Lutein and DHA ‘need attention’ as healthy aging bioactives: Tufts researcher

People are living longer across the planet, but as life expectancies increase so too does the number of individuals living with age-related disease. And as we age, our nutritional needs change, with our ability to absorb and metabolize nutrients dramatically decreased, explained Elizabeth Johnson, Scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University.

“Things change as a consequence of aging,” ​said Dr Johnson. “Combined with that other issues of aging and other things that affect nutritional status like medication and changes in body composition, and you require a more nutrient-dense diet.”​

Dr Johnson is also a speaker at Food Vision 2015 event in Cannes on March 18 to 20.

Bioactives​

While calcium and vitamin D are key nutrients for the aging population, particularly for bone health for women, there are other bioactives that require attention, she said.

“My work looks at visual and cognitive function. Lutein and DHA are not essential nutrients but they need attention. There is a big gap in how much we need and how much we know we’re getting.” ​

In the US, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to have a benefit at a dose of 10 mg and 2 mg, respectively, she said, but data from the NIH indicates that the average intake is less than 2 mg of lutein per day. For DHA, if you look at the recommendations for older people it’s between 400 mg and 1 gram per day, but the average intake for over 50s is less than 100 mg.

These worrying figures suggest to many that it is time for dietary recommendations for lutein and DHA.

There is also an educational aspect that needs addressed, she noted. “Part of the problem, although it may be part of the solution, is the internet​. I’ve visited sites and there is a lot of misinformation. People are looking for magic bullets. Making good choices for the diet and lifestyle is about things we’ve pretty well known all along: fruit and vegetables, low fat, exercise, and so on. ​

“Also, people like to talk their physician and not people like me, but they’re only with the physician for 10 minutes and they walk out with a statin. The physicians are in the business of treatment and not prevention.​

“We need to focus on prevention and not treatment.”​

Food Vision​

At the upcoming Food Vision 2015​ event in Cannes, Dr Johnson will delve into the nutritional science to support healthy aging , including:

- Physiological and biological changes in age and how they affect the intake, absorption and metabolism of nutrients
- How nutrient dense diets can preserve body function and avoid the development of chronic disease in old age
- The potential of nutrients to increase healthy, active life expectancy
- How the food industry can adapt to support growing older populations
- Educating the elderly – encouraging and providing for healthy food choices