Priority Micronutrient Density in Foods

Beal, Ty; Ortenzi, Flaminia

doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.806566

Cited by 59 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Thus, perturbations to one-carbon metabolism can impact maternal and neonatal health [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. Humans require dietary folate to maintain different functional aspects of the one-carbon metabolic pathway, whether in the form of non-synthetic folates, obtained from food such as dark leafy greens, eggs, and liver or acquired from FA, a synthetic form, obtained from fortified foods or supplements [ 56 , 57 ]. Unlike non-synthetic folate, FA requires reduction via dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) to dihydrofolate (DHF) and sequentially tetrahydrofolate (THF) [ 58 ].…”

Section: Folate and One-carbon Metabolism In Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 99%

High Folate, Perturbed One-Carbon Metabolism and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

et al. 2022

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Folate is a dietary micronutrient essential to one-carbon metabolism. The World Health Organisation recommends folic acid (FA) supplementation pre-conception and in early pregnancy to reduce the risk of fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). Subsequently, many countries (~92) have mandatory FA fortification policies, as well as recommendations for periconceptional FA supplementation. Mandatory fortification initiatives have been largely successful in reducing the incidence of NTDs. However, humans have limited capacity to incorporate FA into the one-carbon metabolic pathway, resulting in the increasingly ubiquitous presence of circulating unmetabolised folic acid (uFA). Excess FA intake has emerged as a risk factor in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Several other one-carbon metabolism components (vitamin B12, homocysteine and choline-derived betaine) are also closely entwined with GDM risk, suggesting a role for one-carbon metabolism in GDM pathogenesis. There is growing evidence from in vitro and animal studies suggesting a role for excess FA in dysregulation of one-carbon metabolism. Specifically, high levels of FA reduce methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity, dysregulate the balance of thymidylate synthase (TS) and methionine synthase (MTR) activity, and elevate homocysteine. High homocysteine is associated with increased oxidative stress and trophoblast apoptosis and reduced human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) secretion and pancreatic β-cell function. While the relationship between high FA, perturbed one-carbon metabolism and GDM pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, here we summarise the current state of knowledge. Given rising rates of GDM, now estimated to be 14% globally, and widespread FA food fortification, further research is urgently needed to elucidate the mechanisms which underpin GDM pathogenesis.

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Section: Folate and One-carbon Metabolism In Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 99%

High Folate, Perturbed One-Carbon Metabolism and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

et al. 2022

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“…The nutrient adequacy thus increased with the intake of these food groups. Other authors have analyzed which food categories should be prioritized to fill common micronutrient gaps, and found animal sources only, except dark green leafy vegetables ( 55 ). Similarly, previous study has pointed out the importance of animal protein sources in the nutrient intake ( 11 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant and Animal Protein Intakes Largely Explain the Nutritional Quality and Health Value of Diets Higher in Plants: A Path Analysis in French Adults

et al. 2022

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Diets higher in plants are associated with lower risks of chronic diseases. However, animal foods, which are rich in protein, are also rich in some important minerals and vitamins. Using data from a representative survey in France (INCA3, n = 1,125), we used path analyses as a mediation-like approach to decipher the importance of plant and animal proteins in the relationship between the plant-based diet index (PDI) and diet quality. We used three types of diet quality scores, namely, nutrient security, positive nutrient adequacy, and long-term mortality risk of four diet-related diseases (i.e., coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer). We identified positive and negative mediations, i.e., changes in plant/animal protein intake that are associated with changes in PDI, and favor or limit the association with the diet quality score. The PDI was positively associated with the risk of long-term mortality but not significantly with nutrient adequacy or nutrient security. A positive mediation by plant protein was found for all diet quality scores (specific indirect effects (SIEs) ranging from 0.04 to 0.10 SD). Conversely, the association between PDI and nutrient adequacy (but not nutrient security) was negatively mediated by animal protein intake (SIE: −0.06 SD). In further detailed models, the association between PDI and diet quality was mainly positively mediated by protein foods from the fruit-vegetables-legumes group (0.01 SD for the nutrient security and 0.02 SD for the nutrient adequacy) and whole grains (0.02 SD for the nutrient adequacy). Our data suggest that the positive impact of plant-based diets on diet quality is largely driven by higher intakes of plant protein foods, especially from fruits-vegetables-legumes and whole grains. Conversely, lower animal protein intake tends to limit the positive impact of plant-based diets on overall positive nutrient adequacy but not security. Protein sources appear critical to healthy plant-based diets.

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“…A nutrient-rich diet is essential to improve pregnancy outcomes [ 3 ], promote optimal growth and development in childhood [ 4 ], and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases in later life [ 5 ]. Around 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies worldwide, with populations of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) known to be affected the most [ 1 , 6 ]. Traditional LMIC diets built around starchy staples often lack micronutrients that are essential for optimal health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Affordable Nutrient Density in Brazil: Nutrient Profiling in Relation to Food Cost and NOVA Category Assignments

et al. 2022

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Affordable nutrient density is provided by low-cost and nutrient-rich foods. We explored nutrient density, cost, and NOVA category assignments within and across food groups in Brazil. The nutrient density of the foods (n = 591) was assessed using the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF9.3) based on protein, fiber, vitamin A (RAE), vitamin C, vitamin E (mg), Ca, Fe, K and Mg; and NRF6.3 score for priority nutrients: Ca, Fe, Zn, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate. Nutrients to limit (LIM) were saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium. Affordability was defined as the ratio of energy and/or nutrient density of foods and retail price per 100 kcal. Foods were classified as minimally processed (n = 106), processed (n = 188), ultra-processed (n = 286), and culinary ingredients (n = 11). Nutrient density was positively linked to per 100 kcal food cost. Ultra-processed foods (UPF) contained more energy, fat, sugar, and salt and had lower NRF scores compared to minimally processed (MPF) foods. UPF was also less expensive than MPF foods. Nutrient-rich foods below the median per 100 kcal costs included MPF foods, but also processed foods (PF) and UPF. Affordable nutrient-rich foods can be found in the different categories of the NOVA classification.

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Priority Micronutrient Density in Foods

Cited by 59 publications

References 49 publications

High Folate, Perturbed One-Carbon Metabolism and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

High Folate, Perturbed One-Carbon Metabolism and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Plant and Animal Protein Intakes Largely Explain the Nutritional Quality and Health Value of Diets Higher in Plants: A Path Analysis in French Adults

Affordable Nutrient Density in Brazil: Nutrient Profiling in Relation to Food Cost and NOVA Category Assignments

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