"The text can be used to teach a complete course in nutrition or as a desk reference for practitioners. The student using this book needs no previous grounding in anatomy, physiology, or medical terminology. Subjects are fully supported by diagrams, illustrations, figures, and tables. Depending on the curriculum, chapters may be omitted or presented in a different sequence. We recognize that this text contains an immense amount of data and information. It is our hope that this rich store of information permits instructors to adapt the text to the objectives of their courses while serving as a reference and directory for students, satisfying their curiosities or completing solo or group projects whether in preclinical or in clinical courses"--