Applications of Globally Harmonized Nutrients Research Portfolio

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Overview Goals & Impact Current Projects Proposed Projects Research Outcomes & Articles Working with ILSI Contact Us

Overview

Our Purpose

The Applications of Globally Harmonized Nutrients Research Portfolio focuses on facilitating the integration of standardized nutrient recommendations at the global, regional and local population levels. The leadership committee aims to lay this groundwork through the establishment of nutrient bioavailability algorithms. This activity is poised to drive advancements in food formulation and labeling, enable comparisons of nutrient intake across populations, inform policy development, and evaluate the sustainability of the global food system.

Leadership Committee

Connie Weaver, PhD (Lead) – Distinguished Professor of Research, San Diego State University, USA
Michael I. McBurney, PhD – University of Guelph, Canada and Tufts University, USA
Eric Ciappio, PhD – Strategic Development Manager, Nutrition Science, Balchem, USA
Rachel Novotny, PhD, RDN – Professor & Graduate Chair, Nutrition Sciences, University of Hawai'i, USA
Leila G. Saldanha, PhD – Independent Scientist, USA
Emorn Udomkesmalee, PhD - Senior Advisor and Former Director, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand

Goals & Impact

The overall goal of this research portfolio is to positively impact public health by mitigating the prevalence of deficiencies in essential nutrients.

To accomplish this, ILSI plans to target five outcomes:

Enhanced Formulation and Labeling. Food and beverage companies, as well as ingredient manufacturing companies, will be able to more precisely formulate fortifications and label the bioavailable and nutritional content per serving based on the interplay among nutrients.
Revamped Estimation of Nutrient Contributions. By providing more accurate nutrient absorption values, this research can benefit medical doctors, nutritionists, registered dietitians and other practitioners more effectively assess and plan nutrient intake for individuals and local populations.
Advanced Research. This portfolio will lay the groundwork for other academic, government and industry researchers by establishing a common basis for comparing nutrient intake across populations. In addition, the algorithms developed in this portfolio will facilitate improvements in research methodologies.
Informed Policy Development. Governmental agencies, food industry representatives and clinical practitioners can draw upon this research to make informed decisions based on more accurate data assessments and enable national or regional strategies to address nutrient deficiencies.
Increased Sustainability. By evaluating the sustainability of nutrient resources within the global food system, this research can provide food and beverage companies, as well as ingredient manufacturing companies, with valuable insights that can be utilized for long-term planning and resource management.

Current Projects


Working Group 1: Predicting Calcium Adequacy
About the Project:	This project's aim is to develop an algorithm to predict calcium absorption based on bioavailability. Following the development, the algorithm will be applied to nutrient balance sheets to determine country-adjusted requirements and adequacy ratios.
Leadership:	Connie Weaver, PhD – Distinguished Professor of Research, San Diego State University, USA
Outcome:	Peer-reviewed paper
Status:	Phase 1 – Completed
	Phase 2 – In progress. ILSI U.S. and Canada is seeking funding, as well as research collaborations with organizations, institutions and companies that share our commitment to—and consideration for—improving health, well-being and environmental stewardship.
	Contact us to get involved!
Scientific Publication from Phase 1:	An Algorithm to Assess Calcium Bioavailability from Foods
Guest Article Published by Food Industry Executive:	How Food Companies Can Fine-Tune Their Nutrition Labeling


Working Group 2: Framework for Developing Nutrient Bioavailability Algorithms
About the Project:	This project will develop a systematic approach to address applications toward the translation of globally harmonized nutrients while considering factors in the diet. The framework will use the calcium algorithm as a guide to establish a comprehensive, step-by-step approach that ensures consistency in the construction of nutrient bioavailability algorithms.
Leadership:	Connie Weaver, PhD – Distinguished Professor of Research, San Diego State University, USA
Outcome:	Peer-reviewed paper
Status:	The ILSI U.S. and Canada Research Program seeks funding, as well as research collaborations with organizations, institutions and companies that share our commitment to—and consideration for—improving health, well-being and environmental stewardship.
	Contact us to get involved!

Proposed Projects


Algorithms to Assess the Bioavailability of Other Nutrients
About the Project:	We propose using the bioavailability framework established to develop algorithms for various nutrients, including iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, protein and more.
Outcomes:	Multiple peer-reviewed papers and algorithms developed for each nutrient.
Status:	The ILSI U.S. and Canada Research Program seeks funding, as well as research collaborations with organizations, institutions and companies that share our commitment to—and consideration for—improving health, well-being and environmental stewardship.
	Contact us to get involved!

Research Outcomes & Articles

An open access, peer-reviewed paper, An Algorithm to Assess Calcium Bioavailability from Foods, has been published in The Journal of Nutrition.

This scientific article from ILSI U.S. and Canada describes an algorithm to enhance the prediction of calcium bioavailability by considering the influence of calcium inhibitors. The recommended calcium intakes to meet calcium requirements at various ages are based on average population absorption values. Absorption is altered by physiology, the calcium load, and type of food. The calcium intake necessary, therefore, to meet requirements depends upon diet composition, through bioavailability. The objective of this study was to improve predictions of calcium bioavailability on the basis of the food matrix.

ILSI's guest article was published by Food Industry Executive.

This article, titled "How Food Companies Can Fine-Tune Their Nutrition Labeling," focuses on the ILSI-led research efforts to better predict nutrient bioavailability. This, in turn, can help food producers and manufacturers label the nutrient content more precisely for each serving of their products.

Working with ILSI

ILSI helps fuel innovation by providing companies, academic institutions, NGOs, and governmental agencies with a wide view on issues related to health and wellness and environmental stewardship. By working with us, you can:

Access a multidisciplinary network of leading experts and scientists from academia, government, NGOs, risk assessment bodies and other industry representatives. ILSI's collaborative, multi-sectoral model provides our partners with access to academic, private, and public sector researchers and experts, which brings credibility and objectivity to mitigate the risk of bias in ILSI-led research.
Collaborate on projects and research in a cost-effective way by pooling resources. ILSI's collaborative structure helps to spark greater scientific innovation and production, as well as professional excellence.
Participate in important research projects without paying a membership fee. ILSI U.S. and Canada does not require a membership fee! Our goal is to provide greater participation in ILSI's successful public-private partnerships.
Gain visibility and credibility. ILSI actively communicates and disseminates research, findings, and outcomes via scientific conferences, presentations, speaking engagements, publications, webinars, newsletters, social media, and more.
Contribute to trusted and impactful science. By working with ILSI, you can integrate your expertise with others' while staying up to date with the latest scientific developments. This also helps to enrich the careers of professionals and other stakeholders working with ILSI.

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About ILSI

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is a global, nonprofit federation committed to improving public and planetary health by convening international experts from academia, the public sector, the private sector and other NGOs to advance evidence-based scientific research.

ILSI operates within a framework of the highest principles of scientific integrity. Our trusted professionals and volunteers around the world work synergistically and transparently across sectors and disciplines.