Staking a Claim to Good Health: FDA and Science Stand Behind Health Claims on Foods

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Kurtzweil
Keyword(s):  
Good Health ◽  
Health Claims

scholarly journals Immunomodulating Effects of Fungal Beta-Glucans: From Traditional Use to Medicine

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1333
Author(s):  
Hidde P. van Steenwijk ◽  
Aalt Bast ◽  
Alie de Boer
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Beta Glucan ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Beta Glucans ◽  
And Function

The importance of a well-functioning and balanced immune system has become more apparent in recent decades. Various elements have however not yet been uncovered as shown, for example, in the uncertainty on immune system responses to COVID-19. Fungal beta-glucans are bioactive molecules with immunomodulating properties. Insights into the effects and function of beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, advances with the help of modern immunological and biotechnological methods. However, it is still unclear into which area beta-glucans fit best: supplements or medicine? This review has highlighted the potential application of fungal beta-glucans in nutrition and medicine, reviewing their formulation, efficacy, safety profile, and immunomodulating effects. The current status of dietary fungal glucans with respect to the European scientific requirements for health claims related to the immune system and defense against pathogens has been reviewed. Comparing the evidence base of the putative health effects of fungal beta-glucan supplements with the published guidance documents by EFSA on substantiating immune stimulation and pathogen defense by food products shows that fungal beta-glucans could play a role in supporting and maintaining health and, thus, can be seen as a good health-promoting substance from food, which could mean that this effect may also be claimed if approved. In addition to these developments related to food uses of beta-glucan-containing supplements, beta-glucans could also hold a novel position in Western medicine as the concept of trained immunity is relatively new and has not been investigated to a large extent. These innovative concepts, together with the emerging success of modern immunological and biotechnological methods, suggest that fungal glucans may play a promising role in both perspectives, and that there are possibilities for traditional medicine to provide an immunological application in both medicine and nutrition.

scholarly journals Dietary fibre in Europe: current state of knowledge on definitions, sources, recommendations, intakes and relationships to health

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Stephen ◽  
Martine M.-J. Champ ◽  
Susan J. Cloran ◽  
Mathilde Fleith ◽  
Lilou van Lieshout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Food Composition Tables ◽  
The Impact

AbstractResearch into the analysis, physical properties and health effects of dietary fibre has continued steadily over the last 40–50 years. From the knowledge gained, countries have developed guidelines for their populations on the optimal amount of fibre to be consumed each day. Food composition tables from many countries now contain values for the dietary fibre content of foods, and, from these, combined with dietary surveys, population intakes have been determined. The present review assessed the uniformity of the analytical methods used, health claims permitted, recommendations and intakes, particularly from national surveys across Europe and around the world. It also assessed current knowledge on health effects of dietary fibre and related the impact of different fibre types on health. The overall intent was to be able to provide more detailed guidance on the types of fibre which should be consumed for good health, rather than simply a total intake figure, the current situation. Analysis of data indicated a fair degree of uniformity in the definition of dietary fibre, the method used for analysis, the recommended amount to be consumed and a growing literature on effects on digestive health and disease risk. However, national dietary survey data showed that intakes do not reach recommendations and very few countries provide guidance on the types of fibre that are preferable to achieve recommended intakes. Research gaps were identified and ideas suggested to provide information for more detailed advice to the public about specific food sources that should be consumed to achieve health benefits.

scholarly journals Content analysis of television food advertisements aimed at adults and children in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 2213-2220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zandile J Mchiza ◽  
Norman J Temple ◽  
Nelia P Steyn ◽  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Mario Clayford
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Viewing Time ◽  
Fast Foods ◽  
Food Advertisements ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Starchy Foods

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the frequency and content of food-related television (TV) advertisements shown on South African TV.DesignFour national TV channels were recorded between 15.00 and 21.00 hours (6 h each day, for seven consecutive days, over a 4-week period) to: (i) determine the number of food-related TV advertisements; and (ii) evaluate the content and approach used by advertisers to market their products. The data were viewed by two of the researchers and coded according to time slots, food categories, food products, health claims and presentation.ResultsOf the 1512 recorded TV advertisements, 665 (44 %) were related to food. Of these, 63 % were for food products, 21 % for alcohol, 2 % for multivitamins, 1 % for slimming products and 13 % for supermarket and pharmacy promotions. Nearly 50 % of food advertisements appeared during family viewing time. During this time the most frequent advertisements were for desserts and sweets, fast foods, hot beverages, starchy foods and sweetened drinks. The majority of the alcohol advertisements (ninety-three advertisements, 67 %) fell within the children and family viewing periods and were endorsed by celebrities. Health claims were made in 11 % of the advertisements. The most frequently used benefits claimed were ‘enhances well-being’, ‘improves performance’, ‘boosts energy’, ‘strengthens the immune system’ and ‘is nutritionally balanced’.ConclusionsThe majority of food advertisements shown to both children and adults do not foster good health despite the health claims made. The fact that alcohol advertisements are shown during times when children watch TV needs to be addressed.

