nutraMetrix Educational Institute TM

Session: Nutrition Principles for the Clinician

Objectives: At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Understand how poor dietary trends have lead to alarming prevalence rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other
  chronic diseases in the US.
• Learn the structure, role and importance of the macronutrients, micronutrients and minerals.
• Discover the significance of glycemic index/glycemic load for optimal nutrition.
• Know the types, role and therapeutic applications of dietary fiber.
• Review the composition and role of fats and oils.
• Recognize the impact, advantages and limitations to various food pyramids.
• Appreciate what constitutes the fundamentals of healthy eating.
• Recognize the role and responsibility of society for promoting good nutrition.
• Understand how to respond to the nutritional needs of our nation.
• Learn the challenges for modifying the nation's poor nutritional behaviors.

Session: Free Radicals, Oxidative Stress & Antioxidants in Health and Disease

Objectives: At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Understand the different types, sources and nature of oxidants or free radicals.
• Learn the role and impact of oxidant stress on health.
• Explain how oxidant stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, cancer, aging, retinopathy and other diseases.
• Know the biomarkers for evaluating oxidant stress.
• Learn the importance and functions of antioxidants.
• Know the various bioflavonoids, antioxidant vitamins and minerals.
• Appreciate the recent medical literature on the bioflavonoids including: in vitro studies, animal models and clinical trials.
• Know the principles and significance of the ORAC assay.
• Appreciate the natural food sources that are high in ORAC.

Session: Inflammation & Nutrition

Objectives: At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Appreciate the role of inflammation in chronic diseases such as: cardiovascular, asthma, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rhino-sinusitis.
• Know the key cell types, cytokines, eicosonoids and adhesion molecules involved in the inflammatory process
• Learn the importance of biomarkers in inflammation
• Understand the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid metabolic pathways
• Know the consequences of an overproduction of omega-6 with a concomitant underproduction of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Appreciate the AHA guidelines for the use of omega-3.
• Understand the role of Vitamins B-6, B-12 and folate in homocysteine metabolism.
• Know the importance of homocysteine in inflammation and cardiovascular disease.

Session: Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Principles of an Effective Weight Management System

Objectives: At the end of this session, you should be able to:

• Understand the importance, role and effects of insulin resistance in contributing to abnormal carbohydrate metabolism.
• Learn the pathways towards developing insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, Type II diabetes.
• Review the scope of the obesity epidemic and its impact on health.
• Understand the importance of low glycemic index foods for weight control and optimal health.
• Learn the essentials of an effective weight management system including: nutraceutical interventions, patient education and follow up.

Session: Nutritional Genomics, Nutrigenetics : Scientific Basis and Applications

Objectives: At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Know the principles of nutritional genomics.
• Understand the role and applications of nutrigenetic testing in practice.
• Explain the concept of genetic single nucleotide polymorphism (gene SNP) and provide some examples.
• Appreciate the scientific basis and clinical applications of nutrigenetic testing in: heart health, antioxidant/detoxification mechanisms, Vitamin B metabolism, bone health, inflammation and insulin sensitivity.
• Learn how to interpret and explain a nutrigenetic report to your patients.
• Appreciate the future of nutritional genomics and nutrigenetic testing.

Session: Nutraceutical Regimens- Part I & II

Objectives: At the end of these sessions, you should be able to:

• Recognize the need for appropriate nutritional supplementation - based on literature review, government surveys and guidelines.
• Know the fundamentals of nutrition supplementation and delivery.
• Learn what individual nutrients and nutrient regimens are needed for: optimal health, bone & joint health, immune health, anti-inflammation, digestive health, vision & cognitive health, female and male health, heart health.
• Describe the benefits and define the role for key nutrients including: glucosamine, omega-3 fish oils, calcium, bioflavonoids (i.e. lutein, lycopene, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, polyphenols), fat and water soluble vitamins, minerals, fiber and some common herbs.

Session: Nutraceutical Research: Challenges & Presentations

Objectives: At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Understand the differences between nutraceutical and pharmaceutical research.
• Appreciate the challenges specific to nutraceutical clinical research.
• Review original nutraceutical clinical research.

Session: Quality Control & Regulatory Issues in the Nutraceutical Industry

Objectives: At the end of this session you should be able to:

• Learn what quality control measures are important to evaluate nutritional supplements.
• Understand the regulatory issues of the supplemental industry such as DSHEA.
• Know the difference between a structure/function claim vs. a disease claim.
• Provide examples of structure/function claims for a particular supplement.
• Learn the essentials of risk management when using nutritional interventions.
• Know how to report adverse reactions for nutritional supplements.