Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Vitamins

Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Vitamins is a comprehensive resource exploring vitamins as physiologically active molecules and examining how they function at the molecular and cellular levels. Published by CRC Press in 2026, the book brings together concepts from biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, molecular genetics, and immunology to provide an integrated perspective on vitamin biology.

The book is organized to guide readers from foundational concepts toward the biological roles and mechanisms of individual vitamins. It covers both fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, with attention to their absorption, transport, metabolism, cellular actions, regulation of gene expression, immune functions, deficiency-related diseases, and potential toxicity.

About the Book

Rather than treating vitamins simply as nutritional requirements, this book examines their biological behavior and physiological activity within the body. It explains how vitamins are absorbed from the intestine, transported through the plasma, metabolized, and utilized in biochemical and cellular processes.

The book also explores how vitamin-related mechanisms interact with different areas of biological science, helping readers understand the connections between nutrition and molecular biology, physiology, genetics, endocrinology, and immunology.

Structure and Organization

The contents are divided into four major sections:

• Introduction – Establishes the fundamental concepts needed to understand vitamin biology.
• Biological Perspectives – Examines vitamin function through the principles of biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, molecular genetics, and immunology.
• Fat-Soluble Vitamins – Explores the biology and physiological functions of vitamins in this group.
• Water-Soluble Vitamins – Examines the molecular and cellular roles of water-soluble vitamins and their relationship to health and disease.

This logical progression allows readers to build their understanding before moving into more specialized aspects of individual vitamins.

Molecular and Cellular Functions of Vitamins

Individual vitamin chapters address a range of topics relevant to understanding vitamin activity, including:

• Chemical structures
• Intestinal absorption
• Plasma transport
• Metabolism
• Biochemical functions
• Physiological actions
• Regulation of gene expression
• Immunological properties
• Vitamin deficiency and associated diseases
• Potential toxicity

By combining these areas, the book demonstrates how vitamin activity extends from molecular interactions to physiological processes and broader health outcomes.

Vitamins, Immunity, and Disease

The book also considers the relationship between vitamin biology and disease. Particular attention is given to immunological functions and deficiency-related conditions, while broader discussions address diseases and health conditions associated with vitamin biology, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Potential toxicity is also considered, providing a more complete view of vitamins that includes both their physiological importance and the consequences of inappropriate levels or exposure.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

One of the strengths of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Vitamins is its interdisciplinary perspective. Vitamin biology is considered through several complementary scientific disciplines, including:

• Biochemistry
• Cell biology
• Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Molecular genetics
• Immunology
• Nutrition and health sciences

This approach helps readers understand vitamins not simply as dietary compounds, but as biologically active molecules involved in complex cellular and physiological processes.

Who Should Read This Book?

This book can be useful for:

• Researchers working in vitamin biology and nutrition
• Postgraduate students studying nutrition
• Students in health-related disciplines
• Scientists in biochemistry and molecular biology
• Researchers studying physiology and endocrinology
• Immunology and molecular genetics researchers
• Health practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of vitamin biology
• Faculty involved in teaching nutrition or vitamin-related subjects

Final Thoughts

Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Vitamins provides an integrated examination of how vitamins function at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. By combining fundamental vitamin chemistry with absorption, metabolism, gene regulation, immune functions, deficiency, disease, and toxicity, the book provides a broad framework for understanding the biological importance of vitamins.

Its interdisciplinary organization makes it particularly relevant to readers interested in the connections between nutrition, molecular biology, physiology, immunology, and human health.

Book Information

Title: Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Vitamins
Publisher: CRC Press
Publication Date: June 21, 2026
Edition: 1st
Language: English
Print Length: 462 pages
ISBN-10: 1032531037
ISBN-13: 978-1032531038
Subjects: Vitamins, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Physiology, Endocrinology, Molecular Genetics, Immunology, Vitamin Deficiency, Nutritional Biochemistry, Health Sciences

Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Vitamins explores vitamins as physiologically active molecules, connecting their molecular and cellular functions with nutrition, immunity, metabolism, disease, and human health.