Nutrition and Metabolism

Code

BIOS4068

School

Biosciences

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

• Metabolism in the Fed, Fasted and Starved States: The role of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins as energy substrates. A review of how the metabolism of these macro-nutrients is integrated in the fed, fasting and starved states.
• Nutrition, Metabolism and Exercise: Changes in metabolism associated with different forms of exercise. Current concepts of the role of nutrition in enhancing sporting performance.
• Disorders of Metabolism: Consideration of some selected examples of inherited disorders of metabolism and the metabolic rationale for some of the therapies used to elevate their effects. 
• Obesity: Body composition and energy balance. Health and physiological considerations of obesity. Treatment of obesity. 
• Diabetes: History of diabetes. Role of insulin in regulating metabolism. Impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome, insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Diabetic complications. Treatment of diabetes.
• Cardiovascular Disease, Lipoproteins, Hyperlipidaemia and Atherosclerosis: Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. Structure and function of lipoproteins. Regulation of plasma lipoprotein concentrations. Genetic and metabolic basis of the hyperlipidaemias. Nature of the atherosclerotic plaque and the biochemical mechanisms underlying its development.

Target Students

Students studying on the PGDip/MSc Nutritional Sciences programme.

Classes

Lectures - 40 (60 minutes each). Practicals - One practical assessing macronutrient metabolism. Each student attends for 3h at one of 2 designated times.

Assessment

• 40% Coursework 1: Case Study
• 60% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys Exam

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Recall major factors associated with the metabolism of macronutrients during normal (healthy) metabolism.

• Assess the impact of changes in macronutrient metabolism associated with common chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease).

• Interpret the impact of genetic mutations/polymorphisms on pathways of metabolism and disease outcomes.

• Conduct and evaluate techniques used in assessing macronutrient metabolism and body composition.

Conveners

• Dr Sally Eldeghaidy