Standardizing Method and Development of Normal Values to Measure Human Small Intestinal and Colonic Permeability

/in /by

Maintaining—or restoring to normal—gut barrier function is not currently recognized as a physiologic benefit of fiber consumption, in part due to lack of agreement by experts in the field on how to define and measure normal gut barrier function in human nutrition research. An IAFNS sponsored expert panel published an article in 2019 summarizing the foundational science related to normal gut structure and function as well as how to measure it. The panel’s recommended next step is to standardize a method for measuring gut permeability in human subjects and apply the method to initiate the process of quantifying the range of distribution in the general healthy public. The objective is to assess whether variation in the range of fiber representing typical to recommended intakes in the American diet is a critical factor in establishing this standardized method.

Institution: Mayo Clinic
Principal Investigator: Michael Camilleri
Date: 2019

Read more: Development and Validation of Test for 'Leaky Gut' Small Intestinal and Colonic Permeability Using Sugars in Healthy Adults

View this project on the Center for Open Science's Open Science Framework.

This project is supported by the IAFNS Carbohydrates Committee.

Metabolic and Physiological Properties of Rare Sugars Review Paper

/in /by

Rare sugars are monosaccharides or disaccharides that exist in small quantities in nature and have unique metabolic and physiological properties that help distinguish them from more commonly consumed sugars like fructose and glucose. Due to their unique properties, rare sugars offer potential health benefits as part of an overall healthy diet pattern, including slower intestinal absorption rate, lower caloric contribution, improved glycemic response, prebiotic function and lower risk of tooth decay. However, the scientific literature does not contain a publication that highlights potential physiological benefits and describes the unique properties of several rare sugars within a single document. The aim of this work is to develop a narrative overview summarizing the metabolic and physiological properties of uniquely metabolized sugars as compared to the primary monosaccharides and disaccharides in the diet.

Institution: Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis & Clinical Trials Foundation
Principal Investigator: John Sievenpiper, PhD
Year: 2019

Read more: Rare Sugars and their Health Effects in Humans: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of the Evidence from Human Trials

View this project on the Center for Open Science’s Open Science Framework.

This project was supported by the IAFNS Carbohydrates Committee.

Global Comparison of How Short-Term Blood Glucose Response to Food is Measured and Translated

/in /by

The wide range of methods used to describe the impact of food on short-term glycemic response makes it challenging to apply research results broadly, including but not limited to its use on food labels. The choice of approach should be informed by selecting a validated method that translates into a meaningful consumer and public health message. Informed decision-making, rather than historical use, can lead to increased global consistency in both choice of method and translation on labels. The aim of this project is to define short-term glycemic response, collect various measurement methods, and create tables that reflect those methods and possible messages.

Institution: Paula Trumbo, PhD
Principal Investigator: Paula Trumbo, PhD
Year Awarded: 2019

Read more: Global Evaluation of the Use of Glycaemic Impact Measurements to Food or Nutrient Intake

This project is supported by the IAFNS Carbohydrates Committee.

Effect of the Use of Potassium-Based Sodium Replacers on Sodium and Potassium Intakes of the US Population

/in /by

Sodium intake in the US population exceeds recommendations, and efforts have long been underway to reduce the amount of sodium in foods. Salt in the form of NaCl is the largest source of sodium in processed foods. Given the particular roles NaCl plays in foods (functional, taste, food preservation), it is difficult to remove it either entirely or in large part. Potassium chloride (KCl) is one of the most effective tools for NaCl replacement, due to its ability to perform many of the functional roles of NaCl, and thus, sodium reduction in foods. Replacement of NaCl with KCl would also have the greatest impact on potassium intake, compared to other NaCl or sodium containing ingredient (e.g. potassium bicarbonate vs. sodium bicarbonate) replacement options.

This switch has the potential to alter intakes of both sodium and potassium. There is evidence that the Na-K ratio of the diet is relevant in blood pressure physiology, but to what extent reformulation efforts have or could affect intake of these nutrients, and as a secondary question, health, is unknown. In addition, there is concern that expanding the use of KCl will lead to unsafe potassium intake levels for certain high-risk groups (e.g., those with chronic kidney disease instructed to limit potassium intake). Several of these questions could be clarified through a population-based intake assessment.

The project will be conducted in three steps: 1) Identify the primary contributors to sodium intake using the FDA voluntary sodium reduction guidance, and 2) develop practical and feasible replacement scenarios for the identified categories, and 3) assess US population intakes of sodium and potassium for these categories under two scenarios: a) 100% replacement of NaCl with KCl, and b) “practical and feasible” replacement for each food category.

Institution: Exponent
Principal Investigator: Mary Murphy, MS, RD; Carolyn Scrafford, PhD, MPH
Year Awarded: 2019

Read more: Potassium Chloride-Based Replacers: Modeling Effects on Sodium and Potassium Intakes of the US Population with Cross-Sectional Data from NHANES 2015–2016 and 2009–2010

Read more: Targeting the Dietary Na:K Ratio--Considerations for Design of an Intervention Study to Impact Blood Pressure

View this project on the Center for Open Science's Open Science Framework.

Learn more about the IAFNS Sodium Committee.

Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake

/in /by

Current dietary recommendations for protein intake are expressed as grams per kilogram of body weight in recognition of its role as the structural building blocks for lean body mass. Although FAO/WHO acknowledges that this recommendation is appropriate for those in the ideal weight-for-height ranges, it may not be appropriate for those who are overweight. This project will demonstrate a method to express protein intake in nutrition studies that removes confounding among overweight individuals.

Institution: Tufts University
Principal Investigators: Adela Hruby, PhD, MPH; Paul Jacques, DSc
Year Awarded: 2019

Read more: Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake

Learn more about the IAFNS Protein Committee.

Application of Acceptable Daily Intake Values in Nutrition Research Studies that Consider the Safety of Low-Calorie Sweeteners

/in /by

Several recent publications on the intake of low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) have compared intake data to the corresponding Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) values. This indicates a use of ADI that may not be appropriate, since ADI is not meant to be considered a threshold for a safety concern at one moment in time. This may lead to misunderstanding of the safety of LCSs, and affect the potential of LCSs as effective tools for lowering added sugar intake.

The proposed project aims to evaluate the trends in application of ADI to LCS intake data, health-related research, and international government documents/evaluations. The study is designed to test the hypothesis that there is an increasing misapplication of ADI as a type of “safety intake threshold” for particular age groups, and to discuss the ramifications of such a trend. This project should help researchers and clinicians better understand both what is meant by an ADI and what limitations exist for safety determinations when comparing LCS intake data to an ADI. It should also help clinicians to better understand the safety of LCSs and the level of expected risk with use in various life stages.

Institution: ToxStrategies, Inc.
Principal Investigator: Daniele Wikoff, PhD
Year Awarded: 2019

Read more: Use of Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) as a Health-Based Benchmark in Nutrition Research Studies that Consider the Safety of Low-Calorie Sweeteners (LCS): a Systematic Map

View this project on the Center for Open Science's Open Science Framework.

Learn more about the IAFNS Low-Calorie Sweeteners Committee.

Nutrient Adequacy and Diet Quality in a Randomized Controlled Trial with Normal and Higher Protein Intake

/in /by

Foods that are high in protein are often rich in other nutrients that are unique to specific categories of foods (e.g., iron in red meat, vitamin E in nuts). When individuals select a protein-containing food on a calorie-controlled diet, it is at the expense of other foods in the diet. It is unclear what foods or categories of foods are being displaced with higher dietary protein intakes, and what the impact of this is on overall diet quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate nutrient intakes and overall diet quality in women assigned to self-select a higher and normal protein diet during a one-year weight loss intervention.

Institution: Rutgers University
Principal Investigator: Sue Shapses, PhD, RD
Year Awarded: 2018

Read more:

Higher Protein Intake During Caloric Restriction Improves Diet Quality And Attenuates Loss Of Lean Body Mass

View this project on the Center for Open Science’s Open Science Framework.

Learn more about the IAFNS Protein Committee.

 

Impact of New Labeling for Daily Values on Total Nutrient Intakes from Foods and Beverages

/in /by

Changes to the Nutrition Facts Panel are underway following recently issued regulations by the FDA to correspond with current Institute of Medicine (IOM) Dietary Reference Intakes. However, the expected impact of this new labeling of Daily Values (DVs) on nutrient values is unknown. The objective of this project is to use the 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 NHANES cycle releases to evaluate the impact of new labeling DVs on total nutrient intakes from foods and beverages within the US population and among children and adults overall, as well as by age groups.

Institution: Medical University of South Carolina
Principal Investigators: Jill Newman, MS; Angela Malek, PhD
Year Awarded: 2018

Learn more about the IAFNS Fortification Committee.

Associations Between Blood Fatty Acids and Sleep Duration: A Pooled Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

/in /by

Sleep is a key lifestyle factor that both affects and is affected by diet. Data pooled from studies in the FORCE consortium will be examined to determine the relationship between blood fatty acid levels and either too much or too little sleep.

Institution: University of British Columbia
Principal Investigator: Rachel Murphy, PhD
Year Awarded: 2018

Read more: PUFA ω-3 and ω-6 Biomarkers and Sleep: A Pooled Analysis of Cohort Studies on Behalf of the Fatty Acids and Outcomes Research Consortium (FORCE)

This work was supported by IAFNS Dietary Lipids Committee.

Blood Fatty Acid Fingerprint to Predict Risk for Total Mortality

/in /by

Circulating levels of blood fatty acids are being used to stratify patients into risk categories with regard to the development of chronic disease and death. The fatty acids most clearly associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease (CDV) and for death from any cause are the marine omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. However, these are just two fatty acids representing a single fatty acid family. Is it possible to use all of the information in the 28-fatty acid profile – a “fingerprint”- to more accurately predict risk of mortality?

The aim of this project is to build a valid blood fatty acid fingerprint that predicts risk of total mortality more accurately than the current Framingham Risk Score. The Principal Investigator will use the Framingham Heart Study’s Offspring Cohort to build a blood fatty acid risk predictor for total mortality based on longitudinal data and compare the predictive power with the Framingham Risk Score.

Institution: OmegaQuant, LLC
Principal Investigator: William Harris, PhD
Year Awarded: 2018

Read more: Using an Erythrocyte Fatty Acid Fingerprint to Predict Risk of All-Cause Mortality: the Framingham Offspring Cohort

Learn more about the IAFNS Dietary Lipids Committee.