber and diseases.
- Glycemic index and the glycemic effect of food in blood sugar.
Module 3: Lipids
- Essential fatty acids: Their chemical nature, metabolism, sources, deficiency diseases, and requirement.
- PUFA: Omega-6 / Omega-3 ratio.
- Cholesterol metabolism and diseases.
- Phospholipids: Lecithin, ecosanoids, and paracrine mediators.
- Sphingolipids and synthetic lipids.
Module 4: Micronutrients
- Role of vitamins A and D in gene expression.
- Other vitamins like choline, carnitine, myo-inositol, ubiquinones, bioflavonoids, minerals, and hypertension.
- Micronutrients and blood: Bone nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, aluminium, and fluorine.
Module 5: Antioxidants
- Chemical nature of antioxidants.
- Role of antioxidants, free radicals, and oxidative stress.
Module 6: Alcohols
- Alcohol intake, absorption, and metabolism.
- Alcoholism and its deleterious consequences of alcohol intake.
- Health problems related to alcohol abuse.
Module 7: Drug-Nutrition Interactions
- Malabsorption due to drugs and the effects of food on drug absorption and metabolism.
- Physiological, pathological, and therapeutic interactions.
- Effects of nutritional state on drug metabolism and drug-nutrient interactions in the elderly.
Module 8: Toxic Substances in Food and Xenobiotics (Detoxification)
- Natural toxic substances in foods: Sources, active agents, and effects.
- Accidental chemical contamination, intentional food additives, disposal of ingested foreign substances.
- Site of detoxification and the mechanism of detoxification.
Module 9: Nutrition and Immune System
- Basics of immunology, nutrition, and immunodeficiency disorder.
- Effects of malnutrition on immunity.
- Clinical investigation of the immune system.
