The discovery of vitamins in the early 1900s, their later chemical characterization and the clarification of pivotal metabolic functions are sequential aspects of a brilliant chapter in the history of modern nutritional sciences and medicine. The name, derived from “vital-amines”, indicates their elementary metabolic key functions in human metabolism. Vitamins are truly families of compounds, which include precursors and various free and bound forms, all with individual roles in metabolism and function. A more recent approach therefore searches for the components, the understanding of their roles in physiology and pathology as well as looking for novel pharmacological applications. When used properly, vitamins are, indeed, “magical” substances. Due to their efficacy, they should therefore be regarded as drugs with effects and side effects to be weighted against each other. Today, it is not the previously fatal deficiency-associated diseases that are in the focus of interest, but rather the relation of suboptimal vitamin bioavailability to chronic disease. This is complicated by genetic susceptibility, lifestyle, and the presence or absence of health-compromising habits, such as smoking. In turn, the development and application of new and more sensitive and specific assays further enable us to look more closely into the many functions of vitamins. Water soluble vitamins are complex molecular structures and even today, many areas in vitamin biochemistry are not yet fully understood. Novel effects and functions of vitamins remain and continue to be discovered. This book presents most recent research results and fascinating new knowledge on the role and effects of the water soluble vitamins in man. Some of the most distinguished chemists, biochemists, biologists and clinicians have contributed valuable chapters sharing unexpected novel insights into the biochemistry, (epi)genetics, metabolism, and function of water soluble vitamins, with their potential for clinical applications. Thus, physicians, clinicians, scientists, researchers, epidemiologists. nutritional specialists and health professionals alike will find stimulating and fascinating new insight in the many roles that water soluble vitamins play in human health and disease.

Diet and Health examines the many complex issues concerning diet and its role in increasing or decreasing the risk of chronic disease. It proposes dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of the major diseases and causes of death today: atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including heart attack and stroke), cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and dental caries.

...this is a valuable addition to the food analyst;s library. It brings together a well balanced account of the methods available an the literature cited will provide the analyst with all the details needed for setting up water-soluble vitamin assays and further reading to understand why these vitamins are important to those concerned with human nutrition. ' - International Journal of Food Science and Technology This book is of practical use as a tool and reference work of laboratory managers, senior analysts and laboratory technicians in food and vitamin manufactrurinf companies, for those in govenment and research institutes and for medical researchers, public analyst and nutritionist, It can also be recommended for a broad audience including lectures, students of natural sciences and food technologist. - lesbensm Wiss und Technol.'I recommend Water-soluble vitamins Assays in Human Nutrition not only to scientist in academia and industry and students in all food related fields as a valuable and easily used reference... it wll most likely be the first book I reach for when the inevitable question arises.April 1994Price: 115.00UK

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 childhood nutrition can be the bedrock of lifelong health. This AAP manual makes clear policies and procedures for the best nutrition for well children as well as those with metabolic abnormalities and serious illnesses.

New Research and Developments of Water-Soluble Vitamins, Volume 83, provides updated knowledge about nutrients in foods and how to avoid their deficiency, especially for those essential nutrients that should be present in the diet to reduce disease risk and optimize health. The book provides the latest advances on the identification and characterization of emerging bioactive compounds with putative health benefits. With up-to-date information on food science, including raw materials, production, processing, distribution and consumption, it is an ideal resource for nutritionists and researchers alike. Contains guidance from carefully selected researchers that is based on his/her long experience and high expertise on the subject matter Presents updated and in-depth critical discussions of available information, giving readers a unique opportunity to gain a broad view of the subject Provides high quality illustrations, with a high percentage in color, to enhance the content