Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition, Essay Example

Introduction

The books Clinical Nutrition: A Functional Approach by Liska, Quinn, Lukaczer, Jones, & Lerman (2004) and Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition (Rolfes, Pinna, & Whitney, 2011) represent different perspectives regarding human nutrition and the manner in which nutrition is observed as critical to survival and growth. Each book is unique in that it utilizes a different strategy to convey the information to the reader. Even though the information is often very technical in nature, it is represented differently by the authors in order to convey a specific message to the reading audience, who is likely to be primarily comprised of students taking a nutrition or biology course. Therefore, the material is somewhat challenging to read and understand due to its biological components, yet it provides important information regarding nutrition and the processes that take place within the human body. The following discussion will address these different perspectives in greater detail and critically evaluate each author’s approach and perspective to the same subject matter of carbohydrates. In addition, the discussion will evaluate the perspective that is most relevant in achieving the intended purpose to educate students regarding nutritional topics.

Body

The text by Liska et.al (2004) introduces carbohydrates by providing a brief description of their role as compounds and their contribution to a variety of bodily functions. The discussion of the classes of carbohydrates, such as monosaccharides and disaccharides, is interesting because it expands upon one’s understanding of carbohydrates as a term that is often used generally and loosely. In addition, I found it interesting that carbohydrates often have a bad reputation in many Western nations, although many types of carbohydrates are vital to promote optimal health (Liska et.al, 2004). However, the text by Rolfes et.al (2011) introduces carbohydrates as a primary form of human energy for active use and as storage for use at a later date, but the text also addresses the negative reputation of carbohydrates, particularly as they relate to sweet foods, such as candy. I find Rolfe’s breakdown of carbohydrates into their molecular structures more appealing because it conveys the importance of each type of carbohydrate as having a different molecular makeup and function. In addition, this text describes the bonds between carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, all of which combine in different ways to create different types of carbohydrates (Rolfe et.al, 2011). In Liska’s book, the authors do break down the different classes of carbohydrates, such as fructose, high fructose corn syrup, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, resistant starches, and dietary fiber, but it is less specific and not as understandable in this text.

The text by Liska et.al (2004) addresses the role of carbohydrates in metabolism in the context of type 1 and 2 diabetes, along with their complications. In addition, this text also focuses on the glycemic index and a food’s glycemic load in order to gauge the glycemic response of a food and its impact on blood glucose metabolism (Liska et.al, 2004). On the other hand, Rolfe et.al (2011) address carbohydrates in metabolism through glucose processing for energy and also considers the role of the body in managing blood glucose reserves for energy and for later use. The explanation by Rolfes et.al (2011) is more substantial and describes the role of blood glucose metabolism and the risk of diabetes very well, in addition to a discussion of obesity and the glycemic response. This discussion is more effective as opposed to the Liska et.al text because it frames blood glucose metabolism and its interdependency with body functioning more effectively and cohesively.

Both discussions address the role of dietary fiber in the human diet and how it impacts human health. The Liska et.al text (2004) considers how dietary fiber impacts human function and its role in tolerability, solubility, and fluid intake in order to determine how it impacts side effects such as constipation and diarrhea. The Rolfes et.al text (2011) also considers the role of dietary fiber in GI functionality, but also expands upon this role to include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and weight management. The latter text makes better use of the discussion of dietary fiber and provides a more comprehensive approach to understanding its impact on human health and disease. In addition, I find it interesting that the latter text offers a discussion of excessive fiber intake and how other dietary needs may not be met when consuming a highly plant-based (i.e. vegan) diet, thereby contributing to a risk of malnutrition and other complications (Rolfes et.al, 2011).

Conclusion

Both books that have been evaluated address carbohydrates in very different ways and consider the impact of carbohydrates on different platforms. As a result, the books convey their ideas differently, and although both books provide interesting information regarding carbohydrates, I believe that the Rolfes, Pinna, & Whitney book offers a more unique and engaging approach than the other book. These authors express some of the current trends in health and how they impact human nutrition, and how carbohydrates play an important role in shaping how human nutrition is evaluated.  Based upon these observations, I believe that the book by Rolfes et.al was a far more interesting read. Nonetheless, both books support a student’s overall understanding of carbohydrates and how they contribute to the process of human nutrition, albeit in very different ways. From a technical point of view, the Liska et.al text (2004) may capture a better technical approach to carbohydrates, but the Rolfes et.al text (2011) offers a more practical understanding of the subject and how carbohydrates impact bodily functioning in many ways.

References

Liska, D., Quinn, S., Lukaczer, D., Jones, D.S., & Lerman, R.H. (2004). Clinical Nutrition: A Functional Approach. Gig Harbor: The Institute for Functional Medicine.

Rolfes, S.R., Pinna, K., & Whitney, E. (2011). Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. Stamford: Cengage Learning.