Nutritional Sciences Course

Lesson 1 • Digestion and Nutrient Absorption

Traces the gastrointestinal pathway from ingestion to cellular uptake. Explains enzymatic and transport mechanisms critical to bioavailability.

Lesson 2 • Defining Nutrition and Its Scope

Introduces nutrition as a scientific discipline and its role in health. Connects historical milestones to modern evidence-based practice.

Lesson 3 • Cellular Energy Metabolism

Explains ATP production pathways and how cells extract energy from nutrients. Grounds later chapters on macronutrient metabolism in biochemical reality.

Lesson 1 • Lipid Classification and Structure

Categorises fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols by structure. Provides the chemical foundation for understanding fat metabolism and function.

Lesson 2 • Lipid Digestion, Transport, and Metabolism

Explains lipoprotein transport, beta-oxidation, and ketogenesis. Connects lipid biochemistry to cardiovascular health outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Carbohydrate Metabolism and Glycaemic Response

Covers glucose regulation, insulin signalling, and glycaemic index. Links carbohydrate quality to chronic disease risk.

Lesson 4 • Carbohydrate Structure and Classification

Distinguishes monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides by structure and function. Establishes the chemical basis for glycaemic and fibre discussions.

Lesson 1 • Protein Quality and Food Sources

Applies scoring methods to compare animal and plant protein quality. Guides practical food selection for meeting amino acid requirements.

Lesson 2 • Water, Electrolytes, and Hydration

Explains fluid compartments, electrolyte balance, and hydration assessment. Connects water intake to kidney function and physical performance.

Lesson 3 • Protein Digestion and Synthesis

Traces proteolysis from stomach to intestine and explains ribosomal protein synthesis. Connects dietary protein intake to muscle and tissue maintenance.

Lesson 4 • Protein Requirements Across Life Stages

Quantifies protein needs for growth, maintenance, and ageing. Addresses elevated needs in athletes, pregnancy, and older adults.

Lesson 1 • Vitamin C and Antioxidant Function

Explains ascorbic acid roles in collagen synthesis, iron absorption, and immune defence. Addresses scurvy, megadose risks, and food sources.

Lesson 2 • Vitamin Deficiency and Toxicity Assessment

Applies clinical and biochemical markers to identify vitamin status. Prepares students to evaluate supplement use and fortification strategies.

Lesson 3 • B-Vitamin Complex Functions

Maps each B vitamin to its coenzyme role in energy and one-carbon metabolism. Connects deficiencies to neurological and haematological outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Mineral Interactions and Bioavailability

Identifies competitive absorption, phytate and oxalate inhibition, and synergistic mineral pairs. Enables accurate dietary planning to optimise mineral status.

Lesson 2 • Iodine, Selenium, and Other Trace Elements

Examines thyroid hormone synthesis, antioxidant selenoproteins, and roles of copper, manganese, and chromium. Identifies deficiency and toxicity thresholds.

Lesson 3 • Iron and Zinc Metabolism

Traces iron absorption, transport, and storage alongside zinc's enzymatic roles. Addresses deficiency prevalence and inhibitors of absorption.

Lesson 4 • Major Minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium

Covers bone mineralisation, phosphate energy transfer, and magnesium enzyme cofactor roles. Connects intake adequacy to skeletal and metabolic health.

Lesson 1 • Obesity: Aetiology and Health Consequences

Examines genetic, hormonal, and environmental drivers of obesity. Links adiposity to cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal, and psychological comorbidities.

Lesson 2 • Weight Management Principles

Applies energy deficit and surplus strategies to fat loss and muscle gain goals. Addresses metabolic adaptation and sustainable behaviour change.

Lesson 3 • Estimating Energy Needs

Applies validated predictive equations and activity factors to estimate individual energy needs. Compares indirect calorimetry to prediction methods.

Lesson 4 • Body Composition Assessment Methods

Compares DXA, BIA, skinfold, and anthropometric methods for measuring fat and lean mass. Addresses accuracy, accessibility, and clinical utility of each.

Lesson 1 • Adult and Older Adult Nutrition

Identifies age-related changes in absorption, muscle mass, and appetite affecting nutrient needs. Addresses vitamin D, B12, and protein priorities in older adults.

Lesson 2 • Prenatal and Maternal Nutrition

Quantifies increased nutrient demands during pregnancy and their impact on foetal development. Addresses gestational weight gain and critical nutrient supplementation.

Lesson 3 • Childhood and Adolescent Nutrition

Addresses growth-driven nutrient needs, school feeding environments, and pubertal changes. Links adolescent dietary patterns to long-term chronic disease risk.

Lesson 1 • Goal Setting and Meal Planning

Translates nutrient targets into practical meal plans using SMART goal frameworks. Addresses cultural food preferences and budget constraints.

Lesson 2 • Dietary Assessment Methods

Compares 24-hour recalls, food frequency questionnaires, and food records for accuracy and feasibility. Addresses systematic errors and population-level applications.

Lesson 3 • Nutritional Status Indicators

Integrates dietary, anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical data for comprehensive status assessment. Applies the ABCD framework to case-based scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Behaviour Change Theories in Nutrition

Applies transtheoretical, social cognitive, and motivational interviewing models to dietary change. Connects theory to practical counselling strategies.