Acknowledgments The authors are most grateful to previous edition contributors to this chapter, including Paul S. Thornton, whose leadership and input on the chapter’s themes and data (particularly within the tables) were invaluable. Introduction The metabolism of ketone bodies is…
Acknowledgments The authors thank Dr. Peter Dodds for editing and linguistic revision of the manuscript. Preparation of this chapter was carried out in part with grants from the Universidad San Pablo—CEU, the Fundación Ramón Areces (CIVP16A1835) of Spain, and the…
Introduction Mammals such as humans are exposed to their greatest temperature-related shock at birth. Coming from a protected and thermoneutral environment, the newborn infant is suddenly exposed to “cool” surroundings, where survival depends on self-generation of sufficient heat to keep…
Acknowledgments The authors thank pp-science-editing.com for editing and linguistic revision of the manuscript. Preparation of this chapter was carried out in part with grants from the Universidad CEU—San Pablo, and the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2015-70747-R) of Spain. CIBEROBN…
Introduction In his classic studies in the 1930s, Henrik Dam identified vitamin K as an essential fat-soluble antihemorrhagic factor. Later studies pinpointed the bleeding disorder caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamin K to a lack of four coagulation proteins,…
Introduction Vitamin E, a micronutrient with antioxidant functions, has important actions in both intrauterine and postnatal life. Even in pregnant women with adequate vitamin stores, it seems that there is a transplacental barrier that limits its transfer to the fetus.…
Introduction Vitamin A (retinol) is an essential nutrient for all vertebrates. It was discovered in 1913 as an ether-soluble fraction present in certain fats and tissues, such as butter and egg yolk, that young rats required for growth and survival.…
Introduction In a remarkably short time, the general perception of zinc has progressed from that of a rather obscure essential trace mineral of doubtful significance for human health to that of a micronutrient of exceptional biologic and public health importance.…
Introduction Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are essential minerals that function in their physiologically active ionic forms in a wide range of cellular processes, and as key components of the bone mineral matrix. In utero, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are readily…
Acknowledgments Preparation of this chapter was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NICHD) and the Scottish Government (Rural and Environmental Scientific and Analytical services, RESAS). Introduction Iron is the fourth most abundant element and constitutes approximately 0.0075%…