Molecular Nutrition

Book excerpt: Molecular Nutrition: Vitamins presents the nutritional and molecular aspects of vitamins with a specific focus on vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B# (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), B12 (colbamin), C, D, E, and K. As part of the Molecular Nutrition series, this book discusses introductory aspects and general coverage of vitamins and nutrition, the molecular biology of the cell, including signaling, transporters, oxidative stress, receptors, uptake, immunity, proliferation, endoplasmic reticulum, differentiation, carcinogenesis and apoptosis. Final sections cover genetic machinery and its function, transcriptional processes, homeostasis genes, cancer, gene expression, mutations, and more. Emerging fields of molecular biology and important discoveries related to diet and nutritional health are also covered, rounding out the book. - Summarizes molecular nutrition in health as related to vitamins - Includes material on signaling, transporters, oxidative stress, receptors, uptake, immunity, proliferation, endoplasmic reticulum, differentiation, carcinogenesis and apoptosis - Presents transcriptional processes, homeostasis genes, cancer, gene expression, mutations, the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter, p53, p21, microRNAs, one carbon metabolism, nucleic acids, DNA methylation and polymorphisms - Addresses emerging fields of molecular biology and presents important discoveries related to diet and nutritional health - Covers Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K - Discusses their impact on health relating to cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and aging - Includes key facts, a mini dictionary of terms, and summary points