Nutrients - The Fundamentals

Nutrients - The Fundamentals is a text-based Alison course from Proactive Learning that treats nutrition as physiology first. Its two content modules run in a logical order. Digestion and the Macronutrients introduces the field, explains mechanical and chemical digestion and the processes of absorption and utilisation along the gastrointestinal tract, and then covers protein, carbohydrates and fats in detail: their structure, characteristics, functions and important food sources. Micronutrients and Nutrient Interactions turns to vitamins and minerals, dietary fibre and water, the factors that affect how well each is absorbed, and how nutrients work together to supply energy, support energy metabolism, build soft and hard tissue, produce blood and regulate vital body processes, ending with the case for a balanced diet. A course assessment follows.

Alison rates the course Beginner Level, lists an average duration of 3 to 4 hours and marks it CPD-accredited; it is offered in English only and is self-paced. Studying is free. The optional Alison Certificate is paid, in digital or printed form, and a free Learner Record is available on completion. Compared with Alison's Introduction to Food and Nutrition, this course spends less time on diets and labels and more on what nutrients actually do inside the body.