Beyond The Headlines: NCOA calls out poverty among US elderly, Meals On Wheels gives US$1.8M for senior nutrition programs

15 Sep 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) sounded the alarm about rising poverty rates among the US’ aging population. Also, Meals on Wheels America gave grants to several local organizations to help provide nutritious meals to seniors. At the same time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action against illegally marketed eye health products.

In brief: Nutrition news
The NCOA stated concern over what it considers a consistent increase in poverty among US citizens 65 and over. The organization said the trend has continued for three consecutive years. NCOA notes that, according to the latest US census data, the poverty rate for older adults, measured by the Supplemental Poverty Measure, rose from 9.5% in 2020 to 10.7% in 2021 and reached 14.1% in 2022. The trend also extended to children, with child poverty increasing from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022. The organization further stated that potential solutions lie in government programs such as Social Security, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, housing subsidies and Supplemental Security Income, which it said has already helped millions of older adults escape poverty. To address this issue effectively, the NCOA emphasizes the need for political will and resources to ensure eligible individuals can access these programs. Additionally, it cited widespread bipartisan support for policies aimed at securing retirement, including adjusting Social Security benefits to account for housing and healthcare costs and increasing benefits above the federal poverty level.Meals On Wheels gave grants to help programs providing nutritious meals for the US elderly.

Meals on Wheels America gave a total of US$1.8 million to 96 local senior nutrition providers in its latest grant program, benefiting 150,000 older adults across 37 US states and one Canadian province. The grants aim to reach unserved and underserved seniors, enhance social connection programs and promote collaboration within the Meals on Wheels network. Furthermore, Meals on Wheels said the grants come as programs grapple with the increasing older adult population and associated costs, noting that many programs face funding challenges, resulting in waiting lists and service cutbacks. The grants are designed to fill these gaps and overcome barriers preventing senior nutrition programs from meeting their communities’ needs.

The US FDA took action against eight companies for marketing unapproved ophthalmic drug products, which is against federal law. The FDA said the actions are part of its ongoing efforts to protect the public from potentially dangerous eye products. Additionally, the FDA said the products in question are being illegally marketed for the treatment of conditions like conjunctivitis, cataracts and glaucoma. Some of the warning letters also address quality issues related to product sterility. The FDA stated it is particularly concerned because these unapproved products bypass natural defenses and pose a higher risk of harm to users when applied to the eyes. Moreover, some of the products contain silver, which, when used long-term, can cause skin and eye discoloration known as argyria. Additionally, it said that unapproved drugs that claim to treat serious conditions may lead consumers to delay or stop medically approved treatments.

In Brief: Business news
OmniActive Health Technologies launched its “Lutein for Every Age” national education awareness initiative. The program focuses on lutein and zeaxanthin’s potential benefits for eye and brain health and includes a children’s study, educational resources, expert insights from health advisors and actionable advice. The survey also found concerning statistics about children’s vision check-ups, nutritional gaps, and extensive digital device usage, emphasizing the importance of educating parents about holistic health practices for their children. The company further explains that, while research highlights the positive impact of a healthy diet on children’s mental health, cognitive skills and academic performance, a recent parent survey by OnePoll revealed several gaps in parents’ nutritional knowledge. For example, it found that parents often prioritize items like milk, apples and salmon for eye health, but experts recommend dark leafy greens like kale for their lutein and zeaxanthin content.Manna Pro introduced a range of treats for mini barnyard animals. (Image Credit: Manna Pro)

Kyowa Hakko USA expanded the availability of its postbiotic product, Immuse, to the Mexican market in partnership with pharmaceutical manufacturer Quifaest. Previously, Immuse was accessible to consumers in the US, Canada and Europe. The launch marked Kyowa Hakko’s first entry into the Mexican market, providing consumers in the country with a novel option for immune health support through ingredients backed by scientific research. The company spotlights that Immuse is supported by over 30 clinical studies, including 15 human trials, which have demonstrated its effectiveness as an immune activator.

Pet care and nutrition leader Manna Pro unveiled its Farmhouse Favorites treat line for mini pigs, pygmy goats, mini cattle, mini donkeys and mini horses. These treats, designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of these animals, are now available at Tractor Supply both online and in stores. The company said the treats are made from all-natural ingredients sourced from environmentally conscious North American farmers. The line includes peanut butter-flavored snacks for mini pigs, molasses and alfalfa treats for pygmy goats and mini cattle and oats and apple banana-flavored treats for mini horses and mini donkeys. Manna Pro said the treats aim to provide pet owners with nutritious options for rewarding and caring for their beloved mini barnyard animals.

Nutraceutical and cosmeceutical ingredients supplier Sabinsa expanded its global presence by opening a new office in Montpon-Ménéstérol, in southwest France. This addition to its EU offices aims to strengthen the company’s engagement with key industry stakeholders in France and neighboring French-speaking countries.Researchers in China discovered one of the roles breast milk plays in the infant gut microbiome.

In brief: Scientific studies
A study published in Nature Communications suggested that replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use-related greenhouse gas emissions by 31%. It also found that doing so could stop the degradation of forests and natural land around the world. Conducted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, the Alliance of Bioversity and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, in partnership with the US Agency for International Development – the study suggests that reforesting land spared from livestock production was not necessary when plant-based alternatives substitute meat and milk products could double climate benefits and halve future declines in ecosystem integrity by 2050. This could contribute up to 25% of the estimated global land restoration needs by 2030. The study highlighted the potential for plant-based meats to not only reduce emissions but also benefit biodiversity and food security, though it acknowledged the challenges in transitioning the food system.

A team of China-based researchers found evidence that breast milk proteins play a role in regulating the abundance of beneficial gut microbes in babies, indirectly impacting their immunity and metabolic development. Published in Frontiers in Microbiology, the study found that variations in the protein composition of breast milk between mothers explain much of the variation in the abundance of key beneficial microbes in the infants’ guts. For example, the concentration of K-casein in breast milk was linked to the abundance of Clostridium butyricum, known for regulating gut homeostasis. The researchers said the findings highlight the multifaceted role of breast milk in supporting infant health.

By William Bradford Nichols