Marine nutraceuticals and functional food

Summary

The video script explores the connection between diet and health, highlighting the role of marine-derived nutraceuticals and functional foods. It emphasizes the benefits of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods sourced from marine organisms, such as algae, crustaceans, and fish. These products are rich in health-promoting compounds like omega-3 fatty acids, chitosan, and glucosamine. The script also discusses the use of these ingredients in various consumer products and their potential health benefits, including disease prevention and treatment, with a focus on the growing market for omega-3 enriched products.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ Hippocrates, known as the Father of Medicine, highlighted the inseparable link between diet and health by saying 'Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food'.
• 💊 Dietary supplements come in various forms like pills and powders, providing essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to complement a healthy diet.
• 🌿 Nutraceuticals go beyond supplementing the diet; they also aid in the treatment and prevention of diseases, offering additional health benefits.
• 🥦 Functional foods resemble regular food but are enriched with specific components that promote health and well-being.
• 🌊 Marine organisms, including macroalgae, crustaceans, fish, and microalgae, are rich sources of health-promoting ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
• 🍀 Seaweeds, such as brown, green, and red algae, are edible and offer health benefits like combating obesity and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• 🌱 Algal polysaccharides like alginate, agar, and carrageenan have multiple uses in food and beverages for their thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying properties, and also possess health benefits.
• 🦐 Chitosan, derived from crustacean shells, is known for its fat-absorbing properties and is used as an anti-cholesterol agent in food products.
• 🦀 Chitin is a source of glucosamine, widely used as a dietary supplement for osteoarthritis prevention or treatment, and is also added to various food products.
• 🐟 Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish are crucial for cardiovascular health and are recommended by WHO/FAO for daily intake.
• 🧪 The market for omega-3 fortified food products is growing rapidly, driven by demand for healthier options and the potential for vegetarian consumption of algae-derived omega-3s.

Q & A

What did Hippocrates of Kos emphasize about the relationship between food and medicine?

Hippocrates of Kos, known as the Father of Medicine, emphasized the direct link between diet and human health, stating 'Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food'.

What are the primary purposes of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional food?

Dietary supplements aim to supplement the diet with healthy ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Nutraceuticals support treatment and prevention of diseases in addition to supplementing the diet. Functional food, similar to conventional food, is enriched with components beneficial for health promotion and maintenance.

Which marine sources are commonly used for healthy food ingredients?

Marine sources such as macroalgae, crustaceans, fish, fish by-products, and microalgae are widely used for ingredients like polysaccharides, omega-3 fatty acids, chitin, chitosan, fish protein hydrolysate, collagen, glucosamine, pigments, vitamins, and minerals.

What health benefits are associated with the consumption of seaweeds?

Consumption of seaweeds can help fight obesity, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Some seaweeds also contain bioactive compounds with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antioxidant activities.

What are the common algal polysaccharides and their uses in food products?

Algal polysaccharides include alginate (from brown algae), agar, and carrageenan (from red algae). They are used for their thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying properties in food and beverages, and also have health benefits such as antithrombotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities.

What are the E numbers associated with alginate, agar, and carrageenan, and where are they typically found on food labels?

Alginate, agar, and carrageenan are labeled as E406, E407, and E408 respectively on food products. They are typically found in products like ice cream, cakes, jellies, milk drinks, bread, beer, canned food, soups, sausages, and casseroles.

What is chitosan, and how is it used in food products in Japan?

Chitosan is a chitin derivative from the shells of crustaceans known for its fat-absorbing ability. In Japan, it is added to food products like potato chips or noodles as an anti-cholesterol agent and also used as a food preservative to extend the shelf-life of products like milk and fruit juice.

What is the health significance of glucosamine and how is it used in dietary supplements and food products?

Glucosamine, derived from chitin, is widely consumed as a dietary supplement for the prevention or treatment of osteoarthritis. It is also added to beverages and food products like yogurt and cereal.

What are the documented health benefits of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)?

Long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are well-documented for their benefits in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, positive effects on inflammatory response, and their role in the proper development and function of the brain and nervous system.

What is the recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA according to WHO/FAO, and is there a difference for pregnant or lactating women?

The WHO/FAO recommends a daily intake of 250 mg of EPA and DHA for adults. For pregnant or lactating women, the daily intake should be increased to 300 mg.

How are omega-3 fatty acids incorporated into meat, eggs, and dairy products, and what is the challenge with using fish oil?

Omega-3 fatty acids are incorporated into meat, eggs, and dairy products by using algae, fish, or fish oil as feed for laying hens, dairy cattle, and bovine farms. The challenge with using fish oil is its potential effect on product stability, odor, and taste, which can be mitigated with technologies like microencapsulation, deodorization, and the addition of antioxidants.

What is the projected growth rate and market value for long chain omega-3 fortified food products by 2022?

The market for long chain omega-3 fortified food products is projected to grow at nearly 14 percent per annum and is predicted to exceed $25 billion USD by 2022.