Author: Рогова Стефания Евгеньевна, Упатова Антонина Геннадьевна, Попова Ульяна Борисовна | Rogova Stefania, Upatova Antonina, Popova Ulyana
introduction:
Unbalanced nutrition is one of the most pressing problems of modern society, since it is this aspect that affects the quality of life of people and worsens the immune abilities of the body. An unbalanced diet is caused by a small amount of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, seafood containing omega-3 fatty acids, and a high content of sodium, genetically modified and industrially processed refined products, food additives, dyes and fast food [1]. At the moment, the market is oversaturated with various dietary supplements, therefore, difficulties arise with the conscious choice of the optimal product, as a result of which it is necessary to develop a complex drug capable of filling the minimum daily nutrient requirement.
Macro- and microelements are one of the most important substances that come from food, since normal development of the body is impossible without them [2]. If there is a shortage of even one nutrient, biochemical or physiological processes can slow down or stop, which negatively affects vital activity in general. Moreover, it is necessary to have both macronutrients that provide a person with energy and are a building material for updating the cellular composition of organs and tissues, as well as trace elements that are involved in metabolic and immune processes [3].
Today, many people do not have the opportunity to eat a balanced diet due to lack of sufficient free time, poor food quality, stressful living circumstances and financial issues [4,5]. And the development of the fast-food concept only exacerbates the problem, since such food does not provide a set of substances that the body needs [6]. Processing also reduces the amount of macro- and microelements needed by the body. For example, heat treatment of food, which is one of the main ones, affects protein structures, disrupting their structure and properties, which leads to a decrease in the beneficial effects of food [7]. Moreover, some combinations of products may not meet the conditions for the assimilation of the necessary nutrients [8]. Given the fact that not everyone is willing to spend time selecting several supplements to correct the daily diet, creating a single product combining nutrients will become a panacea for the global community and will reduce morbidity by correcting risk factors and increasing the protective ability of the immune system.
Thus, the uniqueness of this work lies in the development of an exhaustive composition of a dietary supplement that will include all the necessary nutrients in a minimum daily dose in order to prevent diseases associated with a lack of nutrients.
THE MAIN PART:
1. Types of nutrients and their functions in the body.
1.1. Macronutrients.
Carbohydrates predominate in the human diet, as they are the main source of energy, and are also part of molecules such as ATP, DNA and RNA [9]. One of the carbohydrates that are difficult for the human body to digest is fiber, which is necessary to reduce "bad cholesterol" in the blood, regulate intestinal motility, and maintain its microflora involved in the synthesis of vitamins B and K [10].
In addition to carbohydrates, fats are an important source of energy, which, in addition, also perform a building function in cells, and fatty acids contained in lipids are used in the synthesis of biologically active substances. Some fatty acids, for example, linoleic and 𝛼-linolenic acids, are essential, therefore it is necessary to ensure their access with food for the full functioning of the body. These acids perform the following functions: reduce blood pressure by reducing the level of angiotensin converting enzyme in the aorta, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent hyperglycemia, regulate lipid metabolism [11].
Another important macronutrient is a protein that performs various functions in the body: enzymatic, structural, regulatory, protective, energetic, signaling, receptor and transport. It is noteworthy that it is due to protein food that a person can replenish the supply of essential and semi-interchangeable amino acids (essential), which are not synthesized by the body on their own. The insufficiency of their intake reduces cognitive activity, increases the risk of developing dementia, impaired growth and development of the child, and a decrease in the immune response [11-14]. Due to this feature, it is necessary to ensure their constant intake into the human body.
1.2. Vitamins.
The role of each vitamin in the body is individual.
For example, vitamins A and D play a key role in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis. Both epithelial and a large number of immune cells of the gastrointestinal tract express vitamin A and D receptors [15]. Some clinical data show that children with sufficient amounts of vitamin A have more diverse microbial communities compared to children with vitamin A deficiency [11].
Vitamin C plays an important role in the regulation of cognitive functions of the brain, participates in the maturation and differentiation of neurons, in the formation of myelin and modulation of the cholinergic, catecholinergic and glutaminergic systems. Vitamin B6, in turn, participating in metabolism, affects the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. Vitamin E, known for its antioxidant function, also helps to prevent the development of upper respiratory tract infections, and vitamin K is necessary for the synthesis of proteins that are responsible for blood coagulation. Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, becomes active after ingestion and participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids [15].
