Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
phosphorus and function of cell membranes (ID 328), energy-yielding
metabolism (ID 329, 373) and maintenance of bone and teeth (ID 324, 327)
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:
Phosphorus
bone
cell membrane
energy metabolism
health claims
minerals
teeth
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is phosphorus, which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods.
Phosphorus occurs naturally in foods and it is authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to phosphorus naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, phosphorus, which is the subject of the health claims is sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Funkcjonowanie błon komórkowych (ID 328)
The claimed effect is “cell membrane's structure (in the form of phospholipids)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal function of cell membranes is beneficial to human health.
2.2. Metabolizm energetyczny (ID 329, 373)
The claimed effects are “energy production” and “energy metabolism”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal energy-yielding metabolism is beneficial to human health.
2.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 324, 327)
The claimed effects are “structure of bones and teeth” and “bone and teeth structure”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal bone and teeth is beneficial to human health.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka
Phosphates are involved in many metabolic and structural functions as well as the regulation of the acid-base balance. Phoshorus is part of many organic compounds such as nucleic acids, inositol triphosphate, creatine-phosphate, ATP, AMP or phospholipids. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in energy metabolism as it intervenes in the production, storage and transfer of energy. Phosphorylation- dephosphorylation reactions are crucial to many aspects of metabolic control (Anderson et al., 2006).
3.1. Funkcjonowanie błon komórkowych (ID 328)
Phosphorus is a component of phospholipids, the major constituents of most biological membranes. Phosphorus-depleted rats show several abnormalities including reduction of myocardial inorganic phosphorus, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, total phospholipid phosphorus and impaired fatty acid oxidation; all suggesting defective phospholipid synthesis as a mechanism to explain cellular membrane injury (Knochel, 2006; IoM, 1997).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of phosphorus and the normal function of cell membranes. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of phosphorus leading to impaired function of cell membranes occurs in the general EU population.
3.2. Metabolizm energetyczny (ID 329, 373)
Energy production and storage in the body depend on adequate sources of phosphorus including adenosine triphosphate, creatine phosphate, and other phosphorylated compounds (Knochel, 2006).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of phosphorus and normal energy-yielding metabolism. However, the evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of phosphorus leading to impaired energy metabolism occurs in the general EU population.
3.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 324, 327)
Phosphorus is a structural component of bone and teeth. Between 80 and 85% (600-900 g in adults) of total body phosphorus exists as phosphate in the calcium salt hydroxyapatite. Inorganic phosphorus (Pi) moves in and out of bone mineral by two processes: ionic exchange and active bone resorption. Adequate phosphorus intake throughout childhood and adolescence is needed to achieve maximum peak bone mass in young adulthood which is a determinant of bone mineral status in later life. Bone tissue typically has a slow rate of turnover (remodelling) in adults, but its dynamic ion exchange permits the maintenance of Pi concentration as well as that of the ionic calcium in blood serum and extracellular fluids (Anderson et al., 2006; IoM, 1997). Calcium, phosphate, and fluoride in saliva, plaque fluid, and the inter-crystal water are key components for maintaining intact hydroxyapatite crystals in teeth (ten Cate et al., 2008).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of phosphorus and maintenance of normal bone and teeth. However, the evidence provided does not establish that intake of phosphorus inadequate for the maintenance of normal bone and teeth occurs in the general EU population.
4. Uwagi do zaproponowanego brzmienia oświadczenia
4.1. Funkcjonowanie błon komórkowych (ID 328)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes”.
4.2. Metabolizm energetyczny (ID 329, 373)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Phosphorus contributes to energy metabolism”.
4.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 324, 327)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bone and teeth”.
5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims a food should be at least a source of phosphorus as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have not been established for phosphorus in children, adolescents and adults.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, phosphorus, which is the subject of the health claims is sufficiently characterised.
Function of cell membranes (ID 328)
The claimed effect is “cell membrane's structure (in the form of phospholipids)”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal function of cell membranes is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of phosphorus and normal function of cell membranes.
The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of phosphorus leading to impaired function of cell membranes occurs in the general EU population.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes”.
Energy-yielding metabolism (ID 329, 373)
The claimed effects are “energy production” and “energy metabolism”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal energy-yielding metabolism is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of phosphorus and normal energy-yielding metabolism.
The evidence provided does not establish that inadequate intake of phosphorus leading to impaired energy-yielding metabolism occurs in the general EU population.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Phosphorus contributes to energy metabolism”.
Maintenance of bone and teeth (ID 324, 327)
The claimed effects are “structure of bones and teeth” and “bone and teeth structure”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Maintenance of normal bone and teeth is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of phosphorus and maintenance of normal bone and teeth.
The evidence provided does not establish that intake of phosphorus inadequate for the maintenance of normal bone and teeth occurs in the general EU population.
The following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bone and teeth.”
Conditions and possible restrictions of use
In order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of phosphorus as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.