Health Communication: Implications for Diverse Populations

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Amy Hasselkus
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Health Care Decisions ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Health Related

The need for improved communication about health-related topics is evident in statistics about the health literacy of adults living in the United States. The negative impact of poor health communication is huge, resulting in poor health outcomes, health disparities, and high health care costs. The importance of good health communication is relevant to all patient populations, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Efforts are underway at all levels, from individual professionals to the federal government, to improve the information patients receive so that they can make appropriate health care decisions. This article describes these efforts and discusses how speech-language pathologists and audiologists may be impacted.

Towards a European Food Composition Data Interchange Platform

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Bell ◽  
Heikki Pakkala ◽  
Michael P. Finglas
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Composition Data ◽  
European Committee ◽  
Food Properties ◽  
Data Interchange ◽  
Food Composition Data ◽  
Definition Of

Food composition data (FCD) comprises the description and identification of foods, as well as their nutrient content, other constituents, and food properties. FCD are required for a range of purposes including food labeling, supporting health claims, nutritional and clinical management, consumer information, and research. There have been differences within and beyond Europe in the way FCD are expressed with respect to food description, definition of nutrients and other food properties, and the methods used to generate data. One of the major goals of the EuroFIR NoE project (2005 - 10) was to provide tools to overcome existing differences among member states and parties with respect to documentation and interchange of FCD. The establishment of the CEN’s (European Committee for Standardisation) TC 387 project committee on Food Composition Data, led by the Swedish Standards Institute, and the preparation of the draft Food Data Standard, has addressed these deficiencies by enabling unambiguous identification and description of FCD and their quality, for dissemination and data interchange. Another major achievement of the EuroFIR NoE project was the development and dissemination of a single, authoritative source of FCD in Europe enabling the interchange and update of data between countries, and also giving access to users of FCD.

Internethandel und Werbung mit alkoholhaltigen Getränken: Versagen der industriellen Selbstkontrolle?

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 346-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Löbell-Behrends ◽  
Thomas Kuballa ◽  
Oliver el-Atma ◽  
Gerhard Marx ◽  
Dirk W. Lachenmeier
Keyword(s):  
Health Claims

Fragestellung: Der Internethandel und Internetwerbung bei alkoholhaltigen Getränken werfen neue Probleme für die Kontrolle dieser Produkte auf. Ein erster Überblick über das Angebot von alkoholhaltigen Getränken und deren Bewerbung im Internet soll gewonnen werden. </p><p> Methodik: Eine Recherche nach typischen Suchbegriffen erfolgte in Internetsuchmaschinen. Die ermittelten Produkte, Inhaltsstoffe und Werbeclaims wurden rechtlich bewertet. Einzelne Produkte wurden angefordert und chemisch-toxikologisch untersucht. </p><p> Ergebnisse: Allein im Bereich der Kräuterliköre wurden 64 auffällige Produkte festgestellt. Alkoholhaltige Getränke wurden mit irreführenden Werbeaussagen oder mit unzulässigen Health-Claims beworben. Deutliche Höchstmengenüberschreitungen des Aromastoffs Thujon in Absinth wurden ermittelt. Eine Reihe von offensichtlichen Nichtübereinstimmungen mit jugendschutzrechtlichen Regelungen oder Abweichungen von der Selbstverpflichtung der Industrie wurden festgestellt. </p><p> Schlussfolgerungen: Das Internetangebot von alkoholhaltigen Getränken muß einer wirksamen Kontrolle unterzogen werden. Eine Prüfung, ob die bislang freiwilligen Werbegrundsätze ausreichen, erscheint erforderlich.

Validity of the Elderly Behavior Assessment for Relatives (EBAR)

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Pezzuti ◽  
Caterina Laicardi ◽  
Marco Lauriola
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Behavior Assessment ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Behavior Rating Scale ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
State Examination

Summary: An Elderly Behavior Assessment for Relatives (EBAR), updating the GERRI ( Schwartz, 1983 ), was administered to relatives (or significant others) of 349 elderly persons, from 60 to over 80 years of age, living at home, in good health and without cognitive impairment. A trained psychologist administered subjects the Life Satisfaction for Elderly Scale (LSES), the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and personally answered to an overall elderly behavior rating scale (RA). EBAR items were first examined. The more attractive and less discriminative statements were excluded. A principal components analysis was carried out on the remaining EBAR items. Three factors were extracted. After varimax rotation they were tentatively labeled: Everyday Cognitive Functioning, Depression, and Hostility. Factor-driven EBAR subscales were designed, taking into account simpler items in the factor matrix. Results provide evidence for EBAR construct validity. Everyday Cognitive Functioning is connected to the IADL and the RA scores; Depression is very highly related to the LSES; Hostility is weakly related to RA, IADL, and MMSE, indicating that the scale needs further investigation.

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