- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- 'Safe' Ozone Levels May Not Be for Some
- Know Your Asthma Triggers
- New Spray Could Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Patients
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Fish Oil's Benefits Remain Elusive
- Placebo Acupuncture Tied to Higher IVF Pregnancies
- No Verdict Yet on Grape Seed Extract vs. Breast Cancer
- ANIMAL CARE
- Beware of Dog Bites
- Separation Anxiety, Canine-Style
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- BONES & JOINTS
- Soccer's a Winner for Building Bone Health in Girls
- A Winning Strategy to Beat Spring Sporting Injuries
- Tequila Plant May Help Fight Bone Loss
- CANCER
- Yoga Eases Sleep Problems Among Cancer Survivors
- Study Suggests Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Tumors
- Exercise Cuts Lung Cancer Risk in Ex-Smokers by 45%
- CAREGIVING
- Caregiving May Lengthen Life
- New Guidelines for Treating Heart Failure
- MRSA Infections Spreading to Kids in Community
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Bye, Bye Back Fat?
- Migraines in Pregnancy Boost Vascular Risks
- Support Network May Play Role in Benefits of Drinking
- COSMETIC
- Study Evaluates Laser Therapies for Hair Removal
- New Genetic Links to Baldness Discovered
- What to Do If You Have Unsightly Veins
- DENTAL, ORAL
- A Sweet Way to Shield Baby's Teeth
- Good Oral Hygiene May Protect Against Heart Infections
- Amino Acid May Be Key to Strong Teeth
- DIABETES
- Insulin Resistance Tied to Peripheral Artery Disease
- Diabetes Linked to Cognitive Problems
- Study Shows Turmeric May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Eating Nuts May Help Cholesterol Levels
- Fish Oil's Benefits Remain Elusive
- Soluble Fiber, But Not Bran, Soothes Irritable Bowel
- DISABILITIES
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Is It Safe to Go in the Gulf Coast's Water?
- Exposure to 9/11 Fumes Tied to Chronic Headaches
- Rainy Areas in U.S. Show Higher Autism Rates
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Antioxidant-Rich Diet May Protect Against Eye Disease
- Certain Diabetes Drugs May Pose Eye Risk
- Stem Cells Repair Damaged Corneas in Mice
- FITNESS
- Go To Work But Skip The Car
- Bursts of Vigorous Activity Appear to Be a 'Stress-Buffer'
- Exercise Key Player in Knee Replacement Recovery
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- New Guidelines Issued for Management of IBS
- Intestinal Bacteria Trigger Immune Response
- Traditional Nonsurgical GERD Treatments Not Impressive
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Multivitamins Might Prolong Life
- Have Fun This Summer, But DO Be Careful
- Household Insecticides May Be Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
- HEAD & NECK
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- The Internet Is Becoming One-Stop Shopping for Health Help
- Airport Full Body Scanners Pose No Health Threat: Experts
- Study Suggests Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Tumors
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Arteries Age Twice as Fast in Smokers
- Walk Long, Slow and Often to Help the Heart
- Years of Heavy Smoking Raises Heart Risks
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Swine Flu Loves a Crowd
- The HPV Vaccine: Preventative Medicine or Human Sacrifice?
- Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
- KID'S HEALTH
- 3 Home Habits Help Youngsters Stay Slim
- Backpack Safety Should Be on Back-to-School Lists
- Eating Fish, Breast-Feeding Boost Infant Development
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Countdown to Hair Loss
- Eating Fast Until Full Triples Overweight Risk
- Strenuous Daily Workout May Keep Cancer at Bay
- MENTAL HEALTH
- How to Attack Holiday Stress Head-On
- Consciousness Helps the Mind and Body Work Together
- Meditation, Yoga Might Switch Off Stress Genes
- PREGNANCY
- Prenatal Stress May Boost Baby's Asthma Risk
- Acupuncture May Ease Depression During Pregnancy
- Pregnant Women Exposed To Certain Pollutants Could Lower Childs IQ
- SENIORS
- 15-Point Test Gauges Alzheimer's Risk
- Common Antioxidant Might Slow Parkinson's
- Money May Matter, Health-Wise, in Old Age
Functional Foods Uncovered
By eHolistic.com Published: 09/01/2008
From calcium-fortified orange juice to acai-spiked smoothies, functional foods have slowly become a mainstream part of our modern food supply. It seems healthy, natural and organic are not enough anymore as companies are adding additional claims to help differentiate their products in a competitive market place. The Nutrition Business Journal, a trade publication that tracks functional foods, defines functional food as “any modified food or food ingredients that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains.” This has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the food industry. But often times, functional food label claims do not tell the whole story of what’s in the product. Ingredients like refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, or artificial ingredients may be hidden behind healthy catch phrases.
The origin of functional foods in the U.S. can be traced back to the 1920’s, when iodine was added to salt to prevent goiters. Credited with starting the current movement, the Japanese government began implementing an official approval system for functional foods in 1991. In Japan, “Food for Specified Health Use” or FOSHU are approved products that make specific health claims on product labels. There were 755 FOSHU approved products in Japan at the end of 2007. In an attempt to capture the market share in healthy foods, many products in the U.S. are being marketed in a similar vein. While there are specific FDA-approved health claims companies can use, most will utilize the loophole of a “structure-or-function claim”, a claim that a food can affect the structure or function of the body. This does not require FDA approval. The reality is most functional foods have not been clinically tested or the claims are loosely supported by clinical data.
When it comes to making food choices these days, many people find themselves in the midst of a marketing circus. This can be seen in the popularity of yogurt and yogurt drinks with added probiotics, juices and teas with added herbs and super foods, and omega-3 enriched table spreads. With companies making alluring and sometimes-outrageous claims, it is ultimately up to the consumer to figure out what is best for them. Therefore, it is imperative to read the Nutrition Facts Label and ingredients list when judging the overall quality of a product. For example, look for naturally processed sweeteners (unrefined cane juice powder, agave, fruit juices, and rice syrup) over chemically processed sweeteners (white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup) and artificial sweeteners. But most importantly, don't forget about nature's "functional foods". Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and quality protein ultimately provide the best support for the structure and function of the body. And best of all, no labels, advertising, or marketing gimmicks are needed!
-Dr. Christine Gonzalez (Integrative PharmD, CHC)