Folate status in the US population 20 y after the introduction of folic acid fortification.

Background: Enriched cereal-grain products have been fortified in the United States for >20 y to improve folate status in women of reproductive age and reduce the risk of folic acid-responsive neural tube birth defects (NTDs).

Objectives: Our objectives were to assess postfortification changes in folate status in the overall US population and in women aged 12-49 y and to characterize recent folate status by demographic group and use of folic acid-containing supplements.

Methods: We examined cross-sectional serum and RBC folate data from the NHANES 1999-2016.

A report of activities related to the Dietary Reference Intakes from the Joint Canada-US Dietary Reference Intakes Working Group.

The governments of the United States and Canada have jointly undertaken the development of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) since the mid-1990s. The Federal DRI committees from each country work collaboratively to identify DRI needs, prioritize nutrient reviews, advance work to resolve methodological issues that is necessary for new reviews, and sponsor DRI-related committees through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. In recent years, the Joint Canada-US DRI Working Group, consisting of members from both Federal DRI committees, developed an open and transparent nomination process for prioritizing nutrients for DRI review, by which sodium, the omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium were identified.

Qualified health claim for whole-grain intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: an evidence-based review by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The objective of this review is to explain how the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used its evidence-based review system to evaluate the scientific evidence for a qualified health claim on the role of whole-grain consumption in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The labeling of health claims, including qualified health claims, on conventional foods and dietary supplements requires premarket approval by the FDA. Health claims characterize the relationship between a substance (food or food component) and a disease (eg, diabetes or cardiovascular disease) or a health-related condition (eg, hypertension).

Folate status and concentrations of serum folate forms in the US population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2.

Serum and erythrocyte (RBC) total folate are indicators of folate status. No nationally representative population data exist for folate forms. We measured the serum folate forms (5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHF), unmetabolised folic acid (UMFA), non-methyl folate (sum of tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5-formylTHF), 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate (5,10-methenylTHF)) and MeFox (5-methylTHF oxidation product)) by HPLC-MS/MS and RBC total folate by microbiologic assay in US population ≥ 1 year (n approximately 7500) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2.

FDA's health claim review: whey-protein partially hydrolyzed infant formula and atopic dermatitis.

In this review, we explain how the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used its evidence-based review system to evaluate the scientific evidence for a qualified health claim for 100% whey-protein partially hydrolyzed infant formula (W-PHF) and reduced risk of atopic dermatitis (AD). The labeling of health claims, including qualified health claims, on conventional foods and dietary supplements require premarket approval by the FDA. Health claims characterize the relationship between a substance (food or food component) and disease (eg, cancer or cardiovascular disease) or health-related condition (eg, hypertension).

Development of food group composites and nutrient profiles for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System.

Objective: To identify food selections in each MyPyramid food group or subgroup reflective of typical consumption patterns by Americans, and the nutrient intake that can be expected from consuming a specified amount of these foods from each group, in a low-fat and no-added-sugars form.

Design: An analytical process to identify food consumption choices within each food group and subgroup using national food consumption surveys, and to identify the expected nutrient content of each group using food composition databases.

Variables Measured: Relative consumption of foods within each food group; nutrient content for each food group and subgroup (energy plus 27 nutrients).

Development of food intake patterns for the MyPyramid Food Guidance System.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to design food intake patterns based on typical American food selections that would meet Dietary Guidelines and Dietary Reference Intake recommendations.

Design: Analytic process to identify appropriate amounts from each food group that together will meet nutritional goals for various age/gender groups.

Variables Measured: Projected intake of energy, 9 vitamins, 8 minerals, 8 macronutrients, and dietary fiber in each food intake pattern.

Impact of using updated food consumption and composition data on selected MyPyramid Food Group nutrient profiles.

Objective: To examine the changes observed in 5 nutrients of selected USDA food subgroups by partitioning the overall changes into those caused by consumption changes over time, and those caused by nutrient database revisions.

Design: Population-weighted estimates of food group intakes (composites) were developed using 24-hour recall data from CSFII 1994-96 and NHANES 1999-2000. Nutrient profiles of these composites were developed using Standard Reference (SR) data (SR11 and SR16-1).

Carotenoid composition of human milk during the first month postpartum and the response to beta-carotene supplementation.

Background: Information is lacking regarding normal changes in milk carotenoid concentrations in healthy, well-nourished women during the first month of lactation.

Objectives: This study investigated milk carotenoid concentrations during days 4-32 postpartum and assessed the effects of maternal beta-carotene supplementation.

Design: Subjects (n = 21; aged 19-39 y) were randomly assigned to receive beta-carotene (30 mg/d) or placebo from days 4 to 32 postpartum.