Summary
You cant gut disease prevention and pretend youre fighting diabetes. You cant lay off food inspectors and call it a nutrition strategy.
Source: U.S. News & World Report on MSN.com
AI News Q&A (Free Content)
Q1: What is the current market size and consumer usage trends of dietary supplements in the United States?
A1: As of 2021, the dietary supplement industry was valued at $151.9 billion with over 50,000 products marketed in the United States. Approximately 50% of the American adult population consumes dietary supplements, with multivitamins being the most commonly used. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recognizes that supplements may be beneficial for those who are nutrient deficient and have approval from a medical provider.
Q2: How does the FDA regulate dietary supplements in the United States?
A2: The FDA enforces regulations that prevent supplement manufacturers from claiming their products can prevent or treat diseases. Labels can use 'Structure/Function' wording if there is scientific evidence supporting a supplement's potential health effect, but must include a disclaimer that the FDA has not evaluated these claims. Additionally, the FDA prohibits the sale of supplements that are dangerous or not manufactured according to standardized good manufacturing practices.
Q3: What are the findings of recent research on chromium supplementation and its effects on health?
A3: A recent narrative review concluded that chromium supplementation likely does not have beneficial effects on glycemia or serum lipids, even in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The essentiality of chromium as a trace mineral is increasingly challenged, with some researchers suggesting it may be more pharmacologically active than essential. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to draw solid conclusions.
Q4: What role do antioxidants play in human nutrition, and what is their effectiveness as dietary supplements?
A4: Antioxidants inhibit oxidation and prevent cellular damage from oxidative stress. While vitamins A, C, and E are known dietary antioxidants, supplements marketed as such have not been proven to maintain health or prevent diseases in humans. Their effectiveness in vivo remains speculative despite in vitro evidence.
Q5: What are the implications of non-supplemented vegan diets in pediatric populations?
A5: A case study highlighted that strict adherence to a non-supplemented vegan diet in children can lead to nutritional deficiencies such as calcipenic rickets, failure to thrive, and nephrolithiasis. This underscores the importance of proper supplementation in vegan diets to prevent such deficiencies, particularly in children.
Q6: How does supplementation with probiotics like Bacillus clausii affect nutrient absorption?
A6: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial found that supplementation with Bacillus clausii UBBC-07, combined with whey protein, enhanced the bioavailability of circulating essential amino acids in young adults. This suggests probiotics may improve gastrointestinal health and nutrient absorption.
Q7: What challenges exist in measuring diet-disease relationships, and how can biomarkers improve this understanding?
A7: The use of blood concentration biomarkers offers potential to reduce subjective bias and improve the accuracy of these associations. Research using nutritional biomarkers has shown promise in better understanding the impact of diet on health outcomes.
References:
- Dietary supplement
- Chromium Supplementation And The Essentiality Of Chromium To Human Nutrition: A Narrative Review
- Antioxidant
- Consequences of a non-supplemented pediatric vegan diet: Nephrolithiasis & nutritional calcipenic rickets
- Supplementation With Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 Enhances Circulating Essential Amino Acids in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial
- Nutritional blood concentration biomarkers in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos: Measurement characteristics and power
