functional foods Flashcards
3 Phases in Understanding of Foods and Nutrients
Sustenance – daily intake of nutrients needed for growth, development and daily activities
Deficiency disorders and essential nutrients – discovery of specific nutrients essential for health and life
Health promoting food constituents – components of foods beyond the essential nutrients can provide health benefits
‘Functional Foods’
other names for it
Nutraceuticals’ ‘Functional Foods’ ‘Wellness Foods’ ‘Medicinal Foods’ ‘Pharma Foods’ ‘Medical Edibles’
As defined by Health Canada:
A ‘nutraceutical’
vs. functional foods
is a product isolated or purified from foods that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical is demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease (Health Canada).
A ‘functional food’ is similar in appearance to, or may be, a conventional food, is consumed as part of a usual diet, and is demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions (Health Canada).
Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are naturally derived, bioactive compounds that have health promoting, disease preventing or medicinal properties.
Nutraceuticals can be delivered in the form of food (functional foods) or as a dietary supplement or in both forms.
Nutraceutical industry fast growing.
Needs sound science
health products (NHPs) are defined as:
Vitamins and minerals
Herbal remedies
Homeopathic medicines
Traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines
Probiotics, and
Other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids.
natural health prducts and safety
NHPs must be safe for consideration as over-the-counter products, be available for self-care and self-selection and not require a prescription to be sold. Products requiring a prescription will continue to be regulated under the Food and Drug Regulations.
Through the Natural Health Products Directorate, Health Canada ensures that all Canadians have ready access to natural health products that are safe, effective and of high quality, while respecting freedom of choice and philosophical and cultural diversity.
Natural Health Products Regulations include provisions on:
definitions, product licensing, site licensing, good manufacturing practices, clinical trials, labelling and packaging requirements, and adverse reaction reporting.
Standard labelling requirements are established to ensure consumers can
make informed choices.
Examples of the required label information include: the product name,
the quantity of product in the bottle
, recommended conditions of use (including such things as: its recommended use or purpose, dosage form,
route of administration, recommended dose,
and any cautionary statements, warnings, contra-indications and possible adverse reactions associated with the product), as well as any special storage conditions
Lifestyle-related and other Disorders/Diseases where Nutraceuticals/Functional Foods can play a Major Role in Prevention/Management
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and risk factors (blood lipids, b.p., etc.)
Type 2 Diabetes
Cancers (colon, prostate, breast, others)
Osteoporosis
Kidney Disorders
Inflammatory conditions (arthritis, bowel, etc.)
‘Psychiatric disorders’
Others
Selected Rationale for Introduction of Functional Foods into Marketplace and Health-Care System
Lifestyle (diet)–related chronic diseases/disorders in Canada are major burden on health care costs (particularly with ageing population).
Offers low-cost and early control of risk factors for subsequent disease (e.g., heart disease).
Offers a ‘preventive’ model for disease prevention rather than the current ‘medical’ model.
Dietary advice often ineffective on longer-term (e.g., blood cholesterol-lowering by dietary advice).
Offers control of ‘moderately’ elevated risk factors (e.g., blood cholesterol, triglyceride, etc.) which current health-care system fails to control.
High ‘quit’ rate on pharmaceutical agents.
Functional foods can serve as optional or complementary approaches for risk factor control and disease management.
Dramatic reduction in health care costs.
Boom to Canadian economy/production of products, job creation, reduced dependency on imported/costly pharmaceutical products, etc.
Paradigm Shift in Health Care is Needed in Canada
Current: ‘Medical Model’ (later in life)
Medical Management with or without Dietary Advice of Chronic Disorders/Diseases (no Functional Foods/Nutraceuticals)
Future: ‘Preventive Model’ (early in life)
Wide introduction and use of Functional Foods/Nutraceuticals for Prevention of Chronic Disorders/Diseases
Some Examples of Natural Blood Triglyceride-Lowering Nutraceutical Ingredients and their Potential to Reduce Subsequent Heart Disease Treatment Costs if Initiated as Preventive Foods in Healthy Individuals
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
(EPA/DHA)
13 cents/day
ex[ected % decrease in disease risk
20% (in women)
7.5% (in men)
$2.70 billion (both genders)
Functional Foods to Decrease Blood Cholesterol
Oat bran fibre
Soy protein/isoflavones
Hypolipidemic effects?
Fish oil fatty acids (omega-3)
Variety of health benefits including hypolipidemic properties
Probiotics and prebiotics
Probiotic: bacteria-containing food
Prebiotic: ingredient (eg neosugar) that promotes specific bacteria
Bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (eg. butyrate) that decrease liver cholesterol synthesis
Bacterial activity deconjugates bile acids that are then less well absorbed
Plant sterols and stanols
Competitively inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption
Fruits and vegetables
Effective Nutrient
Possible Health Benefit
FDA Approved
Health Claim
Vitamins,
Phytochemicals, fiber
Reduce cancer risk
Reduce heart disease risk
Yes
Calcium-fortified orange juice
Effective Nutrient
Possible Health Benefit
FDA Approved
Health Claim
Calcium
Reduce risk for osteoporosis
Yes
