78799 - Nutritional Physiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows: the physiological role of nutrients; the physiology of motor, secretory and absorption functions of the human digestive system; energy consumption and nutritional requirements in basal conditions, in physical exercise and in other physiological conditions; the neural and hormonal mechanisms that regulate food intake; the water balance and the neural mechanisms that regulate water intake; the methods for evaluating the state of nutrition.

Course contents

Functions of the digestive system

Motor and secretory functions of the digestive system

Nervous and hormonal control of the functions of the digestive system. Chewing. Salivary secretion. Swallowing. Gastric motility and secretion. Vomit. Pancreatic and biliary secretion. Emptying of the gallbladder. Motility and secretions of the small and large intestine. Defecation.

Digestion and absorption

Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Absorption of water, alcohol, vitamins and minerals.

Functions of the intestinal microbiota

Stimulation of the immune system. Defense against exogenous bacteria. Digestion of nutrients not otherwise digestible. Synthesis of vitamins. Metabolism of estrogens and procarcinogens. Prebiotics and probiotics.

 

Physiological role of nutrients

Physiological role of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients.

 

Energy metabolism, nutritional requirements, and food homeostasis

Energy metabolism

Energy metabolism and factors affecting it. Basal metabolism. Calorimetry. Predictive equations, evaluation of substrate oxidation and their applications. Energy consumption in physical exercise.

Regulation of food and water intake

Neural centers and hormonal factors involved in the regulation of food intake. Body weight regulation. Regulation of water intake and water balance. Mechanism of thirst.

Nutritional requirements

Nutritional needs in particular physiological conditions: in infancy, adolescence, exercise, pregnancy, breastfeeding, old age. Reference levels of nutrients and energy intake for the Italian population (LARN).

Nutrition status assessment

Body composition analysis: anthropo-plicometry, bioimpedance analysis and their applications. Techniques for food intake detection: applications and limits.

Readings/Bibliography

- L. Debellis, A. Poli - Alimentazione, nutrizione e salute, EdiSES, 2019.

- E. Carbone, G. Aicardi, R. Maggi - Fisiologia: dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati (seconda edizione), EdiSES, 2018.

- P. Biagi, A. Di Giulio, A. Fiorilli, A. Lorenzini - Principi di nutrizione, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2010 (volume 1 della collana: Nutrizione per lo sport).

- W.D. Mcardle, F.I. Katch, V.L. Katch - Fisiologia applicata allo sport: aspetti energetici, nutrizionali e performance (terza edizione), Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2018.

Teaching methods

Lectures using Power Point presentations.

Assessment methods

Oral exam on the topics of the program.

Teaching tools

Power Point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Aicardi

See the website of Fiorenza Stagni