Importance of Nutrients and Nutrient Metabolism on Human Health

Abstract

Nutrition transition, which includes a change from consumption of traditional to modern diets that feature high-energy density and low nutrient diversity, is associated with acquired metabolic syndromes. The human diet is comprised of diverse components which include both nutrients, supplying the raw materials that drive multiple metabolic processes in every cell of the body, and non-nutrients. These components and their metabolites can also regulate gene expression and cellular function via a variety of mechanisms. Some of these components are beneficial while others have toxic effects. Studies have found that persistent disturbance of nutrient metabolism and/or energy homeostasis, caused by either nutrient deficiency or excess, induces cellular stress leading to metabolic dysregulation and tissue damage, and eventually to development of acquired metabolic syndromes. It is now evident that metabolism is influenced by extrinsic factors (e.g., food, xenobiotics, environment), intrinsic factors (e.g., sex, age, gene variations) as well as host/microbiota interaction, that together modify the risk for developing various acquired metabolic diseases. It is also becoming apparent that intake of diets with low-energy density but high in nutrient diversity may be the key to promoting and maintaining optimal health.

Keywords: Cellular stress coping responses; Dietary patterns; Gene function; Metabolic syndromes; Metabolism; Nutrient diversity; Nutrition.

Figure 1

Factors that influence human health. A. Relationship of nutrient diversity (ND) and energy density (ED) in equivalent portion sizes, and their impact on cellular metabolism. B. Extrinsic factors (e.g., food, xenobiotics, environment), intrinsic factors (e.g., sex, gene variations, age), and host-microbiota interaction work together to modulate gene expression program, biological processes, and nutrient and energy metabolism.

Figure 2

Modern approaches used in the study of nutrition. Descriptive data obtained by Omics technologies from both human studies and animal models to guide mechanistic studies in in vitro and cell models. These approaches collectively provide information for the design of interventions for promoting optimal nutrition.