The Building Blocks of Life: A Nutrition Foundation for Healthcare Professionals

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgements
Author
Introduction
	References
1. Nutrition Basics
	The basics
	Macro- and micronutrients Are split up into smaller and more complex groups
	Macronutrients
		Fats
		Proteins
		Carbohydrates
		Fibre
		Water
	Micronutrients
		Vitamins
		Minerals
		Omega-3 Fatty Acids
		Phytonutrients
	Deficiency or insufficiency
	Nutrient intakes - terminology
	National Diet and Nutrition Survey
	Government guidelines
	There Is nothing simple about nutrition
	References
2. Malnutrition
	What is malnutrition?
		Definitions
	Prevalence of malnutrition in the UK
	The difference between macronutrient and micronutrient malnutrition
	Undernutrition is part of malnutrition
		Vitamin D
		Omega-3 Fatty Acids
	What are the health implications of these nutrient shortfalls?
		Vitamin A
		Vitamin D
		Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
		Folate (Folic Acid)
		Calcium
		Magnesium
		Iron
		Iodine
		Selenium
		Zinc
		Omega-3
	Real life
	Other issues
	Confusing public health messages
	Solutions?
	Education
	Social prescribing
	Clear messages
	A quick fix?
	References
3. Digestion
	Digestion and Absorption
		Fat Soluble Vitamins
		Water Soluble Vitamins
		Minerals
	Immunity
	The Microbiome
		The Microbiome in the Mouth
		The Microbiome in the Gut
	Fibre
	Short Chain Fatty Acids
	Fermented Foods
	The Second Brain
		The Nervous Systems in the Gut
		Neurotransmitters
		Glutamate and GABA
	The Centrality of the Gut to Health
	References
4. Obesity
	Obesity and poverty
	Ultra-processed food
	The glycaemic index
	How our relationship with food impacts obesity
	Insulin and carbohydrate
	Hunger and appetite
	Satiety value
	Fat is not the enemy
	Saturated fat - really not so bad
	Trans fats and omega-3
	Obesity and the microbiome
	There is no single "best way" to lose weight
	References
5. Immunity
	Immunity requires both micronutrients and macronutrients
		Nutrients Fund Immunity
	Omega-3 and omega-6
	Vitamins
		Vitamin A
		Vitamin D
		Vitamin E
		The B Vitamins
		Vitamin C
	Minerals
		Iron
		Zinc
		Selenium
		Calcium
	Other factors
		β-glucans
		Flavonoids and Polyphenols
		The Microbiome and GALT
	References
6. Vitamin D
	Vitamin D from food
	Vitamin D from sunlight
	Safety
	Situation in the UK
	Vitamin D deficiency rates in the UK
	Bones
	Mental health
	Immunity
	Autoimmune disease
		Multiple Sclerosis
		Diabetes
		Inflammatory GI Diseases
		Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
	Some cancers
	Skin health
	To test or not to test
	Supplementing to protect
	References
7. Conception, Pregnancy and Foetal Development
	Mum and baby
	Folic acid
		Other Benefits of B Vitamins
	Fats and oils
		Trans Fats
		Omega Fats
	The microbiome
	Energy intakes
	Protein intake
	Finally ... for mum and baby
	Preconception for dad
	References
8. Tired All the Time
	Metabolism
	Energy substrates
	Energy production from glucose
		Glycolysis
		The Link Reaction
		The Krebs Cycle
		The Electron Transport Chain
	It gets more complicated...
		β-Oxidation of Fatty Acids
		Protein Metabolism
	Nutrients needed for energy production: Vitamins
		Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
		Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
		Niacin (Vitamin B3)
		Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
		Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
		Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
		Folic Acid
		Biotin
		Choline
		Vitamin C
	Nutrients needed for energy production: Minerals
		Calcium
		Iron
		Magnesium
		Manganese
		Phosphorus
	Other nutrients needed for energy production
		Coenzyme Q10
		Vitamin D
		Water
	Nutritional management of fatigue
	Always read the label
	References
9. Different Ways of Eating
	Mediterranean diet
	The flexitarian diet
	Vegetarianism and veganism
		Junk Food Vegetarians
		Potential Nutrient Shortfalls in Vegetarian Diets
		Vitamin A
		B Vitamins
		Vitamin D
		Omega-3
		Iron
		Calcium
		Iodine
		Selenium
		Zinc
	The keto diet
	Intermittent fasting
	The Palaeolithic (Paleo) diet
	Detox diets
		The Liver - Key to Detoxification
	Raw food diet
	Is there a "best" diet?
	References
Conclusion
	References
Nutrient "Cheat Sheets"
	References
Index