EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to flaxseed oil and vitamin E and maintenance of the skin permeability barrier function pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

<p>Following an application from Nutrilinks Sarl, submitted pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin E and maintenance of the skin permeability barrier function. The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin E. The Panel considers that the combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin E is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect is “contributes to maintain skin permeability barrier function”. The target population proposed by the applicant is healthy adults with dry and sensitive skin. Maintenance of the permeability barrier function of the skin is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant identified two published human intervention studies as being pertinent to the health claim. Owing to the very limited information provided regarding key methodological aspects, and to the important limitations of the statistical analysis performed, the Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin E and maintenance of the skin permeability barrier function.</p&gt

A comprehensive review on the colorless carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene

Carotenoids and their derivatives are versatile isoprenoids involved in many varied actions, hence their importance in the agri-food industry, nutrition, health and other fields. All carotenoids are derived from the colorless carotenes phytoene and phytofluene, which are oddities among carotenoids due to their distinct chemical structure. They occur together with lycopene in tomato and other lycopene-containing foods. Furthermore, they are also present in frequently consumed products like oranges and carrots, among others. The intake of phytoene plus phytofluene has been shown to be higher than that of lycopene and other carotenoids in Luxembourg. This is likely to be common in other countries. However, they are not included in food carotenoid databases, hence they have not been linked to health benefits in epidemiological studies. Interestingly, there are evidences in vitro, animal models and humans indicating that they may provide health benefits. In this sense, the study of these colorless carotenes in the context of food science, nutrition and health should be further encouraged. In this work, we review much of the existing knowledge concerning their chemical characteristics, physico-chemical properties, analysis, distribution in foods, bioavailability and likely biological activities

Metabolism and functional effects of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in humans

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential fatty acid and the substrate for the synthesis of longer-chain, more un- saturated ω-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are associated with human health benefits. The primary source of EPA and DHA is seafood. There is a need for sustainable sources of biologically active ω-3 fatty acids. Certain plants contain high concentrations of ALA and stearidonic acid (SDA). Here we review the literature on the metabolism of ALA and SDA in humans, the impact of increased ALA and SDA consumption on concentrations of EPA and DHA in blood and cell lipid pools, and the extent to which ALA and SDA might have health benefits. Although it is generally considered that humans have limited capacity for conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA, sex differences in conversion to DHA have been identified. If conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is limited, then ALA may have a smaller health benefit than EPA and DHA. SDA is more readily converted to EPA and appears to offer better potential for health improvement than ALA. However, conversion of both ALA and SDA to DHA is limited in most humans

UVA Photoprotective Properties of an Artificial Carotenylflavonoid Hybrid Molecule

Carotenoids and flavonoids represent two classes of natural antioxidants, a biological activity, which is determined by their chemical structure. To combine their antioxidant properties, a dual functional carotenylflavonoid hybrid molecule was synthesized. The antioxidant activity of this compound was tested in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to UVA irradiation. Test parameters were hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cell viability. For comparison, the substructure components of the carotenylflavonoid, 4-hydroxyflavone and 11′-apo-β-carotenylbenzene, were also tested. Incubation of cells with the carotenylflavonoid and 11′-apo-β-carotenylbenzene attenuated UVA-induced HO-1 expression. In the MDA assay, the carotenylflavonoid and 11′-apo-β-carotenylbenzene were moderately effective at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, the compound provoked an increase of MDA, which was confirmed by the H₂DCF-DA assay measuring ROS formation. 4-Hydroxyflavone moderately inhibited the formation of MDA at all levels that were tested. The study showed that the carotenylflavonoid counteracts UVA-induced HO-1 expression. However, a photoprotection against lipid oxidation, ROS formation, and cell toxicity could not be proven in the experimental setting

Supplementation with Red Palm Oil Increases β-Carotene and Vitamin A Blood Levels in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. Mediators of Inflammation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/817127

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) show decreased plasma concentrations of antioxidants due to malabsorption of lipid soluble vitamins and consumption by chronic pulmonary inflammation. -Carotene is a major source of retinol and therefore is of particular significance in CF. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of daily intake of red palm oil (RPO) containing high amounts of -carotene on the antioxidant levels in CF patients. Sixteen subjects were recruited and instructed to enrich their food with 2 to 3 tablespoons of RPO (∼1.5 mg of -carotene) daily over 8 weeks. Carotenoids, retinol, and -tocopherol were measured in plasma at baseline and after intervention. In addition -carotene, lycopene, -tocopherol, and vitamin C were measured in buccal mucosa cells (BMC) to determine the influence of RPO on antioxidant tissue levels. Eleven subjects completed the study properly. Plasma -carotene, retinol, and -carotene of these patients increased, but plasma concentrations of other carotenoids and -tocopherol as well as concentrations of -carotene, lycopene, -tocopherol, and vitamin C in BMC remained unchanged. Since RPO on a daily basis did not show negative side effects the data suggest that RPO may be used to elevate plasma -carotene in CF