Nutritional Toxicologic Pathology

Food is vital for the health and well-being of a human, wild, domestic, or laboratory animal. The combination of various foods consumed by an animal, i.e., diet, is equally important. Not only must the appropriate combination of essential nutrients in the appropriate concentrations be present but the source of energy (i.e., calories) must come from the appropriate sources to provide a balanced diet for optimal growth, health, and reproduction. Too much of a particular dietary component can be just as harmful to overall well-being as too little or inappropriate ratios. Further complicating this is the fact that most nutrients themselves are potentially toxic when consumed in excess. Deficiencies of some of these same nutrients may also result in effects that resemble toxicosis or may enhance the toxic potential of other nutrients or chemicals in the diet. This chapter is an overview of current issues related to excess and deficient caloric intake in general (i.e., obesity, starvation, and the associated consequences) as well as an overview that explores the toxicological and pathological aspects of both deficiency and excess of specific nutrients—macronutrients (e.g., specific amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids), micronutrients (e.g., vitamins), and minerals (macrominerals and trace elements).