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Cross-secional study to map nutritional quality of meat, fish, and dairy alternatives in Dutch supermarkets according to the Dutch food-based dietary guidelines and nutri-score

Due to a growing challenge to feed the world’s population and an increased awareness to minimize the impact of our food choices on climate change, a more plant-based diet has gained popularity with a growing number of plant-based products on the market. To stimulate a plant-based diet that also improves long-term health, data are needed to monitor whether these products are healthy alternatives to animal-based foods. Therefore, this study inventoried 916 plant-based meat, fish, and dairy alternatives from eight Dutch supermarkets. The nutritional quality of each product was assessed by (1) the Dutch food-based dietary guidelines and (2) the Nutri-Score. The results show that over 70% of meat, fish, and dairy alternatives have an A/B Nutri-Score (indicating high nutritional quality), but do not comply with the Dutch dietary guidelines. This is mainly due to high salt and low vitamin B12 and iron content (meat and fish alternatives) or low protein and calcium levels (dairy alternatives). In conclusion, the majority of plant-based products are nutritionally not full alternatives of the animal-based equivalents; however, there are still opportunities for reformulation. To aid the consumer in making healthy plant-based food choices, a better alignment between the Nutri-Score and the recommended dietary guidelines is needed.

SUN-P297 : The role of calcium, iron magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults

Minerals and sarcopenia; the role of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults

INTRODUCTION: Minerals may contribute to prevent and treat sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. So far, there is no comprehensive review on the impact of minerals on sarcopenia outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the role of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults.METHODS: A systematic search was conducted between March 2016 and July 2016, in the PubMed database using predefined search terms. Articles on the role of dietary mineral intake or mineral serum concentrations on muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, and/or the prevalence of sarcopenia in healthy or frail older adults (average age ≥ 65 years) were selected. Only original research publications were included. The search and data extraction were conducted in duplicate by 2 independent researchers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was followed in constructing this systematic review. The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to evaluate the quality of the selected articles.RESULTS: From the 3346 articles found, a total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Observational studies showed that serum selenium (n = 1) and calcium intake (n = 1) were significantly associated with muscle mass, and magnesium (n = 1), selenium (n = 1), iron (n = 1), and zinc (n = 1) intake were significantly and positively associated with physical performance in older adults. Furthermore, magnesium (n = 2), selenium (n = 2), calcium (n = 2), and phosphorus (n = 1) intake were associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia. Magnesium supplementation improved physical performance based on one randomized controlled trial. No studies on the role of sodium or potassium on muscle mass, muscle strength, or physical performance were found.CONCLUSION: Minerals may be important nutrients to prevent and/or treat sarcopenia. Particularly, magnesium, selenium, and calcium seem to be most promising. Most of the included studies, however, were observational studies. Therefore, more randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of mineral intake to prevent and/or treat sarcopenia and support healthy aging.

SUN-P297 - Minerals and sarcopenia; the role of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults

Rationale: Minerals may contribute to prevent and treat sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the role of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted between March 2016 and July 2016, in the PubMed database using pre-defined search terms. Articles on the role of dietary mineral intake or mineral serum concentrations on muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, and the prevalence of sarcopenia in healthy or frail older adults (average age ≥ 65 years) were selected. Meta-analyses statistic will be performed when possible.Results: From the 3346 articles found, ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Observational studies showed that serum selenium and calcium intake were significantly associated with muscle mass. Magnesium, based on one randomized controlled trial, selenium, iron, and zinc intake were significantly and positively associated with physical performance in older adults. Magnesium, selenium, calcium, and phosphorus intake were associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia. No studies on the role of sodium or potassium on muscle mass, muscle strength, or physical performance were found. Meta-analysis was not possible due to high heterogeneity.Conclusion: Minerals may be important nutrients to prevent and treat sarcopenia. Particularly, magnesium, selenium, and calcium seem to be most promising. Most of the included studies, however, were observational studies. Therefore, more randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of mineral intake to prevent and treat sarcopenia and support healthy aging.

Calcium Regulation Assignment: Alternative Styles in Successfully Learning About Biological Mechanisms

We have developed a pedagogical approach wherein learners acquire systems thinking skills and content knowledge by constructing qualitative representations. In this paper, we focus on how learners learn about the biological mechanisms of calcium regulation by constructing such a representation, how they interact with the software, and the effect on learning outcomes. The software contains various functionalities to support learners, and a workbook guides them through the process. Cluster analysis of learners’ use of the software categorizes them into three styles, which we have labelled: exploratory, comprehensive, and efficient. Learning outcomes are evaluated through pre- and post-tests and show overall improvement on systems thinking skills and content knowledge. No significant differences in outcome are observed between the interaction styles of learners. This implies that constructing qualitative representations effectively increases learners’ systems thinking skills and understanding of calcium regulation, regardless of their interaction style.

Protein, Calcium, Vitamin D Intake and 25(OH)D Status in Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obese Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aging process is often accompanied by increase in body weight. Older adults with overweight or obesity might have an overconsumption in energy that is accompanied by inadequate intake of protein, vitamin D, and calcium. It is unclear if intake of protein and vitamin D and calcium is sufficient in older adults with overweight/obesity, and whether it differs from older adults with normal weight, since a recent overview of the literature review is lacking. Therefore, we systematically analyzed the current evidence on differences in nutrient intake/status of protein, vitamin D and calcium between older adults with different body mass index (BMI) categories. Randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies were identified from PubMed and EMBASE. Studies reporting nutrient intake/status in older adults aged ≥50 years with overweight/obesity and studies comparing between overweight/obesity and normal weight were included. Nutrient intake/status baseline values were reviewed and when possible calculated for one BMI category (single-group meta-analysis), or compared between BMI categories (meta-analysis). Nutrient intake/status was compared with international recommendations. Mean protein (N = 8) and calcium intake (N = 5) was 0.98 gram/kilogram body weight/day (g/kg/d) [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.89–1.08] and 965 mg [95% CI: 704–1225] in overweight/obese. Vitamin D intake was insufficient in all BMI categories (N = 5). The pooled mean for vitamin D intake was 6 ug [95% CI 4–9]. For 25(OH)D, the pooled mean was 54 nmol/L [95% CI 45–62], 52 nmol/L [95% CI 46–58], and 48 nmol/l [95% CI 33–62] in normal (N = 7), combined overweight and obese (N = 12), and obese older adults (N = 4), respectively. In conclusion, older adults with overweight and obesity have a borderline sufficient protein and sufficient calcium intake, but insufficient vitamin D intake. The 25(OH)D concentration is deficient for the obese older adults.