This course explores the role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining cellular health through biochemical and physiological mechanisms. Topics provide an in-depth view of specific vitamins and minerals as well as effective ways to translate this information toward efforts for prevention of chronic disease. Students will also learn through hands-on projects that include the creation of a video case study about the symptoms of vitamin deficiencies or toxicities.

In this course, students will:

• Gain an in-depth understanding of micronutrient metabolism.
• Expand upon previous knowledge to allow for well-informed micronutrient recommendations.
• Learn the tools to interpret new micronutrient literature.
• 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.

Course objectives:

• Explain the mechanism of digestion and absorption for each micronutrient.
• Assess the primary roles of each micronutrient and their respective metabolic pathway.
• Recognize and describe deficiency and toxicity symptoms associated with each micronutrient.
• Recommend dietary changes to sufficiently meet micronutrient requirements.
• Critically evaluate research to inform micronutrient understanding.

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to vitamins and minerals: Water-soluble vitamins
• Water-soluble vitamins folate, B12, and B6
• Fat-soluble vitamins A and D
• Fat-soluble vitamins E and K
• Major minerals
• Water and electrolytes
• Essential trace and ultra-trace minerals
• Non-essential trace and ultra-trace minerals

Be a positive role model in your community. Click here to learn more about the online Master of Science in Nutrition Education or call 855-725-7614 to speak with an admissions adviser today.