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The concept of “vital amines” as essential nutrients was introduced over a century ago by Dr Casimir Funk. It was suggested that there is a family of organic substances that are required in minute amounts and essential for life. The increase in incorporation of vitamins and supplementation in routine dietary practices is expected to increase. In fact, it has been estimated that 60% of worldwide consumers are taking vitamin supplements on a daily basis, a trend that will most likely rise across the world.This book brings together international experts in the field of vitamins for human health and disease, to update and integrate current understanding on the effects of different lipophilic vitamins on cellular, metabolic and molecular biochemical reactions with respect to different pathophysiological conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic defects, inflammatory and immune diseases. This book is uniquely positioned as it focuses on the biochemistry and molecular biology of lipophilic vitamins in diverse cell systems in relation to human health and disease.The book will certainly stimulate and motivate biomedical researchers and scientists to further explore the relationship between lipophilic vitamins and biological processes, as well as serve as a highly useful resource for nutritional investigators, health professionals, medical students, fellows, residents and graduate students. We hope that the reader will gain knowledge and further understanding of the importance of lipophilic vitamins. The novel insights provided by the contributing authors will assist in advancing preventive medicine worldwide as well as bring forward knowledge that may help in the use of lipophilic vitamins as adjuvant to therapeutic strategies for human disease.

Die fettlöslichen Vitamine D, E, K und A haben eine zentrale Bedeutung für das Immunsystem, Herz-Kreislauf-System, Knochen, Muskeln, Blutgerinnung und vieles mehr. Auch bei der Prävention zahlreicher Krankheiten wie Atemwegserkrankungen, COVID-19, Krebs, Herz-Kreislauf- und Autoimmunerkrankungen spielen sie eine Rolle. Vor allem Vitamin D gewinnt aufgrund neuer wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse immer mehr an Bedeutung. Neben den Gesundheitswirkungen von Vitamin D behandelt das Buch auch die schlechte Versorgung mit diesem Vitamin hierzulande und geht ausführlich darauf ein, wie ein Mangel verhindert oder behoben werden kann. Es informiert, welche Blutwerte optimal sind und welche Dosierung sinnvoll ist. Vitamin K agiert als wichtiger Partner von Vitamin D und wird ebenfalls immer häufiger ergänzend eingenommen. In welchen Fällen dies sinnvoll und worauf dabei zu achten ist, erfahren Sie ebenfalls in diesem Ratgeber. Das Buch beinhaltet ein ausführliches Literaturverzeichnis mit über 160 wissenschaftlichen Quellen zum Nachlesen und Vertiefen.

Die fettlöslichen Vitamine D, E, K und A haben eine zentrale Bedeutung für das Immunsystem, Herz-kreislauf-System, Knochen, Muskeln, Blutgerinnung und vieles mehr. Auch bei der Prävention zahlreicher Krankheiten wie Atemwegserkrankungen, COVID-19, Krebs, Herz-Kreislauf- und Autoimmunerkrankungen spielen sie eine Rolle. Vor allem Vitamin D gewinnt aufgrund neuer wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse immer mehr an Bedeutung. Neben den Gesundheitswirkungen von Vitamin D behandelt das Buch auch die schlechte Versorgung mit diesem Vitamin hierzulande und geht ausführlich darauf ein, wie ein Mangel verhindert oder behoben werden kann. Es informiert, welche Blutwerte optimal sind und welche Dosierung sinnvoll ist. Vitamin K agiert als wichtiger Partner von Vitamin D und wird ebenfalls immer häufiger ergänzend eingenommen. In welchen Fällen dies sinnvoll und worauf dabei zu achten ist, erfahren Sie ebenfalls in diesem Ratgeber. Das Buch beinhaltet ein ausführliches Literaturverzeichnis mit über 160 wissenschaftlichen Quellen zum Nachlesen und Vertiefen.

Antioxidants inhibit the formation and spread of free radicals which can be damaging in biological systems. Free radicals form in biological systems through metabolism, but it is also realized that exogenous environmental sources, such as radiation, food, and drugs, contribute significantly to the generation of free radicals in biological systems. Being reactive species, free radicals are short-lived and do not travel far from cellular targets. Their concentration in biological systems is very low and is difficult to detect directly by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). Indirect methods of reactions of radicals with specific biomolecules are also sufficiently sensitive to detect quantitatively their presence. Thus the response of antioxidant defenses which react with radical species, can serve as an indirect measure that free radicals have been formed. Redox-based antioxidants change their oxidation state and antioxidants become free radicals themselves. Often, however, the antioxidants give rise to more persistent free radicals, sometimes owing to delocalization of the lone electron around ring structures (in vitamin E, ubiquinones, and certain carotenes). Persistent free radicals react only rarely and the precursors often can be regenerated in biological systems. In recent years, it is becoming clearer from biochemical studies on how the major lipophilic antioxidants work. Particular attention has been given to vitamin E and quinones found in animal and plant membranes and in carotenoids, for the protection of membranes in lipoprotein systems. Flavonoids form another rich and varied source of natural antioxidants.

The first demonstration of the existence of a vitamin and the full recognition of this fact are often attributed to the work of McCollum, who found that a sub­ stance in butterfat and cod-liver oil was necessary for growth and health of ani­ mals fed purified diets. It became obvious that an organic substance present in microconcentrations was vital to growth and reproduction of animals. Following the coining of the word vitamine by Funk, McCollum named this fat-soluble sub­ stance vitamin A. We can, therefore, state that vitamin A was certainly one of the first known vitamins, yet its function and the function of the other fat-soluble vitamins had remained largely unknown until recent years. However, there has been an explosion of investigation and new information in this field, which had remained quiescent for at least two or three decades. It is now obvious that the fat-soluble vitamins function quite differently from their water-soluble counter­ parts. We have learned that vitamin D functions by virtue of its being converted in the kidney to a hormone that functions to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism. This new endocrine system is in the process of being elucidated in detail, and in addition, the medical use of these hormonal forms of vitamin D in the treatment of a variety of metabolic bone diseases has excited the medical com­ munity.

Proper nutrition is the single most important component of preventative health care. Heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments are all linked to dietary habits. Accurate nutritional assessment can be a matter of life or death. Laboratory Tests for the Assessment of Nutritional Status explores the expanded number of nutrients that can now be evaluated. The author makes a compelling case for the practice and advancement of this critical health care tool. Nutritional assessment identifies undernutrition, overnutrition, specific nutrition deficiencies, and imbalances. Diligent assessment determines the appropriate nutrition intervention and monitors its effects. This book is a total revision of the 1974 version of the same title co -authored by Sauberlich. Since then, remarkable progress has been made on the methodologies applicable to nutrition status assessment and to the expanded number of nutrients that can be evaluated, especially trace elements. The introduction of high-performance liquid chromatography, amperometric detectors, and other technologies has advanced nutritional assessment by leaps and bounds. Today, nutritionists can gauge the value of microminerals, trace elements, and ultratrace elements. Sauberlich's revision updates the reader to the latest and most important trends in nutrition. These laboratory methods for the assessment of nutritional status are vital for identifying individuals as well as populations with nutritional risks.