Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
phospholipids and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative
damage (ID 1834), memory, learning capacity and attention, and function
of the nervous system (ID 1835) pursuant to Article 13(1) of
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
Phospholipids
concentration
health claims
immune system
immunity
learning
memory
nervous system
oxidative damage
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is phospholipids which are a major component of all cell membranes. Most phospholipids contain a diglyceride, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule such as choline.
The proposed source of phospholipids is from animal lecithin water emulsion derived from the brain tissue of domestic pig. Active constituents of the animal lecithin water emulsion derived from the brain tissue of domestic pig emulsion include linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid as fatty acids and choline. No further details are given in the references provided on either the production process or the composition of this phospholipid emulsion.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, phospholipids, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 1834)
The claimed effect is “immunity”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
“Immunity” is not sufficiently defined. In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to “repairing oxidation damage of cells”.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) including several kinds of radicals are generated in biochemical processes (e.g. respiratory chain) and as a consequence of exposure to exogenous factors (e.g. radiation, pollutants). These reactive intermediates damage biologically relevant molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids if they are not intercepted by the antioxidant network which includes free radical scavengers like antioxidant nutrients.
The Panel considers that the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage is beneficial to human health.
2.2. Pamięć, zdolność uczenia się i utrzymywania uwagi i funkcjonowanie układu nerwowego (ID 1835)
The claimed effect is “mental state and performance”. The Panel assumed that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to memory, learning and concentration (attention), and function of the nervous system.
The Panel considers that normal memory, learning capacity and attention, and normal function of the nervous system are beneficial to human health.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka -
3.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 1834)
Ten references were cited to substantiate the claimed effect. The Panel notes that none of these references was related to the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of phospholipids and the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
3.2. Pamięć, zdolność uczenia się i utrzymywania uwagi i funkcjonowanie układu nerwowego (ID 1835)
The references cited to substantiate the claimed effects included 10 references of which four were on lecithin, one was on choline alfoscerate, one on docosahexaenoic acid, two on omega-3-fatty acids and two on fatty acids in general.
Five references were related to memory, learning and concentration: two reviews on positive effects from fatty acids on brain function; two studies on lecithin treatment of patients with Alzheimers disease and patients with impaired cognitive functions, respectively; and, one study on choline alfoscerate and cognitive impairment of patients with mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type. The other five references were related to the nervous system: three were reviews on effects of fatty acids in neurological development, on neuroprotective effects in the retina and on membrane
structure and function of neuronal tissues; and two were on lecithin as a possible treatment of tardive dyskinesia.
The Panel considers that the evidence provided does not establish that results obtained with the patient populations studied can be extrapolated to the general population, and that the other references provided did not address the relationship between the consumption of phospholipids (animal lecithin water emulsion derived from the brain tissue of domestic pig) and memory, learning, attention and function of the nervous system.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of phospholipids and normal memory, learning capacity and attention, and normal function of the nervous system.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data available, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, phospholipids, which is the subject of the health claim, is not sufficiently characterised.
Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1834)
The claimed effect is “immunity”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of phospholipids and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
Memory, learning and concentration, and function of the nervous system (ID 1835)
The claimed effect is “mental state and performance”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal memory, learning capacity and attention, and normal function of the nervous system are beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of phospholipids and normal memory, learning capacity and attention, and normal function of the nervous system.
