UNDERSTANDING NORMAL AND CLINICAL NUTRITION, Ninth Edition, provides the most current and comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals of nutrition and nutrition therapy for an introductory course. The early chapters focus on "normal" nutrition, including digestion and metabolism, vitamins and minerals, and life cycle nutrition. The later chapters cover "clinical" nutrition--the pathophysiology and nutrition therapy for a wide range of medical conditions. The text integrates practical information and valuable resources to help students apply nutrition knowledge and skills to their daily lives and the clinical setting. Features, such as case studies, "How To" boxes with real-world examples, and study cards, help students apply the material and build their conceptual understanding. Regardless of the students' background, the consistent level, approachable narrative, and careful explanations in UNDERSTANDING NORMAL AND CLINICAL NUTRITION will engage students and enable them to be actively involved in the field of nutrition.