Abstract
During my academic career, I have conducted studies on inborn errors of metabolism, disorders of calcium-phosphorus-vitamin D and development of nutritional support, particularly for patients with chronic liver diseases, for 18 years as a pediatrician and for 12 years as a scientist in a department of clinical nutrition. Control of lifestyle including food intake can have remarkable effects in both preventing and treating inborn errors of metabolism. In addition, it should be emphasized that successful control of lifestyle to combat such diseases has been supported by reliable genetic information, since the amount of calcium required daily differs among individuals according to their degree of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism. Although phosphorus is important for energy production, bone metabolism and other functions, its role has not been adequately clarified. Recent changes in Japanese eating habits mean that individuals need to pay attention to excess phosphorus intake in order to maintain healthy bones. Clinical studies of chronic liver disease indicate that small and frequent meals are required as nutritional treatment for protein energy malnutrition and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
