Title : Translational nutrition research in the management of chronic diseases
Abstract:
Introduction- Nutrition interventions tailored to specific diseases are receiving attention to improve health outcomes of specific disease groups. Nutrition professionals must deliver effective, evidence-based nutrition care within public health and health-care settings. My research group has been working to develop functional formulations for the management of chronic diseases viz., Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Head and Neck cancer (HNC).
Methods: Translational research approach was used in the development of disease specific formulations. Commercial supplements were screened for nutrient composition, digestibility and mineral bio-accessibility using simulated digestion models. Based on these observations, using common food ingredients 3 formulations were developed – Pulmona for COPD, Nutrican for HNC and Nutricare-DM for T2DM and analyzed for nutrient characteristics and intervention studies were undertaken in specific disease groups.
Results: Formulations were acceptable with 3 months shelf-life without deterioration in sensory, microbial, chemical profile. The nutrient digestibility was suitable for the specific condition. Significant improvements in the dietary intake and anthropometric parameters were observed in the intervention group than the control group among COPD and HNC subjects.
In COPD subjects (n=20), after 12 weeks, improvements in somatic status, fat-free mass, fat mass, exercise capacity, muscle strength, quality of life and biochemical parameters viz., antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress and C-RP levels (p < 0.043) were observed. In HNC group (n=18), nutrition intervention prevented adverse effects of treatment and cachexia after the 45th day of treatment thus, protecting and preserving vital components of the body such as muscle mass, glycogen and mineral mass (p<0.05). After 30 days of supplementation of ‘Nutricare-DM’ favorable changes in glycemia and lipid profile were seen compared to control group among T2DM subjects (n= 10).
Conclusion: Nutrition intervention of disease specific formulations enriched with need-based nutrient characteristics will help in meeting the nutritional requirements in various disease conditions.
Keywords: translational research, chronic disease, intervention, nutritional needs
presents models and processes describing translational research, defines key terms, discusses methodological considerations for speeding the translation of nutrition research into practice, illustrates application of translational research concepts for nutrition practitioners and researchers, and provides examples of translational research resources and training opportunities. To promote the efficiency and translation of evidence-based nutrition guidelines into routine clinical-, community-, and policy-based practice, the dissemination and implementation phases of translational research are highlighted and illustrated in this monograph
What will audience learn from your presentation?
- Importance of translation approach in medical nutrition therapy
- This presentation will discuss methodological considerations for adopting translation research by nutrition practitioners and researchers with examples
Researchers will be motivated to adopt the approach in teaching and practice
