Carl von Voit Scientist
Carl von Voit (October 31, 1831 – January 31, 1908) was a German physiologist and dietitian.Voit was born in Amberg. From 1848 to 1854 he studied medicine in Munich and Würzburg; habilitation in 1857 at the University of Munich, professor of physiology since 1860, as well as curator of the physiological collection.Carl von Voit is considered by many to be the "father" of modern dietetics. As a chemist and physiologist, he found that the amount of nitrogen in excreted urea is a measure for the protein turnover. Using a respiration chamber, he could characterize the significance of individual nutrients, known as Voit'sches Kostmaß. He was also a successful teacher, attracting international students to the University of Munich and thus significantly influencing the US nutritionist, among others. One of his best known German pupils was Max Rubner.Carl von Voit died in Munich.The German Nutrition Society awards the Carl-von-Voit-medal since 1961.
