Bioactive peptides are used to enhance the body's antioxidant status, antisepsis capacity, immune function, anti-inflammatory capacity, mineral absorption, and appetite. They can also mitigate major metabolic derangements arising from chronic illnesses which result in unwanted weight loss. Presenting data from human studies, clinical trials, and recent research findings, this work summarizes the applications and benefits of this therapy. The book covers host response, quality factors, protein economics, and muscle loss. It includes case studies on aging, AIDS, COPD, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney failure, and tuberculosis.

Richard Owusu-Apenten is a faculty member at the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Science, University of Ulster, Coleraine.

Chronic illnesses, injury, or infections produce a decline in muscle massleading to delayed recovery, more post-treatment complications, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates. Therefore, ensuring adequate lean body mass is of major concern in health care. Presenting data from human studies and trials, along with recent research findings

Nutrition and the Host Response to Infection and Injury. Bioactive Peptides for Nutrition and Health. Dietary Protein Requirements for Health. Protein Turnover and Economics within the Body. Major Processes for Muscle Gain and Loss. Inflammation and Innate Immune Response. Infection and Sepsis. Anabolic Dysfunction. Bioactive Peptides for Alleviating Illness Anorexia.