Question

0. 1. Ms. Chan is 50 years old. She is a housewife. She is 1.60m tall and weighs 45kg. She seldom engages in outdoor activities and stays most of the day inactive. She has constipation problem and suspected to have osteoporosis. She would like to use some supplements to solve these health problems. The supplements she wants to buy are a probiotic supplement and Calcium plus which are shown below. (Total 20 marks)
1. Are there any health claims for the two supplements shown below? If yes, please identify the type of health claims of the supplements. Please advice if these supplements could help to solve the health problems for Ms. Chan?
2. Other than the supplements, what dietary advices you will give to Ms. Chan for her to solve her health problems and prevent the chronic diseases?

2. Discuss energy density and how it may be associated with the obesity epidemic worldwide.

Answer 1

Question b

Health claims of probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms (part of normal flora)which when administered in adequate amounts provides health benefits to host.They can be used in conditions like gastroenteritis, antibiotic associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, necrotising enterocolitis.They reduce serum cholesterol by breakdown of bile and preventing its reabsorption, modulate inflammatory and hypersensitivity responses and can be used in allergic disorders, eczema, atopic dermatitis. They modulate immune function and prevent infections, reduce blood pressure by producing ACE inhibitor like peptides.They can be used in bacterial vaginosis

Health claims of calcium

Functions of calcium include formation of bone and teeth,coagulation of blood,muscle contraction, cardiac action,milk production, keeping the membranes of the cell intact,metabolism of enzymes and hormones, transformation of light to electrical impulses in retina,relaying of the electrical and chemical messages that reach the cell surfaces to the biochemical machinery within the cell

Question c

To prevent constipation, advise to take plenty of fluids and high fibre diet.

For osteoporosis, advice a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Advise regular weight bearing exercises. Give education about other medications like bisphosphonates, advice outdoor activities to increase vitamin D production. To avoid fractures,advise not to bend suddenly, lift heavy weights.

Question 2

Dietary energy density is defined as the amount of energy available in a given food weight, expressed in Kcal/g or kJ /g.It depends on the fibre,fat and water content in food.Fibre and water adds weight to the food,but fat makes the food energy dense. In addition these energy dense foods will have added sugars and refined cereals. Because of the high levels of saturated fat and added sugars,these energy dense foods cause insulin resistance also leading to metabolic syndrome.Studies have shown that energy density is a direct predictor of obesity and it correlates to BMI.Though these energy dense foods are a convenient option and easily available, avoiding these is the key to curb the obesity epidemic.