Diploma in Human Nutrition
Learn about making good food choices, how to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and avoiding diet-related illnesses such as Type II diabetes and obesity.
Description
The Diploma in Human Nutrition is a comprehensive introduction to the important role nutrition and diet play in maintaining health. With the huge rise in diet related illnesses such as obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease we face important choices in terms of diet and nutrition on a daily basis. It is also important to understand the role nutrition plays in growth and development throughout our lives.
This free online Diploma course provides an in-depth look into the three energy-yielding macronutrients - carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Our bodies require us to consume these macronutrients on a daily basis to maintain numerous bodily functions such as growth and providing energy to carry out activities. Humans use plants and animals as food sources but, in order to obtain the energy we require from them, our food must be broken down into smaller molecules that the body can process. This course provides a clear introduction to the human digestive system. The course also provides a comprehensive look into the life sustaining chemical processes that occur in living cells from a macronutrient perspective. These life sustaining chemical processes that occur in our cells are essential for our bodies to grow, maintain their structures and respond to their environments.
Micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium help prevent and delay various types of cell damage that may occur in the body so foods containing them are beneficial for our health. This course will provide an overview of micronutrients and antioxidants and an insight into their absorption, metabolism and excretion as well as the effects of their deficiency and toxicity on human health.
This Diploma course will be of great interest to all learners and healthcare professionals who would like to learn more about human nutrition and the roles macronutrients and micronutrients play in maintaining health.
Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Human Nutrition
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Introduction to Human Nutrition - Learning Outcomes
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The Basics of Human Nutrition
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Calories and Food Energy
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Phytochemicals, Zoochemicals and Functional Foods
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Lesson Summary
Module 2: Nutrition and Science Research
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Nutrition and Science Research - Learning Outcomes
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Epidemiology
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In Vitro and Animal Studies
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Clinical Trials
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Nutrition Research Statistics and Publishing
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Lesson Summary
Module 3: Diploma in Human Nutrition - First Assessment
Module 4: Introduction to the Human Digestive System
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Human Digestive System - Learning Outcomes
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Introduction to the Human Digestive System
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The Energy Cycle
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Food
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Vitamins
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Ingestion
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Swallowing
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Temporary Storage
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Human Digestive System - Summary
Module 5: Digestion, Absorption, Elimination and Protection
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Digestion, Absorption, Elimination and Protection - Learning Outcomes
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Digestion
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Absorption
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Elimination
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The Reticuloendothelial System
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The Mammary Gland
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Digestion, Absorption, Elimination and Protection - Lesson Summary
Module 6: Diploma in Human Nutrition - Second Assessment
Module 7: Introduction to Carbohydrates
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Carbohydrates - Learning Outcomes
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Introduction to Carbohydrates
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Simple Carbohydrates
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Alternative Sweeteners
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Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides
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Lesson Summary
Module 8: Introduction to Proteins
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Proteins - Learning Outcomes
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Amino Acids
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Protein Synthesis, Structure and Functions
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Protein Quality and Protein-Energy Malnutrition
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Lesson Summary
Module 9: Introduction to Lipids
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Lipids - Learning Outcomes
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Lipids and Fatty Acids
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Fatty Acid Naming and Food Sources
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Essential Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids
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Phospholipids and Triglycerides
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Sterols
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Lesson Summary
Module 10: Diploma in Human Nutrition - Third Assessment
Module 11: Introduction to Macronutrient Metabolism
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Introduction to Macronutrient Metabolism - Learning Outcomes
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Metabolism Basics
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Cofactors
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Lesson Summary
Module 12: Carbohydrate Metabolism Pathways
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Carbohydrate Metabolism Pathways - Learning Outcomes
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Monosaccharide Metabolism
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Glycogenesis and Glycogenolysis
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Glycolysis
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Transition Reaction
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The Citric Acid Cycle
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Electron Transport Chain
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Aerobic Glucose Metabolism Totals and Anaerobic Respiration
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Lesson Summary
Module 13: Lipid Metabolism Pathways
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Lipid Metabolism Pathways - Learning Outcomes
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Lipolysis
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Fatty Acid Oxidation
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Fatty Acid Synthesis, Ketone Body Synthesis and Cholesterol Synthesis
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Lesson Summary
Module 14: Protein Metabolism Pathways
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Protein Metabolism - Learning Outcomes
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Transamination and Deamination
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Gluconeogenesis
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Protein Turnover/Degradation
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Lesson Summary
Module 15: Diploma in Human Nutrition - Fourth Assessment
Module 16: Introduction to Vitamins and Minerals
Module 17: Antioxidants
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Antioxidants - Learning Outcomes
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Introduction to Anitoxidants
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Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress
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What is an Antioxidant?
