Nutrition reviews
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Review
A proposal for the establishment of scientific criteria for health claims for functional foods.
Functional foods are defined and used differently in different nations. Health claims for these foods influence consumer behavior and potentially affect public health. In an increasingly global economy, health claims for functional foods should meet internationally agreed upon scientific criteria. The concept of health claims as it exists internationally is discussed, and suggestions to assist consumers, government, industry, and academia in deciding on a scientific and ethical basis for international agreement on health claims for functional foods are offered.
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The data on the relationship between iron deficiency and infection are conflicting. Some researchers conclude that mild iron deficiency is beneficial for immunity, whereas others contend that any deficit is not good for immunity. Additionally, infection or inflammation generate anemia and profound changes in iron metabolism mediated by cytokines. These changes are important confounders to consider in assessments of iron status.
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Review Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Zinc lozenges reduce the duration of common cold symptoms.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial has shown that treatment of the common cold with zinc gluconate lozenges resulted in a significant reduction in duration of symptoms of the cold. Patients received zinc-containing lozenges or placebo lozenges every 2 hours for the duration of cold symptoms. The median time to complete resolution of cold symptoms was 4.4 days in the zinc group compared with 7.6 days in the placebo group. The mechanism of action of zinc in treating the common cold remains unknown.