Human health issues relating to amino acids are extremely broad and include metabolic disorders of amino acid metabolism as well as their presence in food and use as supplements. This book covers the biochemistry of amino acid metabolism in the context of health and disease. It discusses their use as food supplements, in clinical therapy and nutritional support and focuses on major recent developments, highlighting new areas of research that will be needed to sustain further interest in the field.

This edited volume comprehensively highlights recent advances in the metabolism, nutrition, physiology, and pathobiology of amino acids in all the systems of humans and other animals (including livestock, poultry, companion animals, and fish). It enables readers to understand the crucial roles of amino acids and their metabolites in the health and diseases of the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal, and urinary systems, as well as the sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue). Readers will learn that amino acids are not only the building blocks of protein, but are also signalling molecules, as well as regulators of gene expression, metabolic processes and developmental changes in the body. This knowledge will guide nutritional practices to improve the growth, development and health of humans and other animals, as well as prevent and treat chronic (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders) and infectious (e.g., bacterial, fungal, parasite, and viral) diseases. Editor of this volume is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional biochemistry. He has over 38 years of experience with research and teaching at world-class universities in the area of amino acid biochemistry, nutrition, and physiology. He has published more than 625 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 62 chapters in books, and authored two text/reference books, with an H-index of 117 and more than 55,000 citations in Google Scholar. This publication is a useful reference for professionals as well as undergraduate and graduate students in animal science, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biology, human medicine, food science, kinesiology, nursing, nutrition, pharmacology, physiology, toxicology, veterinary medicine, and other related disciplines. In addition, all chapters provide general and specific references to amino acids in systems health for researchers and practitioners in biomedicine, animal and plant agriculture, and aquaculture, and for government policy makers.

Human nutrition.

Human Nutrition: A Health Perspective, Second Edition presents a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of nutrition, together with their application through the life cycle and in a variety of life situations. Topics covered are relevant to students in a variety of courses that include nutrition. The book is also ideal for health-related courses that address how nutrition is related to the development of diseases that afflict Western populations, and what can be done to minimize the risks of developing such diseases. To facilitate learning, the book involves readers in thinking about their own nutrition for the protection and promotion of health. Topics include food allergy, fluid intakes, sports nutrition, functional foods, and nutrients sold as supplements. The text is interspersed with study questions and diagrams to engage and maintain readers’ attention. Scientific explanations are provided in an accessible manner to help in understanding and to clarify principles. The flow of the information builds from methods of studying nutrition and essential principles about the structure of diet through an exploration of the functions of all the nutrients. The basic knowledge is applicable to a study of the major life stages and the challenges that might threaten nutritional status. The book highlights issues related to major diseases in the West such as coronary heart disease and cancer. It also considers the concept of optimizing nutrition and discusses nutrition policy and related health promotion issues.

It is a commonly held belief that athletes, particularly body builders, have greater requirements for dietary protein than sedentary individuals. However, the evidence in support of this contention is controversial. This book is the latest in a series of publications designed to inform both civilian and military scientists and personnel about issues related to nutrition and military service. Among the many other stressors they experience, soldiers face unique nutritional demands during combat. Of particular concern is the role that dietary protein might play in controlling muscle mass and strength, response to injury and infection, and cognitive performance. The first part of the book contains the committee's summary of the workshop, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The remainder of the book contains papers contributed by speakers at the workshop on such topics as, the effects of aging and hormones on regulation of muscle mass and function, alterations in protein metabolism due to the stress of injury or infection, the role of individual amino acids, the components of proteins, as neurotransmitters, hormones, and modulators of various physiological processes, and the efficacy and safety considerations associated with dietary supplements aimed at enhancing performance.

1. 1. 4 Nutritional deficiency and excess which form the metabolic enzyme structure of the individual. It is not possible to live for more than 2-3 minutes without oxygen. However, life can continue with 1. 1. 5 Social, population and environmental out water for between 2 and 7 days depending influences on nutrition upon the ambient temperature and the amount of exercise being taken. Survival without any food at The reliable provision of food requires an orga all, but with water, may be for 60-120 days, nized society. A society that is disorganized depending upon the body stores. Females and through war, epidemics of infections or natural those with considerable subcutaneous fat survive disaster is less able to produce or deliver food for longer than slightly built males. than a well-structured stable society with a suffi There are individual responses to nutritional ciency of healthy workers. It is important that deficiency and excess. Though in general weight food is grown which is appropriate for the partic increase in association with overall excessive eat ular population's social, cultural and religious ing and weight loss is associated with inadequate beliefs. The influences on nutrition (Figure 1. 1) dietary intake. The failure to provide the essential include: amino acids, fats, vitamins and trace elements leads to specific lesions which may progress to • food availability and intake morbidity and death.

Now in its third edition, the best-selling Introduction to Human Nutrition continues to foster an integrated, broad knowledge of the discipline and presents the fundamental principles of nutrition science in an accessible way. With up-to-date coverage of a range of topics from food composition and dietary reference standards to phytochemicals and contemporary challenges of global food safety, this comprehensive text encourages students to think critically about the many factors and influences of human nutrition and health outcomes. Offers a global, multidisciplinary perspective on food and nutrition Covers nutrition and metabolism of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals Explores new developments in functional foods, supplements and food fortification, and future challenges for nutrition research and practice Explains the digestion, absorption, circulatory transport, and cellular uptake of nutrients Demonstrates the structure and characteristics of nutrients, and the relationship with disease prevention A primary text in nutritional science classes worldwide, Introduction to Human Nutrition is a vital resource for students in areas of nutrition, dietetics, and related subjects that involve principles of nutrition science.