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Meaningful Antioxidants
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Too Much Antioxidants A Good Thing?
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Lesson Summary
Module 18: Vitamin E
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Vitamin E - Learning Outcomes
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Introduction to Vitamin E
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Alpha-Tocopherol - Natural vs. Synthetic
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Vitamin E Absorption, Metabolism and Excretion
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Dietary Vitamin E and Amounts Found in Body
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Vitamin E Deficiency and Toxicity
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Vitamin E DRI & IUs
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Lesson Summary
Module 19: Vitamin C
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Vitamin C - Learning Outcomes
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Introduction to Vitamin C
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Vitamin C Absorption and Tissue Accumulation
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Enzymatic Functions
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Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)
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Vitamin C Toxicity, Linus Pauling and the Common Cold
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Lesson Summary
Module 20: Selenium
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Selenium - Learning Outcomes
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Selenium
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Selenoproteins
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Selenium Absorption, Excretion and Toxicity
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Lesson Summary
Module 21: Diploma in Human Nutrition - Fifth Assessment
Module 22: Diploma in Human Nutrition - Final Assessment
Learning Outcomes
Having completed this course the leaner will be able to: - Discuss the various nutrients that provide the essential components for our bodies; - Summarize how food energy is measured; - Outline non-nutritive components that provide additional health benefits; - Explain the various forms of nutrition research; - Discuss how nutrition research results are analyzed, published and interpreted; - Outline the common progression of research; - Describe the structure of the human digestive system; - Explain the functions of the human digestive system; - Discuss in detail the various groups of carbohydrates including simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates and alternative sweeteners; - Outline three main types of amino acids; - Describe the process of protein synthesis, the levels of protein structure and the various protein functions; - Discuss the roles fatty acids play as well as the eicosanoid compounds derived from fatty acids; - Describe the structure of phospholipids and triglycerides, and their functions; - Discuss the structure and function of the primary sterol, cholesterol; - Discuss the basics of metabolism and cofactors required by enzymes; - Explain the various carbohydrate pathways including glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, transition reaction, citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain; - Discuss the lipid metabolism pathways, lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid synthesis and ketone body synthesis; - Outline the various protein metabolism pathways, transamination, deamination, gluconeogenesis and protein degradation; - List and describe various vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium; - Describe the absorption, metabolism and excretion processes for vitamins and minerals; - Describe the structure and functions of antioxidants; - Describe how antioxidants they can prevent cell damage;
Certification
All Alison courses are free to enrol, study and complete. To successfully complete this Diploma course and become an Alison Graduate, you need to achieve 80% or higher in each course assessment. Once you have completed this Diploma course, you have the option to acquire an official Diploma, which is a great way to share your achievement with the world. Your Alison Diploma is:
Ideal for sharing with potential employers - include it in your CV, professional social media profiles and job applications
An indication of your commitment to continuously learn, upskill and achieve high results
An incentive for you to continue empowering yourself through lifelong learning
Alison offers 3 types of Diplomas for completed Diploma courses:
Digital Diploma - a downloadable Diploma in PDF format, immediately available to you when you complete your purchase
Diploma - a physical version of your officially branded and security-marked Diploma, posted to you with FREE shipping
Framed Diploma - a physical version of your officially branded and security-marked Diploma in a stylish frame, posted to you with FREE shipping
All Diplomas are available to purchase through the Alison Shop. For more information on purchasing Alison Diplomas, please visit our FAQs. If you decide not to purchase your Alison Diploma, you can still demonstrate your achievement by sharing your Learner Record or Learner Achievement Verification, both of which are accessible from your Dashboard. For more details on our Diploma pricing, please visit our Pricing Page.
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