| Nutrition is essential for survival; it underpins health and affects susceptibility to disease. Specific nutritional deficiencies arise as a result of particular dietary deficiencies, or are caused by genetically determined metabolic errors.
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| The major factors which determine the nutritional state are the genetic background, the environment, the phase of the life cycle, the physical activity and the presence of disease (Fig. 21.1).
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| Importantly, nutrition relates to many other issues discussed in this book. Thus, this chapter covers the elements of nutrition science and focuses on macronutrients; Chapter 10 addresses micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements); Chapter 22 deals with water and main electrolytes, and Chapters 4 and 23 with oxygen delivery and acid base balance, respectively.
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