Nutrition Components of
Science Basic to the Practice of Medicine & Dentistry
Overall, several areas covered in the SBPMD course are relevant to nutrition.
Below is a summary of the nutrition-related content in these areas as
well as links to the respective lectures. The detailed syllabus content
can be viewed from the SBPMD
web page
Energy metabolism:
The lecture series on energy metabolism provides information on metabolic
processes of fundamental importance in human nutrition. Lectures on carbohydrates,
lipids and proteins provide basic structural and metabolic overviews.
The content is related to nutrition regarding interconversion of fuels
and metabolic regulation of nutrients. The interrelationship between carbohydrate
and fat metabolism and the regulation of stored nutrients is described
and an overview of biosynthetic and degradative pathways of macronutrient
metabolism is provided. Basic mechanisms underlying control of blood glucose
are included. For proteins, an overview of the genetic code and protein
synthesis is provided, as well as description of mutation effects on translation.
The lectures summarize how energy provided by nutrients in the food
is utilized in basic metabolism, discusses energy value of different food
nutrients, and provides an overview of energy conversion to heat in uncoupling
reactions. The content is relevant in our understanding of the relation
of diet intake and energy expenditure to obesity. Energy metabolism under
aerobic/anaerobic conditions is reviwed, and the section on oxidative
stress and free radicals is relevant to atherosclerosis. An overview of
the central role of ATP in energy metabolism is provided. The content
provides insight in the fundamental principles for energy storage, different
ways to use energy, and the role of ATP in transport and signal transduction.
The development of the fat cell, and regulation of fat storage, lipolysis
and transport is described. The differences in function between white
and brown fat is discussed. This content is relevant to the Nutrition
lecture on Obesity in the Cliunical Practice I course. In the lecture
on lipoprotein metabolism, the different lipoprotein classes, their composition,
metabolism are described as well as key enzymes that control their metabolism.
The lecture is relevant to the Nutrition lecture on Atherosclerosis in
the Clinical Practice I course. A basic overview of the regulation of
body temperature and how fuels can be converted to heat is given. The
content is relevant to understanding water requirements and how climate
and exercise affect requirements.
From a nutrition perspective, the students should:
- Be able to describe the major dietary classes of monosaccharides and
their structural differences.
- Be able to describe the structural differences between phospholipids,
triglycerides and sterols.
- Be able to describe the structural difference between different classes
of fatty acids.
- Be able to describe how nutrition-regulated factors influence translation
rate.
- Be able to describe conditions where energy can be stored or converted
to heat.
- Be able to describe the different functions of ATP in synthetic and
transport functions and in signal transduction.
- Be able to describe the metabolic interrelationship between carbohydrate
and fat metabolism.
- To understand (1) how the fed vs. the fasted state affect the metabolism
of glucose, fats and proteins, and (2) the hormonal regulation of the
major metabolic pathways
- To understand the structure of the different kinds of adipocytes,
and how storage, lipolysis and transport are regulated.
- To understand (1) the basic structure, synthesis and degradation of
the major lipoproteins, (2) how these pathways are affected by the fed
vs. fasted states and (3) the role of lipid transfer proteins that regulate
the various pathways.
Lecture links:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Protein synthesis
Energy currency
Energy and metabolism
ATP synthesis
Uses of energy
Oxidation of fuels
Synthesis and Storage of Fuels
The Adipocyte
Lipoprotein Metabolism
Regulation of Body Temperature
Go
to SBPM Web Site
(note: this site password protected)
Endocrinology:
A number of hormones impact on human nutrition. Hormones affect energy
metabolism, the interrelationship between anabolic and catabolic reactions,
the alternative use of carbohydrates, fat or proteins as energy sources,
and endocrinological diseases have nutritional consequences.
Lectures provide an understanding of the role played by the CNS and pituitary
gland in the regulation of homeostasis, an overview of the basic structure,
regulation and functions of several key hormones. An overview of Growth
Hormone in growth and regulation of macronutrient metabolism is given.
This is relevant to the understanding of nutrient (carbohydrates and protein)
consumption as well as exercise effects on growth hormone levels. The
content is also relevant to lectures on Lifecycle Nutrition in the Clinical
Practice I course and to SBPM lectures on regulation of blood glucose.
The cell biology of insulin secretion, the histology of the pancreas,
and the control of islet cell secretion are detailed and provides basic
understanding of how the insulin/glucagon ratio regulates blood glucose
concentration. Lectures describe the regulation of insulin secretion,
the ensuing changes in the major metabolic pathways, and how these processes
are affected in both normal and diabetic subjects in the fed and fasted
state. This is relevant to macronutrient metabolism and regulation of
blood glucose.
The physiology and hormonal control of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
homeostasis is presented including a brief description of skeletal remodeling
as it relates to mineral metabolism. The role of thyroid and parathyroid
hormones in metabolism and in the regulation of calcium and phosphate
respectively, is addressed. This content is relevant to lectures on Lifecycle
Nutrition in the Clinical Practice I course.
An overview of the individual components of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal
axis and describes the major effects of cortisol on metabolism and on
the inflammatory and immune processes. Relevant to the understanding of
macronutrient metabolism.
