Clinical Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Disease

Given the natural association of diet with the gastrointestinal tract, it is surprising that nutrition has been a neglected area in the conventional medical management of inflammatory bowel disease and other GI-related disorders other than diabetes and obesity. Buckman (gastroenterology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern U., Chicago) introduces 53 chapters by international contributors showing that this situation is changing. Introductory chapters examine general nutritional issues including assessment, consequences of deficiencies, and the revised Dietary Reference Intakes standards. Others address nutritional support in relation to treating specific conditions/patient populations. Current topics of particular interest include the potential therapeutic roles of antioxidants and probiotics, bariatric surgery for obesity, and food and water supplies as potential terrorist targets. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)