Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Medicines

Course aim

To develop an awareness of the role foods, functional foods, nutraceuticals and medicines have in preventing or treating diseases.

Course content

Identification and characterisation of bioactive components in food. Scientific studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of bioactives on biomarkers or physiological functions. Epidemiological studies that indicate that diets enriched in bioactive components can prevent diseases [bone and oral health, obesity, gut health, immune function and cancer] or enhance sports performance. Comparative studies on the effectiveness of functional foods, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals on lowering blood cholesterol levels, treating obesity, Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases. Prophylactic versus reactive treatment of disease with functional foods, nutraceuticals and drugs. Delivery of functional ingredients in enriched foods – issues of formulation, product development, encapsulation or slow release of protected components, consumer acceptance and perceptions of functional foods. History of functional foods and the potential for the future. Food and drug interactions in treatment of disease - mechanisms of action – components of specific foods that interact with medications; toxicological aspects of nutraceuticals or functional foods. Definition of regulatory requirements that relate to therapeutic claims for functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Examination, Introductory Project, Research assignment

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.