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the metabolism of fatty acids and ketogenic amino acids, which makes it necessary to maintain the constancy of all metabolic processes of the body. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is also a coenzyme for many biochemical processes. And DNA replication, which underlies the preservation and transfer of genetic information between cells, occurs with the participation of folic acid (vitamin B9), the lack of which will increase the likelihood of cancer cells [15].
Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is involved in the body's redox reactions and other metabolic processes. Choline is currently not classified as a vitamin, but one cannot deny the fact that its role for the body is enormous: it participates in the biosynthesis of phospholipids, betaine, as well as one of the neurotransmitters – acetylcholine. [15]
Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, when ingested, turns into pantethine, which is part of coenzyme A, necessary in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Another coenzyme involved in the regulation of fat and protein balance is vitamin B7 or biotin [15].
1.3. Minerals.
Various minerals also play an important role for the human body. For example, calcium, sodium, potassium and chlorine are intracellular mediators that are responsible for various processes: maintaining cellular homeostasis, contraction of muscle cells, secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones.[16]
Chromium participates in metabolic processes, copper regulates the activity of chondro- and osteoblasts, and zinc deficiency leads to impaired proliferation, differentiation and activation of lymphocytes [11].
Fluoride is responsible for the strength and health of teeth, and iodine is needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. Heme, which is a structural unit of hemoglobin, contains iron. Magnesium is a cofactor of many reactions occurring in the body and has a neuroprotective effect due to its effect on NMDA receptors, and manganese has an effect on the condition of the gonads [16].
Molybdenum takes part in nitrogen metabolism in the body as well as in tissue respiration, phosphorus is part of phospholipids, phosphoproteins and other structural molecules of the body. Selenium has a great effect on the body due to its assistance in the absorption of iodine and vitamin E [16].
2. Analysis of the diet of a modern person.
To date, studies show that people do not consume enough nutrients with food and are forced to supplement their diet with vitamin supplements to maintain a normal nutrient composition (see Appendix Fig. 1) [17].
To solve the above-mentioned problem, we initiate the execution of work, the essence of which is to create a nutrient concentrate for daily use with all the macro- and microelements necessary for the body, which will allow you to adjust the diet and eliminate the need to select dietary supplements individually. But the concentration of nutrients will be calculated according to the minimum daily rate in order to avoid hypervitaminosis, since people with food still consume a certain amount of substances necessary for the body. Based on these conclusions, we propose the following hypothesis: if we determine the average value of nutrients needed by the body per day, we will be able to develop requirements for the biochemical composition of a dietary supplement.
It is important to take into account that the recipe for nutrient concentrate cannot be universal for all people, so we consider it rational to divide the mix packages into men's and women's, as well as by age groups.
As an example, we will calculate the optimal value of nutrients for men and women in the age group of 20-30 years. The calculation is based on the required diet for a person of average parameters: for men - 25 years, 179 cm, 81 kg; for women - 25 years, 166 cm, 63 kg [18] with a low level of physical activity (see Appendix Tables 1-3). The data on the basis of which the daily needs of all elements were calculated were obtained using the DRI Calculator for Healthcare Professionals [19].
conclusion:
Based on the obtained values of the daily requirement for macro- and micronutrients, it is possible to develop a mix concentrate suitable for use by people who do not follow their diet, have problems with appetite or with replenishing the amount of nutrients due to regional and climatic characteristics. Also, a significant advantage is the fact that there is no need to carry out an individual selection of food additives, which saves time and financial resources for each person, without reducing the effectiveness of the product.
With mass production and good distribution of the mix concentrate by 2100, the following improvements are expected: the risk of infection with parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases due to insufficient food processing will decrease, socio-economic provision of disadvantaged regions will improve, and the level of obese people will decrease, which is an urgent and progressive problem in the modern world [20].
At the moment, we understand that it is difficult to create such a mix concentrate with existing technologies, because there is a biochemical inconsistency between some components that does not allow combining nutrients into one composition. Therefore, there is a possibility that it is necessary to divide the resulting supplement into two packages for morning and evening intake, respectively, in order to eliminate the antagonistic effects of the components on each other. Also, for simple use, it is necessary to develop a convenient form of release, for example, in the form of a doy-pack, so that the use of the additive does not require special methods or special conditions.
With the systematic use of this product, it is expected to improve the immune abilities of the body, which in turn will lead to an improvement in the quality of life and reduce the risks of developing diseases in the population.