Application of models to the determination of nutrient requirements: An overview

Abstract

The events leading up to this symposium are reviewed. The importance of recognizing the inherent differences between mathematics, a logical science, and nutrition, an empirical science, are emphasized. The role of modeling leading to the proposal that vitamin B-6 requirements for growth can be estimated by multiplying 15 nmol/g times the grams of daily gain is discussed. The goals and organization of the symposium are summarized.