Project Number: 1235-51000-050-03
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Sep 01, 2007
End Date: Jun 30, 2012

Objective:
To investigate the role of nutrients and food components in human health, to determine their bioavailability from foods and mixed diets, to investigate their biological activity, and to examine their effects on risk factors for chronic, degenerative diseases. To validate survey instruments used in estimating dietary intake in the U.S. in investigations such as NHANES. To support linkages of nutrient databases to various applications which estimate nutrient intake. To determine dietary supplement ingredients in representative dietary supplements, methods by which they can be analyzed, and methods to determine contribution to total nutrient intake.

Approach:
Dietary intake of specific food components and/or nutrients from food and/or dietary supplements will be estimated for specific population groups, and the effects on reduction of chronic disease risk factors and maintenance of body weight of such intakes will be evaluated, taking into account genetic markers and expression. Diets designed to contain known amounts of essential nutrients and food components or foods such as vegetables high in specific phytonutrients, will be fed to human volunteers under controlled conditions of dietary intake, so that their effects on blood lipids, blood pressure, plasma constituents, urinary and fecal excretion, and measures of biological activity may be determined. Emphasis will be on determining role of nutrients and foods high in specific nutrients in maintaining health of adults through reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immunocompetence, cancer, and other degenerative diseases in adults, and the role genetic factors play. In order to make recommendations for improving diets in the U.S., it is essential to monitor nutrient intake in a reliable manner. Dietary recall instruments used in estimating nutrient intake will be validated by comparing energy intake from foods reported with that determined by research techniques such as doubly labeled water. Nutrient data needed to support application of such recommendations by consumers and others will be periodically updated.