Below are some examples of how nutrition is incorporated into the curriculum:
Pathology & Histology
Students explore how nutritional deficiencies and excesses manifest at the tissue and cellular levels.
- Histologic changes associated with malnutrition, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and vitamin/mineral deficiencies are examined.
- Case鈥慴ased discussions highlight how diet influences disease progression and tissue repair.
Immunology
Coursework emphasizes the relationship between nutrition and immune function, including the roles of micronutrients, antioxidants, and gut microbiota.
- Students learn how malnutrition, obesity, and specific dietary patterns modulate inflammatory pathways and immune responses.
Genetics
Nutrition is connected to gene expression through topics such as nutrigenomics and epigenetics.
- Students examine how diet influences genetic risk expression for conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
Microbiology
The curriculum highlights the role of diet in shaping the microbiome and its impact on infection risk, immunity, and chronic disease.
- Students learn how probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary patterns influence microbial balance and pathogen susceptibility.
Cellular Biology & Physiology
Foundational courses explore how macronutrients and micronutrients fuel cellular processes, metabolism, and homeostasis.
- Students study hormonal regulation of appetite, energy balance, and metabolic pathways, linking physiology to clinical nutrition.
Pharmacology
Nutrition is integrated into discussions of drug metabolism, nutrient鈥揹rug interactions, and the impact of diet on pharmacokinetics.
- Students learn how certain medications affect nutrient absorption or requirements, and how nutrition can enhance or hinder therapeutic outcomes.
Biochemistry
Biochemical pathways of metabolism, digestion, and nutrient utilization are core components of the course.
- Students connect biochemical principles to clinical conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome.
PPC/OMM (Principles of Primary Care & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine)
Nutrition counseling skills are introduced early, emphasizing patient communication, motivational interviewing, and lifestyle鈥慴ased care.
- OMM courses highlight how nutrition interacts with musculoskeletal health, inflammation, and recovery.
- Students practice integrating nutrition recommendations into holistic treatment plans.
Preventive Medicine & Public Health
Students learn how nutrition influences population health, chronic disease prevention, and health disparities.
- Coursework includes dietary guidelines, community nutrition, and evidence鈥慴ased lifestyle interventions.
- Emphasis is placed on the physician鈥檚 role in promoting healthy behaviors at both individual and community levels.
Clinical Medicine
Students routinely assess dietary habits and provide tailored nutrition guidance.
- Students learn to manage conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and cardiovascular disease through nutrition鈥慶entered care.
- Students learn about perioperative nutrition, wound healing, and the role of protein and micronutrients in recovery.
- Nutrition is discussed in the context of dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and acute metabolic crises.
- Students explore the relationship between diet, mental health, and neurochemistry.
- Nutrition is applied to performance, injury prevention, and musculoskeletal health.
A Holistic, Osteopathic Approach to Nutrition
暴风影音鈥檚 osteopathic philosophy emphasizes treating the whole person鈥攂ody, mind, and spirit. Nutrition is a natural extension of this philosophy. By integrating nutrition across basic sciences, clinical skills, and patient care experiences, 暴风影音 ensures its graduates are prepared to:
Understand the biochemical and physiological foundations of nutrition
- Recognize nutrition鈥憆elated pathology
- Counsel patients effectively and compassionately
- Apply evidence鈥慴ased nutrition strategies in clinical practice
- Promote long鈥憈erm health and disease prevention
This comprehensive approach equips future physicians with the tools they need to address one of the most powerful determinants of health: what patients eat.