Course Goals

(As provided by American University Course HLTH 655 Vitamins and Minerals)

•  Provide students with an in-depth understanding of micronutrient metabolism.

•  Expand upon previous knowledge to allow for well-informed micronutrient recommendations.

•  Provide students with the tools to interpret new micronutrient literature.

•  Help students understand digestion, absorption, and transport of each micronutrient, as well as the interplay between micronutrients.

•  Develop the ability to identify both deficiency and toxicity symptoms of each micronutrient, and determine how these may occur.

 

Artifacts

Click on each apple for more…

 

Discussion-The Major Minerals and Bone Health

 

 

  Case Study-Mineral Toxicities/Deficiencies

 

Reflection

This was the prompt given to us: Describe one or two major takeaways from this course and share how it would impact you. How do you plan to apply the information to nutrition education as well as your own life? Are there any resources you would like to share with others? Are there concepts or topics that are unclear or you would like to explore further?

The study of the micronutrients has brought to my attention, just why eating a healthy, nutrient rich diet is so vital to overall health, well-being and a means to preventing chronic diseases later on in life.  Previously learning about the macronutrient’s lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, has allowed me to meld the two topics together to build a solid foundation of knowledge and resources, for which I can apply to my nutrition education toolbox.  Micronutrient recommendations, metabolism, digestion, absorption, transport along with the ability to identify the toxicity and deficiency of a micronutrient (and which foods are/are not impacting this) will afford me the opportunity to create diet plans that will be personalized to the client’s economic status, age, gender, ethnicity, geographic location and health history.

When working with clients of various backgrounds, I feel very confident being able to answer macronutrient and micronutrient-based questions with the resources I have received from the courses, the professors and my peers.  As I move forward with the course-work in the program, I know that I will only continue to build the resources in my nutrition toolbox, which will allow me to support my clients nutritionally and emotionally to change nutrition behaviors that could otherwise be life-threatening.

 Looking at my personal health and reflecting on how many of my family members have or had so many of the chronic diseases that we have been studying, has been eye-opening for me.  Nutrition and behaviors that contribute one’s specific diet (good or bad) could be changed with support, guidance and education.  The more one knows about a nutrient rich diet along with a balanced exercise routine, they will be able to make a conscious decision to better themselves and positively influence those around them to do the same.

I would love to know how some of you synthesize the information besides using the texts, articles or the lecture notes on digestion, absorption, transport and storage.  What resources, like info-graphics and videos, have you found to be helpful?  I have utilized the visual resources Professor Tepper added to the content during certain weeks, and I have utilized the Linus Pauling Institute website; they have great resources and I strongly encourage the use of the flash cards on the site for both micro and macro nutrients not only for yourself, but to create a quick and easy resource guide when working with clients to paint a clear picture of what the micro and macronutrients are, what they do, recommended daily allowances and how to increase or decrease the intake of certain foods to maintain homeostasis.