Transcript Examples

COMPLEMENTARY
NUTRITION:
Functional Foods and Dietary
Supplements
We’ve talked about food groups
and many specific nutrients in food.
However, almost all foods are
composed of hundreds or thousands
of different types of molecules.
Many of these are known (or suspected) to provide
benefits beyond the three basic nutritional roles we
discussed last week: a) providing energy, b) providing
building blocks for cellular and extracellular structures,
and c) regulating cellular processes.
We’ve talked about food groups
and many specific nutrients in food.
However, almost all foods are
composed of hundreds or thousands
of different types of molecules.
Many of these are known (or suspected) to provide
benefits beyond the three basic nutritional roles we
discussed last week: a) providing energy, b) providing
building blocks for cellular and extracellular structures,
and c) regulating cellular processes.
Foods which provide these added
benefits are known as functional foods.
Functional Foods
For example:
Many foods contain functional compounds which act as
antioxidants, protecting cells from highly damaging
chemicals called “oxygen free radicals.”
Functional Foods
For example:
Many foods contain functional compounds which act as
antioxidants, protecting cells from highly damaging
chemicals called “oxygen free radicals.”
Some foods contain functional compounds which help cells
of the immune system attack bacteria or viruses.
Functional Foods
For example:
Many foods contain functional compounds which act as
antioxidants, protecting cells from highly damaging
chemicals called “oxygen free radicals.”
Some foods contain functional compounds which help cells
of the immune system attack bacteria or viruses.
Functional Foods
For example:
Many foods contain functional compounds which act as
antioxidants, protecting cells from highly damaging
chemicals called “oxygen free radicals.”
Some foods contain functional compounds which help cells
of the immune system attack bacteria or viruses.
Some foods contain functional compounds which help the
digestive system absorb nutrients.
Functional Foods
For example:
Many foods contain functional compounds which act as
antioxidants, protecting cells from highly damaging
chemicals called “oxygen free radicals.”
Some foods contain functional compounds which help cells
of the immune system attack bacteria or viruses.
Some foods contain functional compounds which help the
digestive system absorb nutrients.
Some foods contain functional compounds which block the
growth of cancers.
Functional Foods
Examples:
Some foods contain functional compounds which protect
the cells of the retina from degenerating.
Functional Foods
Examples:
Some foods contain functional compounds which protect
the cells of the retina from degenerating.
Some foods contain functional compounds which reduce
the concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood
Functional Foods
Examples:
Some foods contain functional compounds which protect
the cells of the retina from degenerating.
Some foods contain functional compounds which reduce
the concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood
Some foods contain functional compounds which block
inflammation and/or reduce fever
Functional Foods
Examples:
Some foods contain functional compounds which protect
the cells of the retina from degenerating.
Some foods contain functional compounds which reduce
the concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood
Some foods contain functional compounds which block
inflammation and/or reduce fever
Some foods contain functional compounds which
strengthen bone and/or tooth growth
Functional Foods
There are hundreds of known “functional compounds” in
“functional foods”. Table 3.1 in your textbook lists some
of these along with their health benefits.
Functional Foods
There are hundreds of known “functional compounds” in
“functional foods”. Table 3.1 in your textbook lists some
of these along with their health benefits.
Many of these functional compounds are
naturally occuring chemicals in plants –
we call these phytochemicals when they
provide specific health benefits.
Functional Foods
There are hundreds of known “functional compounds” in
“functional foods”. Table 3.1 in your textbook lists some
of these along with their health benefits.
Many of these functional compounds are
naturally occuring chemicals in plants –
we call these phytochemicals when they
provide specific health benefits.
In fact, phytochemicals are a major reasons why federal
dietary guidelines recommend lots of fruits and
vegetables – one serving of a fruit or vegetable may
have as many as 100 different phytochemicals
Functional Foods
Many foods are “fortified” by adding additional amounts
of functional compounds which theynaturally contain:
For example:
Milk fortified with calcium
Orange juice fortified with vitamin C
Yogurt fortified with live active cultures
Margarines fortified with plant sterols
etc.
Additives:
In other cases, things are added to foods which do not
normally contain them: These are called additives.
These function to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Enhance flavor or add color
Add nutritional value
Prevent spoiling
Produce a specific consistency
Maintain acidity/alkalinity or
provide leavening
Additives:
The most common additives are:
Salt
Sugar
Corn syrup
Food colors
But: Hundreds of different additives are used in a
variety of foods.
Fortified Foods and Additives:
Thus:
Adding vitamin C to orange juice would be “fortifying” it
(since orange juice naturally contains some)
but
Vitamin C added to bread would be an “additive” since
grains do not naturally contain it.
Fortified Foods and Additives:
Thus:
Adding vitamin C to orange juice would be “fortifying” it
(since orange juice naturally contains some)
but
Vitamin C added to bread would be an “additive” since
grains do not naturally contain it.
This difference is important, since additives are more
closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
to ensure safety.
Additives:
The FDA must approve an additive before it can be put
on the market.
There are four regulatory categories
1) Food additives
2) Color additives
Additives:
The FDA must approve an additive before it can be put
on the market.
There are four regulatory categories
1) Food additives
2) Color additives
Research evidence must show that
the additive
a) is safe at the expected
levels of consumption
b) performs its intended
function
Additives:
The FDA must approve an additive before it can be put
on the market.
There are four regulatory categories
1) Food additives
2) Color additives
3) “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) substances
4) Prior (<1958) sanctioned substances.
Additives:
The FDA must approve an additive before it can be put
on the market – AT LEAST IN THEORY
There are four regulatory categories
1) Food additives
2) Color additives
3) “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) substances
4) Prior (<1958) sanctioned substances.
Additives:
The FDA must approve an additive before it can be put
on the market – AT LEAST IN THEORY
In reality: The FDA allows the food producers to
determine the safety of additives.
Since 1958, more than 4,000 new ingredients have been
added to food in the US without this prior approval
under the “generally recognized as safe” provision
but
Food companies are not required to document this
Additives:
The FDA must approve an additive before it can be put
on the market – AT LEAST IN THEORY
In reality: The FDA allows the food producers to determine
the safety of additives.
According to one group, the Pew Health Group:
Since 1958, the FDA:
Has reviewed 7,000 substances added to food
Has been informed of 3,000 substances it did not review
Was never informed of 1,000 substances
Additives:
The FDA must approve a food or color additive before it
can be put on the market, based on research evidence
that 1. It is safe at the expected levels of consumption
2. It performs its intended function
An additional stipulation, known as the “Delaney Clause”,
prohibits the use of an additive, even at very low
concentrations, which has been shown to cause cancer
in humans or animals.
Functional Foods and Additives:
If it meets FDA guidelines, a
food company may make
claims about nutrient content
and/or health benefits on the
food label regarding functional
compounds and additives.
It may also claim that a functional
compound or additive has a benefit for
the structure or function of the body.
Dietary Supplements:
Unlike additives, which require prior approval by the
Food and Drug Administration, dietary supplements
can be put on the market without such approval as
long as
1. The word “supplement” is clearly written on the label
2. The label includes ingredient information and a
“supplement facts panel”.
Dietary Supplements:
Unlike additives, which require prior approval by the
Food and Drug Administration, dietary supplements
can be put on the market without such approval as
long as
1. The word “supplement” is clearly written on the label
2. The label includes ingredient information and a
“supplement facts panel”.
3. Health claims can be made
without prior FDA approval,
but must follow the same
guidelines as those for
foods and additives.
Dietary Supplements:
Most dietary supplements are either minerals or
vitamins, for which the dietary reference intakes we
discussed earlier (Estimated Average Requirement,
Recommended Dietary Allowance, Adequate Intake,
Tolerable Upper Intake Level) are established.
.
Dietary Supplements:
Most dietary supplements are either minerals or
vitamins, for which the dietary reference intakes we
discussed earlier (Estimated Average Requirement,
Recommended Dietary Allowance, Adequate Intake,
Tolerable Upper Intake Level) are established.
Other supplements, however, may include herbs, amino
acids, or combinations of different compounds
Dietary Supplements:
Herbs:
Echinacea
Garlic extract
Ginkgo balboa
Chamomile
Ginger
Ginseng
Glucosamine
Salvia
St. John’s wort
Willow bark
etc.
Dietary Supplements:
Herbs:
Echinacea
Garlic extract
Ginkgo balboa
Chamomile
Ginger
Ginseng
Glucosamine
Salvia
St. John’s wort
Willow bark
etc.
Amino Acids:
Arginine
Cysteine
Glutaimine
Glycine
Lysine
Methionine
Taurine
Tryptophan
Tyrosine
Valine
etc.
Dietary Supplements:
While most people do not need supplements, they are
recommended in moderate doses for individuals with
some special needs, for example:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Elderly
Infants and children
People on restricted diets
People with serious illnesses
etc.
Dietary Supplements:
Very high doses (“megadoses”, 10x or more the
recommended amount) of a supplement may be used
in some situations, for example:
Malabsorption syndrome
Pernicious anemia
Serious deficiencies caused by illness or treatment
However: Megadoses can be harmful or even fatal if
used incorrectly
Dietary Supplements:
(Megadoses can be harmful or fatal if used incorrectly)
For example:
Megadoses of gingko balboa can
cause internal bleeding/strokes
Megadoses of potassium can
cause excessive levels of sodium
in the blood.
Megadoses of calcium can block absorption of iron & zinc,
and can cause calcium deposits in tissues throughout
the body.
Dietary Supplements:
(Megadoses can be harmful or fatal if used incorrectly)
For example:
Megadoses of vitamin A can damage
nerves, liver, bones
Megadoses of vitamin B3 (niacin) can
damage the liver
Megadoses of vitamin D can damage
the kidneys & heart
Megadoses of vitamins A or D in pregnant women
increase the risk of birth defects
Choosing Dietary Supplements
Does your body need the supplement?
Is the quantity enough to have an effect?
Is the product new to you? Do you know its effects?
Consider the dosage used. Is it safe?
Who is selling the product?
A good indicator of quality is the
U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) mark.
With any food, additive, or supplement:
Beware of fraudulent product claims
Clues:
“Secret cure”, “biggest discovery”, etc
Pseudomedical jargon (e.g. “detoxify”)
Claims to cure a wide range of diseases
Lists only benefits but no side effects
Backed by “Scientific research” you can’t find
Available only online, by mail, etc.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true…