Providing a review of the digestive tract, liver, and core concepts, this important reference presents the nutritional consequences and considerations of digestive disorders. Contributors examine the role of nutrition in gastrointestinal and liver disease, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, malabsorption, colorectal disease, transplantation, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Of special interest to the practitioner are chapters on food allergy and intolerance, the effects of medicinal plants, and the role of fiber in the gastrointestinal tract. The reference also addresses the challenges of managing nutritional issues for hospitalized patients and covers eating disorders and ethical issues.