Nutrition information sources

The NRC subcommittees prepare extensive critical reviews when updating nutrient requirements for different species. Their reports probably have the broadest consensus of any available sources of nutritional information. 

In 1958 Smith and Hungate (17) described Methanobacterium rumi-nantium, which was present in large numbers in rumen content, and although detailed nutritional studies were not done, they showed that it required unknown growth factors which were present in rumen fluid but not found in many other nutritious materials such as yeast extract or peptones. In more recent studies, we confirmed and extended the nutritional information on M. ruminantium 23), and others have shown that other species require organic growth factors different from those required as energy source (16, 24). 

Dietary recommendations change frequently as new data become available. Current Dietary Recommendations are available from the following sources Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library, USDA (www.fns.usda.gov) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center (www.nhlbi.nih.gov) American Heart Association (www.Americanheart.org) American Institute for Cancer Research (www.aicr.org) and the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org). Another reliable source for nutrition information on die internet is wwwjiavigator.tufts.edu. 

There are four groupings of the U.S. RDAs. (See NUTRIENTS REQUIRFMFNTS, ALLOWANCES, EUNCTIONS, SOURCES.) The best known, and the one that will E)e used on most nutrition information panels and most mineral and vitamin supplements, is for adults and children over 4 years of age, shown in Table E-12. The second is for infants up to 1 year, and the third is for children under 4 years. These two will be used on infant formulas, baby foods, and other foods appropriate for these ages as well as vitamin-mineral supplements intended for their use. The fourth is for pregnant women or women who are nursing their babies. 

They are usually costly. Most foods and supplements used by faddists are expensive. Each year, Americans spend an estimated 2 billion on special foods, food supplements, and health lectures and literature. Today, conditions are ripe for fast operators to make a quick buck. Many people have become health conscious. The elderly, the adolescent, the obese, the people whose living depends on their physical appearance, and the sickly are looking for a quick fix and the charlatans happily accommodate them as they outsell reliable sources of nutrition information. As a result, many quacks, whose products and sales pitches are reminiscent of the medicine men of old, have developed a thriving business, pawning off a myriad of potions, cure-alls, and tonics. 

Nutrition Education Sources. Sound nutrition information should be disseminated through good books and the news media. 

Nutritional Value of Milk Products. Milk is considered one of the principal sources of nutrition for humans. Some people are intolerant to one or more components of milk so must avoid the product or consume a treated product. One example is intolerance to lactose in milk. Fluid milk is available in which the lactose has been treated to make it more digestible. The consumption of milk fat, either in fluid milk or in products derived from milk, has decreased markedly in the 1990s. Whole milk sales decreased 12% between 1985 and 1988, whereas the sales of low fat milk increased 165%, and skimmed milk sales increased 48% (35). Nutritionists have recommended that fat consumed provide no more than 30 calories, and that consumption of calories be reduced. Generally, a daily diet of 2000—3000 cal/d is needed depending on many variables, such as gender, type of work, age, body responses, exercise, etc. Further, there is concern about cholesterol [57-88-5] and density of fat consumed. Complete information on the nutritive value of milk and milk products is provided on product labels (36) (see also Table 4). 

Information about a food s potassium content is required on the nutrition facts panel only if the food contains added potassium as a nutrient or if claims about it as a nutrient appear on the label. In all other cases, it is voluntary. The recommended daily value for potassium is 3500 mg. The following labels have been designated for foods high potassium (700 mg or more per serving) good source of potassium (350—665 mg per serving) more or added potassium (at least 350 mg more per serving than the reference food) (43). 

Feeding studies. Although sweet potatoes are a significant source of calories in many parts of the world, very little information is available concerning the nutritional quality of sweet potato protein as determined by controlled feeding studies in humans. 

When a particular food product is the sole source for nutrition, it is imperative that the amino acid profile be known. This information must be used to determine that the limiting (relative to metabolic need) amino acid is being supplied in sufficient quantity. A prime example of this category is infant formula. 

The medical use of botanicals in their natural and unprocessed form undoubtedly began when the first intelligent animals noticed that certain food plants altered particular body functions. Much information exists about the historical use and effectiveness of botanical products. Unfortunately, the quality of this information is extremely variable. One of the most complete compendiums of clinical recommendations regarding the use of botanicals is the Report of the German Commission E (a committee that sets standards for herbal medications in that country Blumenthal, 2000). Interest in the endocrine effects and possible nutritional benefits of certain purified chemicals such as dehydroepiandrosterone. melatonin, high-dose vitamins, and minerals has led to a parallel development of consumer demand for such substances. These substances, together with the botanicals, constitute a substantial source of profits for those who exploit the concept of "alternative medicine."... 

Physicochemical incompatibilities are of particular concern when parenteral administration is planned. For example, when calcium and phosphate ion concentrations are excessively high in a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution, precipitation will occur. Similarly, the simultaneous administration of antacids or products high in metal content may compromise the absorption of many drugs in the intestine, eg, tetracyclines. The package insert and the Handbook on Injectable Drugs (Trissel 2003) are good sources for this information. 

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