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Micronutrients in Human Nutrition - (MIN-601) (HND): Course Content

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that the body needs in very small amounts, but they are essential for various bodily functions, including growth, development, and disease prevention.

Course Outline

Vitamins: nomenclature, history, development of the vitamins concept;
• Fat and water soluble vitamins: sources, chemistry, absorption, transport and storage,
metabolism, function, deficiency, bioassay, interaction with other nutrients, recommended
daily allowances and toxicities;
• Diagnosis, treatments and prevention of vitamin deficiencies in human; Stability of
vitamins under different storage conditions;
• Vitamin like compounds; Losses of vitamin during food processing;
• Minerals: types, history and developments of the minerals concept; Criteria of essentiality of minerals and their classification;
• Minerals distribution in human body;
• Macro- and microminerals: dietary sources, absorption, metabolism, metabolic function, deficiency symptoms and disorders, recommended daily allowances, diagnosis, treatments and prevention of mineral
deficiencies in human;
Water and electrolytes.

Course Description and Learning Outcomes

Course Description:
The Micronutrients in Human Nutrition course examines the essential vitamins and minerals
required for human health. Students will study the functions, sources, and recommended intakes
of micronutrients, along with the consequences of deficiencies and excesses. The course highlights
the critical role of micronutrients in preventing disease and promoting overall well-being.
Learning Outcomes:
•To understand the functional roles of vitamins and minerals in human nutrition with special reference to metabolism
•To familiarize with the deficiency symptoms and health disorders associated with improper intake of vitamins and minerals
•To analyze losses of micronutrients during food processing