Beyond The Headlines: Choline found important for prenatal nutrition, NIH reveals key to health of premature infants

01 Sep 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) named choline as an important nutrient for intrauterine nutrition. Also, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that human fortified milk is an important nutritional element for prematurely born babies. At the same time, Feeding America announced that its latest campaign to draw attention to the issue of food and nutrition insecurity in the US would begin this September.

In brief: Nutrition news
P&G Health revealed that the EFSA officially recognized choline as an essential nutrient contributing to normal liver function in fetuses and exclusively breastfed infants. The recognition follows a comprehensive evaluation by EFSA upon P&G Health’s claim application. The company stressed that choline’s role in cell structure, signaling and lipid metabolism is already well established, but the EFSA’s validation is expected to impact public health policies and maternal nutrition recommendations. The company says that the recognition will likely raise awareness of the importance of choline-rich diets and supplementation for pregnant and lactating women to support optimal development and is commending the EFSA for its rigorous and evidence-based approach.The NIH found fortified human milk to be a key for bolstering nutrition in prematurely born infants.

Also, a NIH funded study found that extremely preterm infants who were fed fortified human milk showed enhanced growth in terms of length and head circumference compared to those fed unfortified human milk. Conducted by the University of Alabama, US, the study focused on infants born between 23 and 28 weeks. Although fortified human milk did not significantly affect fat-free mass, it did lead to increased growth rates and a reduction in head circumference. According to the researchers, these findings support further investigation into the potential benefits of human milk fortification for infants born at 28 weeks or earlier.

Meanwhile, Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks said it would designate September as “Hunger Action Month” to raise awareness and engagement around the issues of hunger and food and nutrition security. The campaign aims to emphasize the broader impact of food on people’s lives and highlight that a meal supports not only physical health, but also future prospects. The organization’s CEO underscored the significance of access to nutritious food for personal growth and community well-being since data showed that approximately one out of six US citizens sought charitable food assistance in 2022, and a recent report revealed that these challenges are ongoing. The organization further revealed that, on September 15, it will release an insights report on hunger challenges and solutions.

A joint study by BSM Partners and the US-based University of Illinois found that both grain-inclusive and grain-free diets for canines have no adverse impact on digestibility. The six-month research involved beagles and mixed-breed hounds and aimed to assess macronutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, and microbiota in response to various diets. The results indicated that all diets were highly digestible, refuting concerns about the potential negative effects of pulse-rich diets on digestibility. The study’s insights are expected to contribute to the broader understanding of canine health and nutrition and were published in the Journal of Animal Science.BSM Partners and the University of Illinois found no difference between grain-inclusive or grain canine diets.

In Brief: Business news
Hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) wellness player Veritas Farms successfully acquired Asystem – a wellness brand known for its science-forward supplements – as well as its product development arm, Asystem Labs. Veritas Farms stated that the acquisition is part of its strategy to expand beyond CBD and into the broader wellness industry by merging wellness-focused brands under its umbrella. Additionally, the company said that Asystem’s reputation for clinical, science-backed wellness products, TikTok viral items and prestigious partnerships – including those with Warner Bros. and Nordstrom – will enhance the combined entity’s growth prospects and revenue potential.

Effective September 5, ADM has been appointed a new SVP, general counsel, and secretary. The appointee, Regina Bynote Jones, will oversee the global legal and regulatory affairs, compliance initiatives, security operations and government relations efforts of the global agricultural and food processing company. Jones will join ADM’s executive council and will be based at the company’s Chicago headquarters, succeeding Cam Findlay, who is retiring.

In Brief: Product launches
Sports nutrition brand D2Fit Nutrition has introduced a multi-collagen pre-workout formula to support women’s energy, focus and endurance during workouts. The formula is available in three flavors – Strawberry Peach, Sour Gummy and Fruit Punch. Developed as an extension of its Dance2Fit fitness platform, D2Fit Nutrition’s multi-collagen pre-workout formula combines various collagen sources and flavors to enhance workout experiences while catering to individual preferences. The brand said its offerings also include diverse health and wellness tools that are tailored to meet women’s specific sports nutrition and fitness needs.Myota’s line of flavored drink blends provide the daily recommendation of prebiotic fiber. (Image Credit: Myota)

Gut health company Myota has introduced a range of flavored prebiotic fiber drink blends, designed to be mixed with water. Based on insights from co-founder Dr. Thomas Gurry’s research into the gut microbiome, the patented blends are available in two flavors – Cucumber, Lime and Mint, and Blood Orange and Ginger. Both offerings are low in sugar and calories, without artificial sweeteners. Additionally, Myota stated that each sachet contains the full recommended daily prebiotic fiber intake and are meant to address the inadequate prebiotic fiber consumption reported in over 90% of UK adults – which increases the risk of various chronic diseases. The blends promote gut microbiome health by producing short-chain fatty acids linked to reduced disease risks and improved gut function.

In brief: Scientific studies
A Stanford University study suggests that adding zinc to farmland soil could help prevent childhood stunting, a condition linked to chronic undernutrition causing poor brain development and lasting negative consequences. Published in Scientific Reports, the study examined the relationship between children’s health and soil mineral availability in India, where over a third of children under five years of age experience stunting. The research analyzed health data from nearly 300,000 children and one million women, alongside 27 million soil tests. The link between soil zinc and childhood stunting was particularly strong, suggesting the potential benefits of zinc-enriched fertilizers as health interventions in India and beyond.

Researchers from Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan revealed that extreme dietary habits involving carbohydrates and fats may impact life expectancy. Published in The Journal of Nutrition, the study explored the association between dietary intake and mortality risk in a cohort of 81,333 Japanese individuals over a nine-year period. The findings indicate that men with low carbohydrate intake and women with high carbohydrate intake are at a higher risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality. Conversely, high fat intake in women was inversely associated with the risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality. The study underscores the importance of balanced dietary choices and cautions against extreme carbohydrate or fat intake restrictions for promoting longevity.

By William Bradford Nichols