Simply close this browser window to return to the Research Library Home page. Smell For Regulation Of Nutrient IntakeNutrients important in human nutrition may be classified into three broad categories: water soluble elements, fat soluble elements, and water itself. Except for linoleic and linolenic acids, fats and cholesterol need not be considered in this scheme as they can be manufactured internally. The sense of smell may function as the primary component for regulating the intake of fat soluble nutrients. To chemically stimulate the olfactory cell, an element must be volatile, slightly water soluble, and definitely fat soluble. Even though human olfactory receptors are some of the least sensitive in the animal kingdom, they still identify a billionth of an ounce of a chemical floating in the air. The sense of smell may function as an early detection system for fat soluble nutrients about to enter the systemic circulation. As one chews, tastes, and swallows food, molecules of nutrients can waft up the nasopharynx and stimulate the receptors of the olfactory nerve, sending signals to the brain with regards to the nature and concentration of different chemicals passing down the throat. The importance of this in regulation of nutrient intake becomes obvious when one considers the fact that most of what one perceives as the flavor of a food is actually secondary to the stimulation of olfactory receptors. The influence of sensory signals on the regulation of nutrient intake may begin even before starting consumption with a determination as to whether the food nearby is to be savored or avoided. It is a common finding that a person in a state of hunger experiences a sudden intensification of hunger and craving after smelling a familiar food. This may represent the addition of the body's need for specific nutrients. The finding that a person who has previously experienced unpleasant symptoms after eating a specific food may feel nauseated by even the smell of the same food a second time shows how the sense of smell can help one to avoid a potentially harmful substance. A criticism of this methodology may be its simplicity in view of the complex human intake behavior expressed in response to psychological, ethnic, social, and conditioned factors. However, the feeding behavior of newborns, with their limited experience with foods and conditioning cues, has to be governed by a depletion model regulatory system. In other words, an underlying physiological mechanism in which depletion of nutrients triggers signals that can induce the sensation of hunger and initiate a meal may be present in every person. This methodology suggests that chemosensory input during ingestive activity may be sufficient to regulate nutrient intake provided the brain is in a receptive state having already received signals of depletion from the appropriate sensors. Since sensory recognition is based on chemical structure, the same mechanism can be used for day-to-day regulation of intake of all physiologically relevant nutrients. Click here to go to our Home page! No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Electrolyte, LLC. Electrolyte, LLC may have patents or pending patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Electrolyte, LLC.
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