A scheme for a flexible classification of dietary and health biomarkers

Abstract

Biomarkers are an efficient means to examine intakes or exposures and their biological effects and to assess system susceptibility. Aided by novel profiling technologies, the biomarker research field is undergoing rapid development and new putative biomarkers are continuously emerging in the scientific literature. However, the existing concepts for classification of biomarkers in the dietary and health area may be ambiguous, leading to uncertainty about their application. In order to better understand the potential of biomarkers and to communicate their use and application, it is imperative to have a solid scheme for biomarker classification that will provide a well-defined ontology for the field. In this manuscript, we provide an improved scheme for biomarker classification based on their intended use rather than the technology or outcomes (six subclasses are suggested: food compound intake biomarkers (FCIBs), food or food component intake biomarkers (FIBs), dietary pattern biomarkers (DPBs), food compound status biomarkers (FCSBs), effect biomarkers, physiological or health state biomarkers). The application of this scheme is described in detail for the dietary and health area and is compared with previous biomarker classification for this field of research.

Nutrimetabolomics: An Integrative Action for Metabolomic Analyses in Human Nutritional Studies

“…Therefore the term ‘biomarker’ needs to be defined because it is used with different meanings in different scientific communities. The FoodBAll consortium has recently defined biomarkers as “objective measure used to characterize the current condition of a biological system” . In particular, three major categories of markers are presented in this position paper: i) exposure and intake biomarkers, reflecting the level of extrinsic variables that humans are exposed to, such as diets and food compounds, including nutrients and non‐nutrients; ii) effect biomarkers, referring to the functional response of the human body to an exposure; and, finally iii) susceptibility or host factor biomarkers, representing the individual susceptibility or resilience to an exposure predicting the intensity of its effect on the individual.…”

“…In particular, three major categories of markers are presented in this position paper: i) exposure and intake biomarkers, reflecting the level of extrinsic variables that humans are exposed to, such as diets and food compounds, including nutrients and non‐nutrients; ii) effect biomarkers, referring to the functional response of the human body to an exposure; and, finally iii) susceptibility or host factor biomarkers, representing the individual susceptibility or resilience to an exposure predicting the intensity of its effect on the individual. Gao et al . propose a scheme with six subclasses of biomarkers based on their intended use, rather than the technology or outcomes.…”

“…Confusion in terminology should nonetheless be avoided and an appropriate use of the terms of the ‘biomarker’ family across the life sciences requires from experts in food, diet, and nutrition to be precise in defining what is meant when using this generic term. In line with the recommendation of the FoodBAll consortium, the remaining of this section will use the term food intake biomarker (FIB) and effect biomarker …”

“…With a rapidly growing number of excellent studies that identify food‐specific metabolite markers, there is the perspective that food metabolomics will transform the sciences relying on food consumption data. The FoodBall consortium will certainly have its share here …”

Metabolomics‐Based Dietary Biomarkers in Nutritional Epidemiology—Current Status and Future Opportunities

“…A complete review of these putative biomarkers and examination of their validity is underway by the FoodBall consortium (http://foodmetabolome.org/). Furthermore, a new flexible classification scheme for biomarkers related to food intake has been recently presented . With this in mind, the present review will not discuss an exhaustive list of potential biomarkers but rather focus on the potential use of well validated dietary biomarkers in nutritional epidemiology.…”