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Uses of Functional Foods:

Children and Adolescents

1- Heart disease, once thought to be a disease of aging, is now recognized as starting
in childhood. One recommended approach to this problem is through dietary
interventions that treat dyslipidemia with a low-fat diet supplemented with water-
soluble fiber, plant stanols, and plant sterols.

2- One outcome of this task force was the recommendation to research the use of
CAM therapies in the pediatric population. It is important to recognize that many
families are using nutraceuticals such as nutritional supplements or functional
foods with their children. For example, a study on CAM use in teenagers found
that among teenagers who use complementary and alternative therapies, 75% use
herbal products and other nutritional supplements .

Women’s Health and Nutritional Needs

Throughout their life span, women have unique nutritional needs that place them at risk
for nutrition-related diseases and conditions. Nutrition has been shown to have a
significant influence on the risk of chronic disease and on the maintenance of optimal
health status. Although food should be the first choice in meeting such needs, nutritional
supplementation may be necessary (American Dietetic Association, 2001). Following
are some examples of increased nutritional needs across the life span of women:

 An increase in calcium during pregnancy and menopause is necessary.
 Folic acid requirements increase during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
 Iron needs increase during menstruation and pregnancy.

Safety and Risk of Functional Foods:

 Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have strong effects in the
body; always be alert to the possibility of unexpected side effects, especially when
taking a new product.

 Supplements can be dangerous is taken in lieu of (replacing) prescribed medicines
or when people take many supplements in combination.

 Some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or, if a person takes them
before or after surgery, they can affect the person's response to anesthesia.

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