BEIJING, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As we get older, we are not only increasingly eager to maintain our young look, but we also hope that our brain response and memory remain good as well. Fortunately, with the development of science and technology, the scientific research products dealing with brain health of the middle-aged and elderly might make it possible to "keep the brain spry".
During the 13th China Nutrition Science Congress held by the Chinese Nutrition Society, Nestle launched "Nestle YIYANG Fuel for brainTM senior milk powder" a new innovative product in the Chinese market. The product is specially designed to help people over 50 years old "refuel their brains and start a new smart life".
Developing a healthy lifestyle and protecting your brain as you age
China is facing a very grim aging trend. As shown by 2010 demographic census data, the population over the age of 50 accounted for 28.3% of the total population; as of 2016, there were 350 million people over 50 years old, accounting for 25% of the total population; by 2050, this proportion may reach 50%. According to Wenhua ZHAO, deputy director of National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the aging of the population, or extended average life expectancy, is the inevitable result of societal progress and development. Middle-aged people and the elderly should pay attention to a balanced intake of nutrients and development of a healthy lifestyle.
According to scientific research, the human brain does not produce its energy, it needs to take in glucose, which is the main energy source, continuously from blood as fuel. When people get older, they tend to have slower reaction times, decreased memory and sometimes they feel their brain cannot fully function. This may be partially associated with the fact that as we age, glucose intake ability and use decreases so that the brain cannot get enough fuel to function optimally.
Another alternative source of brain energy comes from ketone, i.e., when there is lack of energy, ketone as the metabolite of fat, can be taken as alternative energy directly for brain. Guowei HUANG, brain health expert and dean of School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University said, "Compared with healthy young people, the brain of the elderly utilizes glucose at only 85-90% the rate of young people while patients with Alzheimer's disease utilize only around 75%. Studies have shown that medium chain triglyceride (MCT) can be converted into ketone bodies and serve as an alternative source of energy for the minds of the elderly."
Experts believe that reasonable nutritional supplements for the brain help to delay aging and prevent and control various geriatric diseases, so as to achieve the goal of good health and longevity and improved quality of life.
Nestle cares for senior citizen brain health
Compared with long chain triglyceride, MCT (medium chain triglyceride) is easier for intake and metabolism. It can rapidly release energy to quickly provide the brain with energy and nutrients. In the case of under-utilization of glucose, MCT can directly supply energy to the brain in lieu of glucose, supporting the brain's normal energy needs without being stored as fat in the body.
MCT naturally exists in lauric oils such as coconut oil, which is a natural plant source ingredient. MCT has been early applied in medical care products with special needs, like milk powder for premature babies, sports energy products etc. Additionally, MCT has shown potential in research in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
"Nestle YIYANG Fuel for brainTM senior milk powder" contains MCT which can be efficiently converted into ketone, the energy required by brain, to 'feed' the brain. This is why the milk powder is named "Fuel for Brain," said Marianne Tsanis, vice president of Dairy Business Unit, Nestle Greater China.
At present, Chinese people tend to place great emphasis on treatment while placing little emphasis on prevention; however, prevention is more important than treatment for chronic disease management. As a world leader in "Nutrition, Health and Wellness", Nestle is deeply aware that with an increase of age, people need to pay more attention to their daily nutrition intake. Dr. Fabrizio Arigoni, head of Nestle Research Center Asia, will deliver a speech on the challenges of aging from a nutrition and health viewpoint at Aging Nutrition and Successful Aging Session of China Nutrition Science Congress and will emphasize the role that diet can play in preventing the onset of age related diseases. After 50 years old of age, people particularly need nutritious food that meets their age characteristics so as to maintain good health and quality of life. To care for the elderly, in addition to encouraging them to actively participate in physical fitness activities, it is equally important to help them supplement nutritions and build a scientific nutrition structure. The launch of "Nestle YIYANG Fuel for brainTM senior milk powder" is another move to express deep concern for the elderly.
Nestle has specially put forward a new concept of "happy aging" for people above 50 years old. Under this concept, the middle-aged and the elderly are encouraged to actively pursue quality of life and merrily enjoy their life. "As an old Chinese saying goes, 'Diet cures more than the doctors'. Nestle YIYANG has always been committed to providing healthy ideas and nutrition programs for people above 50 years old. We advocate the middle-aged and the elderly to be more proactive in managing their own health, and we also call on everyone no matter what age to pay more attention to their nutrition and health," said Marianne Tsanis, vice president of Dairy Business Unit, Nestle Greater China.
Extended reading:
As the largest food company and a leading company committed to "Nutrition, Health and Wellness", Nestle has been providing nutritious and healthy food for consumers for more than 150 years. Relying on its industry leading research and development capabilities, the network that comprises of 40 centers, Nestle tailors nutrient formula of dairy products for population groups of various ages.
Nestle YIYANG is tailored for Chinese consumers above 50 years old according to their physical characteristics with an aim to provide them with better health and more vitality and enable more possibilities.
Nestle YIYANG has launched three milk powder products for middle-aged and elderly in China, i.e., Nestle YIYANG Jianxin Gold 2-in-1 Formula Senior milk powder, Nestle YIYANG Omega 3:6 Jianxin Senior milk powder and Nestle YIYANG Protects(Yi Hu Yin Zi)Senior milk powder Plus the newly launched " Nestle YIYANG Fuel for brainTM senior milk powder", Nestle YIYANG brand has had four milk powder for middle-aged and the elderly for bones, heart, digestive health and cognitive ability, all of which are the health problems most concerned about by people above 50 years old.
Nestle YIYANG cherishes the demand of middle-aged and elderly people to pursue "happy aging" and helps these people above 50 years old to have a longer and younger state through reasonable dietary nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
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