Principles of human nutrition

Lean, M. E.J. (2019) Principles of human nutrition. Medicine, 47(3), pp. 140-144. (doi: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2018.12.014)

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Abstract

We rely on the foods we eat to provide all the building blocks for tissue growth and reproduction, the energy required for all metabolism, functions and activities, and the compounds that are ‘essential’ for normal metabolism but cannot be synthesized by humans. Nutritional science covers all the processes involved in achieving a healthy balance between requirements and the supply of nutrients, at the right time and in appropriate proportions, at cellular, organ, whole-body and group/population levels. Nutritional status (a composite of what we eat, what we are and what we can do) should be assessed in all patients. Good clinical and public health practice requires first an awareness that nutrition is important, and then the application of simple screening, and detailed evaluation when appropriate. Nutritional status is commonly affected by illness and by treatment. Nutrition is only occasionally a sole cause or treatment of disease, but is frequently an important contributor to disease aetiology and to management, especially for prevention.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lean, Professor Michael
Authors: Lean, M. E.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Medicine
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1357-3039
ISSN (Online):1878-9390
Published Online:08 February 2019

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