Colloids and Colloidal Systems in Human Health and Nutrition

Robert O. Young MSc, DSc, PhD

Colloids and colloidal systems are essential to life. They are extremely useful, even indispensable, in many commercial and industrial situations as well. They function in everybody cell, in the blood, and in all body fluids, especially the intercellular fluids, formerly known as "humours." Therefore, increased understanding of colloids and their attendant phenomena, as well as the application of their operating principles, to enhance human health considerably is discussed in this article. Colloidal science is relatively young, however, and the number of qualified experts is few compared to other areas of science. In addition, most study in colloids has been confined to industrial processes. Having found use in agriculture, the concrete industry, horticulture, the floral industry, mining, electroplating and cosmetics, to name a few, colloids may have specific application in almost every form of human endeavor. Each of the few general areas just mentioned can be broken down into extensive subdivisions as discussed in this book.