Step 1 Content | Nutrition

General Nutrition

- Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) - Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) - Energy metabolism and caloric balance - Dietary guidelines and recommended daily allowances (RDAs) - Gut microbiome and nutrient absorption - Malnutrition assessment and biomarkers

- Protein-energy malnutrition (kwashiorkor, marasmus) - Vitamin deficiencies (A, B-complex, C, D, E, K) - Mineral deficiencies (iron, zinc, calcium, iodine, selenium) - Obesity and metabolic syndrome

Hematopoietic & Lymphoreticular

- Iron metabolism and erythropoiesis - Folate and vitamin B12 in red blood cell formation - Antioxidants and immune function

- Iron deficiency anemia - Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency) - Folate deficiency anemia - Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)

Central & Peripheral Nervous

- Role of B vitamins in neurotransmitter synthesis - Omega-3 fatty acids and brain health - Ketone metabolism and brain energy supply - Antioxidants and neuroprotection

- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (thiamine deficiency) - Pellagra (niacin deficiency) - Neural tube defects (folate deficiency) - Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease (oxidative stress)

Skin & Connective Tissue

- Vitamin C and collagen synthesis - Role of vitamin A in skin integrity - Zinc and wound healing - Essential fatty acids in skin function

- Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) - Hyperkeratosis (vitamin A deficiency) - Dermatitis (essential fatty acid or zinc deficiency) - Albinism (tyrosine metabolism defect)

Musculoskeletal

- Calcium, vitamin D, and bone mineralization - Protein intake and muscle maintenance - Role of magnesium in muscle function

- Rickets (vitamin D deficiency) - Osteomalacia/osteoporosis (calcium, vitamin D deficiency) - Muscle wasting (protein-energy malnutrition)

Respiratory

- Antioxidants and lung health (vitamins C, E) - Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation - Role of iron in oxygen transport

- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and malnutrition - Iron-deficiency anemia (impaired oxygen transport) - Vitamin A deficiency (increased risk of lung infections)

Cardiovascular

- Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health - Sodium and blood pressure regulation - Role of fiber in cholesterol metabolism - Homocysteine metabolism (B6, B12, folate)

- Hypertension (high sodium intake) - Hypercholesterolemia (low fiber, high saturated fat) - Atherosclerosis (omega-3, antioxidant imbalance) - Beriberi (thiamine deficiency)

Gastrointestinal

- Digestion and absorption of macronutrients - Gut microbiota and fiber metabolism - Vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor - Role of bile acids in fat digestion

- Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) - Lactose intolerance - Malabsorption syndromes (fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies) - Alcoholic liver disease (thiamine, folate deficiency)

Renal/Urinary

- Fluid and electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, chloride) - Acid-base homeostasis (bicarbonate) - Role of protein in kidney function

- Chronic kidney disease and protein metabolism - Electrolyte imbalances (hyper/hyponatremia, hyperkalemia) - Metabolic acidosis (impaired bicarbonate balance)

Reproductive

- Folate in fetal development - Role of zinc in spermatogenesis - Iron and pregnancy - Essential fatty acids in hormonal balance

- Neural tube defects (folate deficiency) - Infertility (zinc, vitamin E deficiency) - Gestational anemia (iron deficiency) - Low birth weight and malnutrition

Endocrine

- Insulin and glucose metabolism - Thyroid function and iodine metabolism - Role of vitamin D in hormone regulation - Calcium and parathyroid hormone

- Diabetes mellitus (obesity, metabolic dysfunction) - Hypothyroidism (iodine deficiency) - Rickets (vitamin D deficiency) - Hyperparathyroidism (calcium imbalance)