Health promoting components

Tree nuts, tree nut oils, and tree nut byproducts (defatted meals and hulls) are known to contain several bioactive and health-promoting components. Epidemiological evidence indicates that the consumption of tree nuts may exert several cardioprotective effects, which are speculated to derive from their lipid component that includes unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and tocols (4). Recent investigations... 

Stanton, C. (2000). "CLA A Health-Promoting Component of Animal and Milk Fat. End of Project Report." The Dairy Products Research Centre Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. DPRC No. 26, pp. 1-13. 

The detailed overview on the nutritional composition and health promoting components of hazelnut provided in this chapter summarizes the existing knowledge and appreciation for the use of hazelnut and its products in a variety of food and specialty products. Besides nutritional value and health aspects, the presence of taste- and aroma-active components contribute to the sensory characteristics of products. Thus, better taste and aroma/flavor of hazelnut may increase the consumption of this nutritionally important nut, as discussed in this chapter. In addition, characteristics of raw (natural) hazelnut as well as its health promotion and disease prevention aspects are given in detail. Aroma-active components of roasted hazelnut are also discussed. 

Fat is a key component in the human diet. Research shows that excessive consumption of saturated fat negatively impacts several biomarkers of health while monounsaturated and n-3 PUFAs are beneficial to human health. Moreover, research shows that imbalanced dietary ratios of n-6 n-3 may lead to various health complications as well as disease progression while increased n-3 levels impart prevention and health promoting effects (Burghardt et al., 2010 Goodstine et al., 2003 Simopoulos, 2002 Wan et al., 2010). The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish meals at least twice a week due to their promising health and especially cardiovascular benefits. Here, we review some of the health benefits of n-3 PUFAs, due in part to their anti-inflammatory effects in cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity, and other metabolic disorders. 

The health-promoting effect of lactobacilli was first hypothesized by Metchnikoff at the beginning of the last century (Metchnikoff 1905). In the last four decades there have been growing attempts to improve the health status of the indigenous intestinal flora by living microbial adjuncts, probiotics. Salminen and coworkers (1999) proposed that probiotics are microbial cell preparations or components of microbial cells that have beneficial effect on the health and well-being of the host. The probiotics do not have to be viable as nonviable forms of probiotics have also been shown to exert health-promoting effect. 

The development of health-promoting foods is likely to entail increasing use of different protein sources known to contain bioactive components. They may be natural constituents of plant or animal origin, or genetically modified or transferred from another source. It is likely that, in the future, more and more traditional food products will appear on the market, containing... 

A Nutraceutical is any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health benefits. Nutraceutical products are also known as functional foods. Inulin-containing foods have long been known to be beneficial for health. Inulin is fermented in the colon, selectively altering the microflora present (Gibson et al., 1995). Bifidobacteria, a genus considered to have health-promoting properties, displaces a number of undesirable microbes. Inulin is a component of many probiotic food supplements (see Section 6.1.3). 

Recent developments in the area of oils and fats has led to the production of specialty lipids from novel sources such as fruit seeds, nuts, and other minor plant sources. In addition, preparation of structured lipids for a myriad of applications has been of interest. Minor components of oils and fats may be isolated during processing and used as nutraceutical and functional food ingredients. Examples are lecithin, phytosterols, tocopherols, and tocotrienols, among others. Obviously, the health-promoting potential of such products is also of interest. 

Sesame Oil Sesame oil has traditionally been used in eastern Asian countries, especially China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It has been prized for its nutritive and health-promoting values. Sesame oil, prepared from roasted sesame seeds, has a distinctive flavor and a long shelflife (86). Several studies have been reported on the flavor components of sesame oil (87-91). The amount of volatile flavor compounds in sesame oil is greatly affected by the roasting process. It has been reported that the ratio of the amount of volatile components in deep-roasted oils was increased by 2-7 times in deep-roasted oil as compared with that of light-roasted oils (90). 

Dr. Elizabeth Short of the Veterans Administration (VA) Central Office has stated, Primary care is the coordinated, interdisciplinary provision of health care that consists of health promotion, disease prevention, comprehensive management of acute and chronic medical and mental health conditions, and patient education. A primary care physician coordinates access to and integration of other components of health care, such as inpatient, longterm, or subspecialty care, and psychosocial support. Un-... 

Health promotion and social mobilization are major components of the National IDD Elimination Program that are mostly coordinated and carried out by the health sector in collaboration with other sectors. One of the main activities of the program has been the IDD Day in May of each year that involves all levels of government and the whole of civil society, and each year the event has a main theme. In May 2000, the 7th National IDD Day coincided with the launch of the Australia—China Tibet IDD Elimination Project in Lhasa, capital of the TAR. Since then a major advocacy event is planned around the IDD Day focusing on a specific province/autonomous region where the goal of IDD control is yet to be achieved. 

Actinidia fruits contain several types of carotenoids, including violaxanthin, neoxanthin, lutein, and (3-carotene, which are identical components to those generally found in green leaves (Cano, 1991 McGhie and Ainge, 2002 Montefiori et al, 2005 Nishiyama et al, 2005, 2007). These carotenoids are important both as colorants and as health-promoting constituents. After ingestion, p-carotene is converted in vivo into vitamin A, which is necessary for normal retinal function. Carotenoids have potent antioxidant activity... 

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