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Fight disease with functional foods

You've heard of probiotics, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. But have you heard of "functional foods"? In essence, they form part of the same concept: one of foods and food components that help to prevent and fight disease.

Functional foods are foods that provide benefits beyond basic nutrition - in other words, these foods provide medical or health benefits. While many foods in their natural state can be seen as functional foods, e.g. fresh fruit and vegetables, wine and milk, this concept is now being extended to commercial products.

When an antioxidant such as selenium is added to a breakfast cereal, or when fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids are added to dairy products, it gives the food product an extra kick: selenium is a potent antioxidant that can help to prevent cancer and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to brain and heart health.

A recent media seminar, hosted by Parmalat in Cape Town, highlighted important aspects in terms of functional foods. Overseas, this is already a booming industry and more and more South African food manufacturers are starting to buy into the concept. Parmalat is one of them.

Diet and disease prevention
According to one of the speakers, Dr David van Velden, diet is one of the many important factors involved in the etiology of chronic disease. Van Velden is a medical doctor with a special interest in holistic wellness.

"Diet can prevent and treat several modern diseases such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, abnormal bowel motility, arthritis and premature ageing," Van Velden says. "Optimal nutrition can increase resistance to disease and enhance the quality of life."

Worldwide, more consumers are starting to take an active interest in the link between diet and health. Increasing healthcare costs, an ageing population and a better understanding of nutrition science are contributing factors.

People are also starting to realise that medicine alone isn't enough in their arsenal against disease.

Van Velden explains that modern medicine is very effective in managing acute medical and surgical emergencies, but that there is no effective cure for the chronic and degenerative diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

It is here that functional foods have a critical role to play. "Functional foods have a great impact on the incidence and treatment of cancer," Van Velden says.

However, cancer prevention isn't the only reason why we should take note of these foods. Take a look at the benefits of the following categories of functional foods:

Foods rich in fibre. These help in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. They also enhance mineral absorption and lower the risk of heart disease.
Garlic and the omega-3 fatty acids. These can lower serum cholesterol levels.
Fortified foods. Examples include calcium-fortified milk and orange juice, which can lower osteoporosis risk.
Probiotics and prebiotics. These components have immunoprotective mechanisms which operate via the gut.
Whole foods. These are associated with a reduced risk of disease.

In years to come, more and more products with added functional components will hit the market. Therefore, it is important to take note of commercial functional-food applications. These include:

• Foods from which unhealthy components have been eliminated or reduced.
• Foods that contain a higher concentration of a healthy component.
• Foods to which healthy components, normally not present in the food, have been added.
• Foods in which unhealthy components have been replaced by healthy components.
• Foods in which the bio-availability of healthy components (already present) have been increased.
• Functional components can be anything from added vitamins and minerals to pre- and probiotics to omega-3 fatty acids to fibre, and more. An example of an unhealthy food component is trans fatty acids.

Manufacturers will no doubt alert consumers of added functional ingredients - either via product labels or through advertisements. Unless this information is provided, there is little incentive for the manufacturer to develop the product in the first place. Be on the lookout for these claims.

Keep in mind, however, that functional foods are not a substitute for poor health habits. For example, if you smoke or lead a sedentary lifestyle, healthy foods will do little to prevent disease.

"Diet is only one component of an overall healthy lifestyle," Van Velden says.

- (Carine van Rooyen)