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. It is suitable researchers and students in human nutrition and food science.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Written for the upper-level undergrad or graduate level majors course, Advanced Human Nutrition, Third Edition provides an in-depth overview of the human body and details why nutrients are important from a biochemical, physiological, and molecular perspective. Through its writing style and numerous figures and illustrations, the Third Edition clearly outlines metabolism and the molecular functions of nutrients. A variety of pedagogical elements within the text, such as “Here’s Where You Have Been” and “Here’s Where You Are Going,” help clarify key points from the chapter and provide real-world examples that bring the content to life. New and Key Features of the Third Edition: • Includes new chapters on Fiber and Nutraceuricals and Functional Foods • “Before You Go On” sections asks students to reflect upon what they’ve just read, urging them to go back and re-read portions of the text if they do not readily grasp the material. • “Special Feature” boxes on focused topics add depth to the chapter and, in some cases, allow the student to view the application of basic science. • The end-of-chapter summary reiterates key points from the chapter and helps students prepare for future exams.

Amino acids (AAs) are not only building blocks of protein, but are also signalling molecules as well as regulators of gene expression and the protein phosphorylation cascade. Additionally, AAs are key precursors for syntheses of hormones and low-molecular weight nitrogenous substances with each having enormous biological importance. For example, physiological concentrations of AA metabolites (e.g., nitric oxide, polyamines, glutathione, taurine, thyroid hormones, and serotonin) are required for cell functions. Growing evidence shows that humans and animals have dietary requirements for all proteinogenic AAs. Mammals, birds and fish also have species- and age-dependent needs for some AA-related substances. However, elevated levels of other products (e.g., ammonia, homocysteine, H2S, and asymmetric dimethylarginine) are pathogenic factors for neurological disorders, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, optimal amounts of AAs and their ratios in diets and circulation are crucial for whole body homeostasis and health. Adequate provision of one or a mixture of functional AAs or metabolites may be beneficial for ameliorating health problems at various stages of the life cycle (e.g., fetal growth restriction, neonatal morbidity and mortality, weaning-associated intestinal dysfunction and wasting syndrome, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, and infertility). Dietary supplementation of these nutrients can also optimize the efficiency of metabolic transformations to enhance muscle growth, milk production, and athletic performance, while preventing excess fat deposition and reducing adiposity. Therefore, functional AAs hold great promise in improving the growth, health and well-being of individuals. Chapter 7 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Human Nutrition: Healthy Options for Life provides all the essentials information students need regarding foods and nutrients, and how the body uses nutrients in relation to both health and chronic diseases. The authors provide a unique focus on the linkages between nutrients deficits and/or excesses and personal health. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book is missing some of the images or content found in the physical edition.