Topic 3

Unit 5. Biochemical-nutritional role of the oligonutrients

Activation and biochemical role of water-soluble vitamins: B1, B2, B6, B12, C, H, PP, folic acid, pantothenic acid. Absorption and transport of vitamin B12. The fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K. Absorption, activation and biological role. Inorganic nutrients. Na, K, Ca, Mg and P: main biochemical roles of macro minerals. Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, I, F, Cr, Se, Co: biochemical role of trace elements. Role of food suppliers and food enrichment. Nutraceutic value of bioactive compounds.

Unit 6. Biochemical dysfunctions metabolic disorders.

Molecular and enzymatic alterations in metabolic disorders. Obesity as a pathology of endogenous biochemical systems that modulate inflammation but also behavioural aspects. Bioactive compounds present in foods that are able to prevent pathologies of wide diffusion and high social impact typical of industrialized countries. Nutrigenomics, epigenetic modulation and their role on the main human pathologies.