DSM to discuss role of nutrients in addressing the effects of air pollution
Will explore the benefits of advanced nutrition on the health of urban populations at conference in Valencia
DSM is to highlight the need for further research to explore the benefits of advanced nutrition on the health of urban populations at the 3rd International Conference on Nutrition & Food Science, taking place on 23–25 September 2014 in Valencia, Spain.
This year’s conference, sponsored by DSM, will take as its theme the importance of nutrition in daily life and advancing towards a better and healthier future. Leading scientific experts will discuss the role of nutrients in addressing significant global threats, such as air pollution.
'With 80% of the global population now living in regions that exceed WHO air quality guidelines, air pollution needs to be the central focus of government regulation and environmental reform,' said Daniel Raederstorff, Principal Scientist at DSM.
'Recent research has highlighted the potential of targeted nutrition to combat the decreased antioxidant capability, respiratory inflammation and neurological symptoms associated with certain pollutants.'
Fernando Holguin, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care at the University of Pittsburgh, said the rising exposure to pollutants is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular and respiratory afflictions worldwide.
'The variation in associated risk between different pollutants provides huge challenges to the legislation and development of adequate industrial production regulation,' he said.
'Therefore, protection strategies for people who are more vulnerable and most highly exposed must be highlighted as a necessary target.'
Professor Lisa Wood, from the Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, University of Newcastle, Australia, agreed.
'Nowadays diets are characterised by an increasing intake of prepackaged foods. This dietary pattern results in a nutrient profile that is low in beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs),' she said.
'As these nutrients protect against inflammation, populations are thus more susceptible to the damaging effects of pollutants, which can trigger chronic diseases such as asthma. Increasing the intake of antioxidants and PUFAs may reduce inflammation, providing opportunities for asthma management.'
Professor Manfred Eggersdorfer, Senior Vice-President, Nutrition Science & Advocacy at DSM and Professor for Healthy Ageing at the University of Groningen, added: 'In recent months, there have been a number of assessments by different research groups to indicate that insufficient intake of micronutrients has the potential to have severe long term effects on the health of urban populations.
'The associated healthcare costs are significant and the meeting in Valencia will serve as an important bridge between academic research and industry, to drive progress in the field of nutrition and food science.'
