Contemporary Topics in Nutrition

About the Book Ten topics in contemporary nutrition being elaborated upon here in this volume include revelations on nutrition health linkages, shedding limelight on nutrient and therapeutic aspects of overlooked foodstuffs, the ever apparent yet insufficiently focused vulnerabilities of women and children, the curative streaks in humble tomato and green tea and, above all, beans as an ambrosia of taste and wellness sans astringent flavor and airy - flatulent belly are expected to carry content and conviction with the prospective readers. Besides, 'nutrition trends that prevail in India', 'eating disorders that nibble into health and wellness', 'eating right to get the best from the food that is available' and the 'GM foods as the harbingers of hope and clouds of apprehension' also make an enhancing reading.

A judicious blend of pieces on important aspects of community nutrition with the ones on untouched nutritional and therapeutic facets of some overlooked plant based foods is the hallmark of this collection The input Nutrition can make in constituting a healthy and worthy life by paving the way for being in a state of complete, physical, mental and social well being is unquestioned. The state or the civilized society owes its people the right to adequate food, potable water, health care and harmonies environment in an inclusive manner.

However, evincing interest in information on nutrition, its implications and application should not be a matter only left to the experts. Enlightened public must become aware of nutrition-health connectivity and interrelationship to become part of the campaign for nourishment and health for all as the millennium development goal. Keeping this end in view the present volume is being brought forth shedding light on certain contemporary aspects of nutrition in a bid to develop a perspective of nutrition in readers' mind.

The ever expanding frontiers of nutrition making inroads into various aspects of human health call for dissemination of information to the receptive masses.

This is knowledge era and this is also an era of the resurrection of Asia. If knowledge can be a road to power and affluence, it can well be a gateway to adequate nourishment and health. As body is the basis of all achievements, it can also be an important index of development. By that reckoning, contemporary topics in nutrition can become a small recipe to reach for development, provided the readership imbibe, reflect and act.

About the Author Born in the picturesque Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh and groomed in the academic environs of Pan jab University Campus at Chandigarh, Dr. Sheel Sharma obtained his B.5 (Honors) Biochemistry and M.5c (Honors) Biochemistry degrees and later Ph.D. degree in nutrition from the same university, his alma mater. A first division holder throughout his academic career, a University Medalist in M.Sc (Honors) Biochemistry, a University teacher of more than twenty years standing and a winner of best research presentation award (Nutrition) in the years 2000- Millennium Science Congress held in New Delhi, Dr. Sheel Sharma has scores of research papers, several projects and four widely acclaimed books to his name.

Dr. Sheel Sharma is currently a professor in Food Science and Nutrition in Banasthali University. He had a total experience of 27 years in teaching. The major research area of his interest include food analysis, food product development, Community nutrition and biochemical assessment of nutrition status. Dr. Sheel Sharma is a life member of many scientific associations and academic bodies like Association of Food Scientists and technologist (AFST), Nutrition Society of India (NSI), Society of Biological Chemists (SBC), Indian Association for Social sciences and Health and Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS). He is a member of state Technical Resource Group on Nutrition and Health, Department of Women and Child development and a member of Recipe Committee on Mid day meal, Government of Rajasthan. Dr. Sheel Sharma has 86 research publications in various journals and has authored 5 books.

Foe the present he is stewarding the PG. Department of Food Science and Nutrition at Banasthali University, a national centre for women education. Besides, Dr. Sheel Sharma has a penchant for science popularization through popular writing and community awareness programmes related to Nutrition, Health and Environment. His sensitivity towards issues like, woman-child health and nutrition women empowerment and nourishment levels of Indian masses has made him undertake several projects in community nutrition. In pursuit of this, he has been associated with many organizations such as UNICEF, BPNI and UGC. He has a firm conviction that unless Science makes a reach outdo the people, both in terms of awareness and application or utility, the state of lesser mortals, the underprivileged masses. is hard to take a turn for the better.

Foreword Albert Einstein, an all time scientist and genius, likened life to a bicycle and always favored its dynamism Just as a bicycle stumbles when it stops. so does life when it becomes devoid of onward march, said the progenitor of the 'theory of relativity'. My friend and fellow nutritionist, Prof. Sheel Sharma's journey as an author and researcher speaks of a steady pace without any breaks. This is his sixth title and the seventh; I have been old, getting in to the final act. A person 0/ nutrition and for nutrition, Prof. Sharma has chosen each one of the articles of this volume in keeping with its topical nature. Besides, he has judiciously blended pieces on important aspects of community nutrition with the ones on untouched nutritional and therapeutic facets of some overlooked plant based foods.

I am confident that the book would prove its worth among its prospective readers. I shall also hail Prof Sharma adding more titles to his name in future with each having a definite focus and philosophy. I cannot imagine a better way of entering the year 2010 than reaffirming your credentials as an author of substance.

Preface Ten topics in contemporary nutrition being elaborated upon here in this volume are just a tip of the iceberg of the vast field of nutrition, a scientific discipline having a bearing on the nourishment, health and longevity of people.

However, to reflect and act on a tip or a part thereof is certainly better than to ponder and postpone in quest of sizeable, for a bird in hand is definitely better than a score in the bush. The revelations on nutrition health linkages, shedding limelight on nutrient and therapeutic aspects of overlooked foodstuffs, the ever apparent yet insufficiently focused vulnerabilities of women and children, the curative streaks in humble tomato and green tea and, above all, beans as an ambrosia of taste 'and wellness sans astringent flavor and airy -flatulent belly, could carry content and conviction with the prospective readers. Besides, 'nutrition trends that prevail in India', 'eating disorders that nibble into health and wellness', 'eating right to get the best from the food that is available' and the 'GM foods as the harbingers of hope and clouds of apprehension' have also been touched upon.

Being a part of academic fraternity for more than two decades at Banasthali University, an acclaimed university that has carved a niche for itself in the area of women education, has also gone to shore up my sensitivities on mother - child nutrition and health issues which get echoed in some of the articles in the present work. I am deeply enamored by the views of Shivmangal Singh 'Suman', an all time literary colossus and gem of a human being, whose views / wish to underscore as a scintillating jinale to this preface.

The poet calls upon all those who are enlightened and enabled for making the march of the downtrodden from 'margins to the mainstream' possible, in the following heart rending verse:

"Visha» ayapak vedana koi kahani hi nahin he Ek jalta satya kewal aankh ka pani nahin he Chahta hun dhwast kar dena vishamata ki kahani Ho sulabh sab ko dhara par, vastra, bhojan ann pani lsliye mein aaj, yug ki aag, apni rag me bhar Geet anupam gaa raha hoo. "

The pain which pervades the whole world is not merely a story. This simmering truth is not worth a tearful eye only I long deeply for destroying this saga of disparity by making home and hearth available to everyone on this earth. That s why my voice carries the anguish of the age to sing this unique song.

While internalizing the essence of Suman's lines, I am also reminded of another legendary thinker, Bertrand Russel, who in his autobiography referred philosophically to the following four most fancied values in human life as the core constituents of a worthy life:

Liberation from poverty and hunger

Freedom from ill-health

Forging sound relationship with the members of the family

Drawing satisfaction in the chosen field of work

The input Nutrition can make in constituting a healthy and worthy life by paving the way for being in a state of complete, physical, mental and social well being is unquestioned. Thus state or the civilized society owes its people the right to adequate food, potable water, health care and harmonies environment in an inclusive manner. Let us all imbibe Shivmangal Singh Suman's anguish and concern for the downtrodden to learn and do nutrition in a way that it reaches those who need it.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages