Nutritional Assessment of Protein and Sodium Contents in Commercial Senior-Friendly Foods.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of senior-friendly foods sold in Korea, focusing on protein and sodium. This study examined the nutritional content of 170 products with nutritional labels that were sold in online stores in Korea and categorized the products into 93 staple foods (cooked rice, porridge, and mousse) and 77 side-dish and snack foods (braized·steam·roast products, broth, sauces, and snacks). Then, the adequacy of the nutritional content of these foods, focusing on protein and sodium, was evaluated according to product type. The 93 staple products and 77 side-dish products had average serving sizes of 163.27 g and 127.92 g, prices of $3.25 and $2.72, and energy contents of 295.25 kcal and 141.95 kcal, respectively. For staple foods, the energy content was significantly greater in cooked rice, but the protein content and index of nutrition quality (INQ) were significantly greater in mousse. There were no significant differences in sodium content or contribution to adequate intake (AI) by product type, but the sodium INQ was significantly greater in the mousse and porridge. For side-dish foods and snack products, the protein content, contribution to the recommended intake, and INQ were all significantly greater for the braized·steam·roast products. Sauces and braized·steam·roast products were significantly higher in sodium content and contribution to the AI, while broth was significantly higher in sodium INQ. These findings can be used to guide proper product selection and nutritional management that considers the health characteristics of health-vulnerable and elderly people.

Typical Guidelines for Well-Balanced Diet and Science Communication in Japan and Worldwide.

Numerous studies have investigated healthy diets and nutrients. Governments and scientists have communicated their findings to the public in an easy-to-understand manner, which has played a critical role in achieving citizens' well-being. Some countries have published dietary reference intakes (DRIs), whereas some academic organizations have provided scientific evidence on dietary methods, such as traditional diets. Recently, more user-friendly methods have been introduced; the Health Star Rating system and Optimized Nutri-Dense Meals are examples from Australia and Japan, respectively. Both organizations adopt a novel approach that incorporates nudges. This review summarizes the science communication regarding food policies, guidelines, and novel methods in Japan and other countries. In the food policies section, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the DRIs and food-based guidelines published by the government. Dietary methods widely known, such as The Mediterranean diet, Nordic diet, Japanese traditional diet, and the EAT-Lancet guidelines, were also reviewed. Finally, we discussed future methods of science communications, such as nudge.

Modeling Zinc Absorption in the Adult Population of Colombia: Insights for Nutritional Evaluation and Intervention Strategies.

Zinc is a vital trace element, yet its deficiency is common in various populations. This study addresses the gap in understanding zinc intake and its relationship with key nutritional parameters in a Colombian population. We analyzed data from 12,987 individuals, focusing on the daily intake of zinc, phytate, protein, and calcium, and used the phytate/zinc molar ratio as an input parameter in the Miller et al. (2013) model. This model was employed to estimate the total absorbed zinc (TAZ) and the fractional absorption of zinc (FAZ). Our findings highlight a general trend towards insufficient intake compared to the standards of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Colombia, with a significant percentage of the population falling below the estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended daily allowance (RDA) for zinc, underscoring the need for targeted nutritional strategies. Our study contributes to a broader understanding of zinc nutrition and public health implications in Colombia, providing a basis for future dietary guidelines and health interventions.

Nutritional intake and determinants of nutritional quality changes from pregnancy to postpartum-a longitudinal study.

Nutrient requirements vary across the reproductive cycle, but research on changes in nutritional intake and quality from pregnancy to beyond the lactation period is limited. Thus, we aimed to study nutritional intake and quality changes, among Swedish pregnant participants from late pregnancy to 18 months postpartum and to study the determinants of nutritional quality changes. Participants (n = 72) were studied longitudinally from the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum (2 weeks 4, 12, and 18 months postpartum). At each visit, participant characteristics and 4-day food diaries were collected. Nutritional quality was assessed by energy adjusted Nutrient Rich Food Index 11.3. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the determinants of change in nutritional quality. Intakes of carbohydrate energy percentage (E%), fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium were higher in the third trimester compared to postpartum, whereas intakes of E% protein and monounsaturated fat were lower. Adherence to recommended intakes was low at all study visits for saturated fat (4%-11%), fiber (15%-39%), vitamin D (8%-14%), folate (0%-2%), and iron (6%-21%). Overall, nutritional quality did not differ significantly from third trimester to postpartum. Shorter duration (<4 months) of lactation was negatively related to nutritional quality changes, whereas higher age was positively related to changes. In conclusion, nutritional intake from pregnancy to postpartum changed, whereas quality remained relatively stable, with age and lactation duration as determinants. Identification of people at risk of adverse dietary changes from pregnancy to the postpartum period should be further addressed in future larger and more diverse study populations.

A study on the prevalence of adequacy of Iron and Vitamin C in children's diets / Estudo de prevalência de adequação de Ferro e Vitamina C em dietas infantis

The aim of this study was to apply methodological procedures to determine the prevalence of adequacy of Iron and vitamin C in children's diets. It was included 238 children aged 2 to 3 years enrolled in 2009 in 25 day care centers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Dietary intake was assessed by weighing the food and food record. Assessing the prevalence of nutrient adequacy took into consideration the individual and the group. The best estimate of the needs of the individual is given by the estimated average requirement (EAR), since we do not know the true needs of the individual who is being evaluated. To estimate the need of the group method was used EAR as the cutoff. The prevalence of adequacy of iron and vitamin C in children's diets was 91.2 and 62.2%, respectively. All necessary to achieve the method EAR as the cutoff were used, but became unviable the adjustment of the observed consumption data to estimate the distribution of usual intake in this group. We conclude that the study of probability of adequacy of habitual diet in iron and vitamin C in the age group in question was only possible with the use of procedures for the individual.

O objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar procedimentos metodológicos para determinar a prevalência de adequação de ferro e vitamina C em dietas infantis. Foram incluídas na amostra 238 crianças de 2 e 3 anos matriculadas no ano de 2009 em 25 creches no município do Rio de Janeiro. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado por pesagem de alimentos e registro alimentar. Para avaliação da prevalência de adequação de um nutriente levou-se em consideração o indivíduo e o grupo. A melhor estimativa das necessidades do indivíduo é dada pela necessidade média estimada (EAR), já que não se conhece a necessidade verdadeira do indivíduo que se está avaliando. Para estimar a necessidade do grupo foi utilizado o método da EAR como ponto de corte. A prevalência de adequação de ferro e vitamina C nas dietas infantis para cada criança foi de 91,2 e 62,2%, respectivamente. Foram utilizadas todas as premissas necessárias à consecução do método da EAR como ponto de corte, porém tornou-se inviável o ajustamento dos dados de consumo observado para estimar a distribuição do consumo habitual neste grupo. Conclui-se que o estudo de probabilidade de adequação da dieta habitual em ferro e vitamina C no grupo etário em apreço só foi possível com a utilização dos procedimentos destinados ao indivíduo.

Resumen de la evidencia disponible del beneficio de ácidos grasos EPA y DHA para determinar un valor referencial recomendado para su ingesta: Overview / Summary of the available evidence from the benefit of EPA and DHA fatty acids for Determine a reference value recommended for intake

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO Dentro de los ácidos grasos n-3 polinsaturados, el ácido eicosapentaenoico(EPA) y el ácido docosahexaenoico(DHA) han sido estudiados ampliamente por los efectos beneficiosos de su ingesta. En este contexto el Departamento de Nutrición solicita este resumen con el objetivo de informar la toma de decisiones respecto del efecto de EPA y DHA sobre la salud de la población. METODOLOGÍA Se buscó en 5 bases de datos con el objetivo de identificar revisiones sistemáticas del tema. Se utiliza la metodología sobre la certeza de la evidencia GRADE. Se excluyen estudios que incluyeran ensayos clínicos con animales, que describieran mecanismos de acción de omega-3, artículos en otro idioma que no sea inglés/español. RESULTADOS -Los ácidos grasos omega-3 podrían reducir la mortalidad de la población por toda causa, pero la evidencia no es contundente. -La ingesta de EPA y DHA no prevendría el cáncer en la población. -En términos cardiovasculares, el EPA y DHA probablemente reducen la presión arterial, reducen la mortalidad por causa cardiovascular, y reduce los eventos coronarios. -Los ácidos grasos n-3 polinsaturados probablemente mejoran la eficiencia neuronal. -Podrían existir algunos beneficios de ácidos grasos Omega-3 en la reducción del riesgo de presentar partos prematuros, fibrosis quística, metabolopatías, inmunopatías y concentraciones sanguíneas elevadas de triglicéridos y colesterol. -Los ácidos grasos Omega-3 no generan beneficios en el crecimiento de los recién nacidos y su desarrollo neurológico. Sin embargo, EPA y DHA pueden impactar sobre el desarrollo visual. -La ingesta de EPA y DHA no tiene un efecto sobre la depresión maternal. -La ingesta de DHA en dosis entre 0.5-3.4g por día reduce la depresión maternal perinatal. Sin embargo, dosis de 1.68g aumentan los niveles de colesterol HDL y LDL, a la vez que reducen el nivel de triglicéridos. -Ingestas mayores a 200mg diarios de EPA y DHA reducen el nivel sanguíneo de triglicéridos, mientras que dosis mayores a 3g aumentarían los niveles de colesterol LDL. -Las recomendaciones de organizaciones a lo largo del mundo varían en cuanto a sexo y edad de las personas. Además, exceptuando a Japón, las recomendaciones se encuentran entre 100-500mg diarios de EPA y DHA.