Les traceurs isotopiques stables en nutrition humaine : que peut-on faire avec ?

This review describes many aspects of the use of stable isotopes tracers for the study of human metabolism. These molecules are inoffensive and bring informations about plasma substrates fluxes and synthesis of complex molecules (proteins, triglycerides, glycogen). They can be associated together and to other techniques such as clamp or indirect calorimetry during the same experiment in the same subject. They help to better understand physiological and pathophysiological mecanisms sustaining the maintenance of a good or an altered nutritional status. In the field of health claims, they are useful to bring the demonstration of the the metabolic fate of novel foods or of their benefits for health.