Basics of Nutrition Module

Introduction

• Instructor: Cyrus
• Module Goals:
  • Learn fundamental food compounds
  • Explore key developments in nutritional sciences history
  • Understand the role of macro and micronutrients in health
• Outcomes:
  • Describe roles of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
  • List milestones in nutritional sciences history
  • Explain myths and misconceptions about nutrition
  • Discuss the health benefits of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber
  • Provide general tips on best dietary patterns for optimal health
• Approach:
  • Practical and clinically relevant information
  • Inclusion of nutrition history facts for context

Module Structure

• Series of video lessons with quizzes at the end of each
• Flexible completion schedule
• Key facts highlighted, collected into a cheat sheet

Time Travel Concept

• Use of free technology for special effects in historical exploration
• Meet historical figures in nutritional sciences
• Aim to provide an immersive experience

Key Historical Figures and Discoveries

Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier

• Contribution:
  • Founded modern chemistry
  • Discovered that bodies need fuel (energy) and emit CO2
  • His work initiated the investigation of food composition

Justus von Liebig

• Contribution:
  • Developed cali apparatus for carbon analysis
  • His students continued research on protein requirements

Wilbur Olin Atwater

• Contribution:
  • Built apparatus to measure energy content of food components
  • Developed Atwater factors for macronutrient calorie content
  • Introduced the term "calorie" for food energy unit

Energy Content of Food

• Measured in kilocalories and kilojoules
• Historical focus was more on feeding institutionalized populations than individual health
• Shift towards nutrition-disease relationship over time

Key Takeaways

• Food as fuel concept from Lavoisier
• Calorie measurement developed in the 19th century
• Both kilocalories and kilojoules are used today

Question for Further Thought

• Do you know the Atwater factors or kilocalorie content per gram for macronutrients? Find out in Lesson 1 on macronutrients.