News
DSM to collaborate on personalised nutrition
12 Jan 2015DSM has announced a collaboration with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) on new research to determine how nutrient status is connected to phenotypes. The project will then map nutritional status against health outcomes in certain populations, in order to further establish why some people develop chronic illnesses early in life, while others remain healthy […]
DSM has announced a collaboration with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) on new research to determine how nutrient status is connected to phenotypes. The project will then map nutritional status against health outcomes in certain populations, in order to further establish why some people develop chronic illnesses early in life, while others remain healthy into old age.
Typically, surveys or food diaries are used to determine vitamin intake but such data are often flawed due to inaccurate reporting, according to DSM: biochemical assessment of vitamin status and intake through plasma or urine samples provides far more realistic data. The findings of these assessments can then be connected to phenotypes like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity or exposure to air pollution.
UMCG’s research programme focuses on healthy ageing. The LifeLines cohort study plays an important role in the healthy ageing approach of UMCG and aims to investigate multifactorial, age-related diseases and the interactions between environmental, phenotypic and biological factors over a period of 30 years. Participants span three generations and data collected include anthropometry, blood pressure, lung function, cognition and urine samples. The partnership with DSM will assess micronutrient status in 1,600 people aged 60-75 years.
“Vitamin intake in cohorts is traditionally assessed from food questionnaires,” said Stephan J.L. Bakker, Professor of Internal Medicine and Systems Medicine at the University Medical Center Groningen. “LifeLines is a unique cohort because almost all 167,729 participants have collected 24h urine samples. Because vitamins and their metabolic break-down products are excreted in urine, measurements in 24h urine will provide us better and more unbiased estimates of intake. By combining this with measurement of status markers and functional markers of a large array of vitamins, we will generate new data that are unique in this field. Such data are important for identifying the role of vitamin supplementation in so-called personalized health care and precision medicine strategies.”
“Through this collaboration, we will now be able to understand how nutrient status varies by socio-economic group and map these data against phenotypes and health outcomes in the evaluated cohorts,” said Professor Manfred Eggersdorfer, Senior Vice President, Nutrition Science & Advocacy at DSM and Professor of Healthy Ageing at the University Medical Center Groningen. “Our analysis has the potential to lead to faster identification of diseases and will complement further research into preventing chronic disorders in low and high socio-economic groups. This would have a significant impact on public health globally.”
Related news
Sustainability meets innovation at Fi Europe 2023's Sustainability Ingredients Zone
9 Jan 2024
Fi Europe’s Sustainable Ingredients Zone showcases ingredients forging a path toward a greener future. Three innovators are redefining what sustainability within the food and beverage industry means, with upcycled products, regenerative agriculture, an...
Read moreUnleashing the power of plants at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone
5 Jan 2024
In the diverse landscape of plant-based innovation, Fi Europe 2023's New Product Zone spotlighted ten plant-based ingredients, tailored to meet the rising demand for sustainable and delicious options.
Read moreMeet the innovative ingredients showcased at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone
3 Jan 2024
The Food Ingredients category at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone featured 19 distinct and innovative products. From fermented delights to sustainable proteins, these ingredients are ready to make their mark in the market.
Read moreFi Europe’s New Product Zone elevates the nutrition of everyday indulgences
22 Dec 2023
At Fi Europe 2023's New Product Zone, eight health ingredients, each offering an enhanced nutritional profile of various products, were on display. These ingredients address the evolving needs of the food and beverage industry and cater to consumers se...
Read moreFi Europe’s New Product Zone explores fresh possibilities with five natural ingredients
20 Dec 2023
Fi Europe 2023's New Product Zone unveils five natural ingredients, each catering to the growing demand for clean products and embodying ethical and sustainable choices for today's conscious consumers.
Read moreWater-conscious consumers, upcycled food, and tech-driven sustainability: Highlights from Fi Europe, part 2
14 Dec 2023
With climate change becoming a tangible reality, consumers’ environmental concerns are changing. At Fi Europe, market analysts revealed how people are now interested in everyday issues like water shortages and tech-driven solutions such as GM drought-r...
Read moreThe food industry’s single-use packaging problem
12 Dec 2023
The food industry’s reliance on single-use packaging is a sustainability “sticking point” with viable alternatives not widely available – but new EU rules mean food businesses will remain responsible for the collection and disposal of the packaging the...
Read moreSnack trends, ingredient claims, and plant-based perceptions: Highlights from Fi Europe 2023, part 1
7 Dec 2023
Value-led snacking, sustainability storytelling, and the importance of having a ‘star ingredient’: we asked consumer analysts and market experts at Fi Europe about the trends and innovations that are shaping the food industry.
Read moreHELM and Allied Biotech partnership make possible natural crystal-clear colours
7 Nov 2023
As one of the leading Carotenoid producers, Allied Biotech has successfully launched the clear colour product lines. The new products are mainly used in transparent applications. Clear colours are ideal candidates for replacement of the artificial colo...
Read moreImpact taste in your recipe substantially - through Chilled-Fresh ingredients
29 Sep 2023
Bresc is the European pioneer of Chilled-Fresh ingredients for culinary professionals that has its origins in French Cuisine. While focusing on best raw materials choice, Bresc’s recipes are conceived to inspire product development and to add-up in tas...
Read more