Información adicional

• Num_publicacion 67(5)
• Resumen_ingles

  Functional food are those which demonstrated satisfactorily that they have a beneficial effect on one or several specific functions of the organism, beyond the nutritional effects. The above mentioned food must demonstrate its effects when they are consumed in the usual quantities of the diet. The functional food can be natural food, to which a component has been added or eliminated by means of the food technology; food to which the nature or the bioavailability of one or more components has been modified or any combination of the previous possibilities. The functional foods are not the nutritional supplements.

  From all the functional foods, the ones that have a major scientific interest in the current moment as regards to childhood are prebiotics, probiotics and the food rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

  The pediatrician must know the concept and limitations of its definition since nowadays the nutrition declarations are already defined based on European legislation but the declarations about the health properties have not yet been defined. This legal emptiness can determine an abuse of certain food while seeking a preventive effect and it is not demonstrated that they are exempt of risks at a long-term. It has to be remembered that a varied and balanced diet is still the best option to prevent diseases and keep a suitable health condition.

• Palabras_clave_ingles Functional foods regulation safety health declaration nutritional profile dose effect
• Todos_autores I. Vitoria Miñana, J. Dalmau Serra
• autores listados I. Vitoria Miñana, J. Dalmau Serra
• Correspondecia
  I. Vitoria Miñana. Unidad de Nutrición y Metabolopatías. Hospital Infantil «La Fe». Avda. Campanar, 21. 46009 Valencia.
  Correo electrónico: vitoria_isi@gva.es
• Titulo_ingles Functional food in pediatrics. current legal situation and practical implications
• Centros_trabajo Unidad de Nutrición y Metabolopatías. Hospital «La Fe». Valencia
• Publicado en Acta Pediatr Esp. 2009; 67(5): 223-230
• copyright ©2009 Ediciones Mayo, S.A.
• Fecha recepcion 09/01/09
• Fecha aceptacion 06/02/09