This course is an inspirational, practical, hands-on guide to understanding the science of nutrition and how what we eat and drink affects our bodies and our lives. The course begins with a revealing study of why we eat what we do and how we gather information about nutrition. It then moves into an in-depth look at the digestive track and a detailed review of the essential building blocks of diet and nutrition and their critical roles in a healthy diet. Other topics covered include the dietary links to major chronic diseases and disorders; the pros and cons of sugar substitutes and fat replacers; organic and conventional foods; herbal therapies; the importance of food safety; reading food labels; and new advancements in the science of nutrition.

Course No. 1950. 36 lectures (30 minutes each) Course guidebook includes professor biography, course scope, lecture guides, glossary, bibliography, and list of credible nutrition websites.

Part 1: Disc 1. Lecture 1. Why we eat what we do ; Lecture 2. Sources of nutrition fact and fiction ; Lecture 3. Our underappreciated digestive tract ; Lecture 4. It's all about the calories! ; Lecture 5. Hydration: you are what you drink ; Lecture 6. Not all carbohydrates are created equal -- Disc 2. Lecture 7. Facts on fiber ; Lecture 8. Protein: an indispensable nutrient ; Lecture 9. Fat, fat everywhere! ; Lecture 10. Vitamins: spotlight on C ; Lecture 11. Vitamins A and K: multitaskers ; Lecture 12. Vitamin E: fallen hero; Vitamin D: rising star -- Part 2: Disc 3. Lecture 13. B vitamin basics ; Lecture 14. The major minerals ; Lecture 15. The highs and lows of sodium and potassium ; Lecture 16. Iron, zinc, selenium: balance is everything ; Lecture 17. Cardiovascular disease: what are the risks? ; Lecture 18. A heart-healthy lifestyle -- Disc 4. Lecture 19. The DASH diet: a lifesaver ; Lecture 20. Obesity: public health enemy number one ; Lecture 21. Healthy weight management ; Lecture 22. Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes ; Lecture 23. Dietary approaches to weight management -- Lecture 24. Nutrition and cancer prevention -- Part 3: Disc 5. Lecture 25. Nutrition and digestive health ; Lecture 26. Prebiotics and probiotics in your diet ; Lecture 27. Food safety: it's in your hands ; Lecture 28. Demystifying food labels ; Lecture 29. Facts on functional foods ; Lecture 30. A look at herbal therapy -- Disc 4. Lecture 31. Organic or conventional: your choice ; Lecture 32. Fake or real: sugars and fats ; Lecture 33. Creating your own personal nutrition plan ; Lecture 34. Exercise and nutrition: partners for life ; Lecture 35. The future of nutrition: science and trends ; Lecture 36. Nutrition facts and FAQs.