The reproductive endocrinology lectures provide an extensive overview
of the development of male and female reproductive organs and the hormonal
regulation of reproduction, pregnancy and lactation. Though there are
few direct links to nutrition, an understanding of these lectures is critical
to fully appreciating the Lifecycle Nutrition lectures. The Cytogenetics
lecture provides a basis for understanding the impact of malnutrition
on the fetus and also drug teratogenicity.
From a nutrition perspective, the students should be able to:
- Understand the (1) impact of growth hormone on macronutrient metabolism,
and (2) the impact of nutritional status on growth hormone secretion.
- Understand how glucose affects the secretion of insulin and in turn
how insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose concentration.
- Understand the primary functions of the major minerals calcium, phosphorus
and magnesium, the factors that control their absorption, excretion
and serum concentrations.
- To (1) further understand mechanism of insulin and glucagon secretion
and action, and (2) to describe how these processes, both in normal
and diabetic subjects, are affected by the fed and fasted state.
- To understand the basic physiology of male and female sexual development,
including hormonal regulation of the processes. Mastery of these concepts
will enable the student to appreciate how nutritional status can affect
fetal development, growth, sexual development and reproduction.
Lecture links:
Growth Hormone
The Endocrinology of Normal Mineral Homeostasis
Pancreatic Islets
Pancreatic Physiology
Gonadal Function
Male Reproductive System
Testis
Adult Reproduction I & II
Ovarian and Uterine Structure
Fertilization, Pregnancy and Lactation
Structure and Function of the Breast
Placenta
Cytogenetics
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to SBPM Web Site
(note: this site password protected)
Gastroenterology:
Factors affecting nutrient intake, absorption and excretion are important
in nutrition. These are reviewed in the gastroenterology section of SBPMD,
where the impact of diseases resulting in malabsorption and nutrition
defeiciencies also are presented.
Lectures provide an overview of digestion of food and nutrient intake.
The content correlates to malabsorption and undernutrition. The development
of the tooth and its function in mastication as well as age-induced changes
in tooth structure are discussed. An overview of the exocrine and endocrine
gastric secretion is provided, describing mechanisms for digestion of
food products and the interaction between food and local factors.
Lectures on digestion and absorption and biliary secretion provides a
basic understanding of the mechanisms involved in the digestion and absorption
of macronutrients-carbohydrates, protein and fat, biliary secretion, enterohepatic
circulation and the role of bile salts in lipid metabolism. Mechanisms
for food and nutrient uptake and for hydrolysis and absorption of carbohydrates
and fat are described. The importance of ion transport mechanisms is reviewed
as well as secretory functions of exocrine glands involved in food digestion
and nutrient uptake. Effect of long-term diet modifications on digestive
enzymes is addressed. These lectures are relevant for the understanding
of nutrient intake andabsorption.
A lecture on the complex enteric nervous system is relevant to the understanding
of congenital abnormalities of the ENS and gastro-intestinal diseases
in the adult. In another lecture, an overview of the mechanisms of contractile
activity in the fasting and fed state, including swallowing, gastric emptying,
and propulsion and mixing in the small and large intestines is provided.
This is relevant to the understanding of gastro-intestinal nutrition in
health and disease.
From a nutrition perspective, the students should be able to:
- Be able to understand the mechanisms in the metabolism of fats and
cholesterol.
- Be able to understand the rationale for the regimens in the treatment
of hyperlipidemia.
- Be able to understand the anatomical considerations and the various
stages of digestion and absorption of macronutrients and electrolytes
in the nutritional treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disturbances.
Lecture links:
Gut morphology
Structure and biology of the Tooth
Gastric secretion
Digestion and Absorption
Pancreatic and salivary secretion
Biliary Secretion
Enteric Nervous System
Gastrointestinal Motility
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to SBPM Web Site
(note: this site password protected)
Fluid and electrolytes:
The nutrition aspects in this area relates to regulation of water and
electrolyte intake.
An introduction to renal structure and function is provided. An overview
of a major function of the kidney and the regulation of extracellular
space homeostasis is given. The distribution of water and ions within
a multicellular organism and the different compositions of the intracellular
and extracellular departments are reviewed. The content is relevant to
the understanding of the regulation of sodium intake and relevant to the
understanding of renal nutrition. The content relates to the understanding
of dietary sodium intake in congestive heart failure, renal disease and
hypertension.
A lecture provides an understanding of the assessment of potassium balance
and how the kidney handles potassium along the nephron, relevant to the
understanding of dietary intake and excretion of potassium.
Lectures providing an overview of the water content of the body and
the reasons to regulate it and the processes that generate acid or base
are given. The content is relevant to the understanding that metabolism
of fuels present in foods results in the generation of volatile and non-volatile
acid as well as base.
Lecture links:
Volume and Composition of the Body Fluids
Introduction to Renal Structure and Function
Regulation of Extracellular Fluid Volume
Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration
Regulation of Water Content
Potassium
Go
to SBPM Web Site
(note: this site password protected)
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