DETROIT - Vishwanath Sardesai, Ph.D., professor of surgery in Wayne State University's School of Medicine, has published the third edition of his book "Introduction to Clinical Nutrition."

Published by CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, the 32-chapter book covers the role of nutrition in epigenetics and telomere length - the DNA fragments protecting the ends of chromosomes from deterioration - as well as personalized nutrition and personalized medicine. The book, Sardesai said, is designed to serve as a textbook and reference source in clinical nutrition for medical students, students in osteopathic medicine and dentistry, and practitioners in the fields of medicine, dentistry nutrition, dietetics, nursing, pharmacy and public health. 

"The ultimate focus of this edition is to generate interest and enthusiasm in clinical nutrition among students and practitioners in an age that recognizes the growing need for prevention," Sardesai said. "Nutrition is a vitally important component for both individual health and, therefore, community well-being."

While dietary factors have been cited in heart disease, cancer and diabetes - three of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States - physicians may receive inadequate nutrition training to advise their patients, he said.

The third edition of "Introduction to Clinical Nutrition" explores the relationships of nutrients and their roles in health and disease prevention. It also includes the latest information on fiber; antioxidants; nutraceuticals; alternative medicine; gene-nutrient interaction; nutritional aspects of kidney disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome; personalized nutrition and medicine; and obesity and cholesterol.

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit http://www.research.wayne.edu/.