Knowledge regarding the composition of functional foods and supplements is important from both a regulatory perspective, as well as using the composition of foods to elucidate potentially positive and harmful health effects. This unit will use an integrative approach to explore the composition of functional foods, natural products, and supplements including how different analytical techniques are necessary based on the makeup and constituents of the product, then use this information to explore the potential health benefits and risks based on this compositional analysis. The unit will cover compositional analysis of functional foods, supplements and natural products, from a health perspective and will explore the differences between foods and medicines (including supplements and natural products) and the benefits and limitations of current regulatory processes. Students will also learn about measurement of food constituents in biological fluids that is fundamental to understanding how foods are absorbed in the body to exert any potential health effects.