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Infographic: Phospholipids
Concept Card: Fortified Protein Powder
Concept Card: Protein & Phospholipids Shake
By 2050, the elderly population in China is projected to reach a staggering 479 million, accounting for 35.1% of the total population. This significant shift poses numerous challenges to the country, particularly in terms of nutrition and overall health for the aging population.
In this article, we explore how our innovative protein solutions introduced at the 7th China Special Food Conference (SFIC) and Asiaceutical Expo & Summit (AAES) can help address these challenges.
Aging is accompanied by a decline in many bodily functions:
As China grapples with this demographic shift, addressing the nutritional needs for physical, mental, and inner wellbeing of aging consumers becomes increasingly crucial.
Cognitive decline, particularly in the form of dementia, is a significant concern for the elderly population worldwide. In 2018, China had an estimated 12 million elderly individuals experiencing impaired cognitive function, accounting for approximately 5% of the elderly population. This number represents approximately 20% of the global population of elderly individuals with dementia1.
These statistics are further backed by the data obtained from the 2018 China Elderly Health Influencing Factors Tracking Survey (CLHLS)². According to this survey, the overall prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly in China was approximately 27.96%.
The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) holds great promise as a functional milk component that can simultaneously provide phospholipids, protein, and calcium to support cognitive function among the elderly. The milk fat globule membrane is a three-layer membrane naturally found in milk primarily consisting of lipids, including Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylinositol, and Sphingomyelin.
As individuals age, there is a decline in the content of phospholipids in the brain. Research indicates that healthy elderly individuals may experience a loss of 10-20% of phospholipids by the age of 80-906. However, the supplementation of milk fat globule membrane has been shown to offer a promising solution to address this decline.
Explore Nutiani's Protein & Phospholipids Shake concept made with broad-spectrum phospholipids
Potential Action Mechanism of Phospholipids
The musculoskeletal system declines as individuals age, resulting in muscle atrophy and osteopenia. These can lead to weak muscle health, decreased exercise and balance abilities, ultimately compromising the elderly's ability to engage in daily activities³.
Sufficient protein and calcium intake has significant benefits for bone health4. In China, however, the protein and calcium intake among the elderly falls below the recommended standards⁵.
One valuable source of dietary calcium is milk protein, which naturally contains significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Functional milk protein, obtained through a membrane filtration process from fresh skim milk, retains the essential nutritional value inherent in milk protein. This specialized protein blend consists of whey protein and casein protein, providing a complete range of essential amino acids in optimal quantities and proportions. Moreover, functional milk protein offers additional advantages such as excellent flavor, thermal stability, and solubility.
Functional milk protein not only meets the nutritional needs of individuals but also caters to those with lactose intolerance. It provides a suitable alternative for those who may experience difficulties digesting lactose. By including functional milk protein in their diet, lactose-intolerant individuals can still enjoy the benefits of high-quality protein and calcium for bone health.
Explore Nutiani’s Fortified Protein Powder concept made with functional milk protein
China's deep aging society presents unique challenges in meeting nutritional needs of the elderly for physical, mental, and inner wellbeing. Addressing these challenges involves a careful balance of factors, considering tradeoffs between taste, convenience, cost, and nutritional quality. Moreover, the impact of aging on mobility and cognitive health should be a crucial consideration when innovating food and beverage solutions.
Connect with one of our experts to discover how we can support the development of food and beverage products to support mobility and cognitive health, from concept to consumer.
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