What Are the Cellular Mechanisms Behind Nutritional Imbalances?
Nutritional imbalances affect cellular mechanisms at multiple levels: - Altered Gene Expression: Deficiencies or excesses of certain nutrients can modulate the expression of genes involved in cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism. - Oxidative Stress: Imbalances can lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species, causing damage to cellular components. - Apoptosis and Necrosis: Severe deficiencies or toxicities can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) or uncontrolled cell death (necrosis), which can be observed histologically as cellular shrinkage or swelling, respectively.
