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Review
. 2024 Aug 13;16(8):e66813.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.66813. eCollection 2024 Aug.

A Life-Stage Approach to Precision Nutrition: A Narrative Review

Yeong Sook Yoon  1 , Hye In Lee  2 , Sang Woo Oh  3
Affiliations
Review

A Life-Stage Approach to Precision Nutrition: A Narrative Review

Yeong Sook Yoon et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The concept of precision nutrition highlights the customization of nutrition to specific needs, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is not sufficient for either optimal nutrition or optimal health. Precision nutrition encompasses a range of factors, from broad strata of age and sex categories to personal characteristics such as lifestyle to an individual's unique genotype. This breadth of scope requires us to consider how precision nutrition can be implemented in an inclusive and appropriate way for individuals and groups within real-life populations. In this narrative review, we explore the potential of precision nutrition through a life-stage approach that emphasizes age- and gender-specific nutritional needs as these change across the lifespan. Focusing on adult life stages, we delineated trends in age-related conditions and health needs among Korean adults based on national-level survey data (KNHANES 2019-2021). We also reviewed the intake of nutrients associated with these health needs to better understand how life-stage guided approaches to nutrition and supplementation could support optimal health. Looking beyond preventing deficiency or disease, we discuss how tailored supplementation of essential vitamins, minerals, and certain bioactive substances could promote healthy functioning. Finally, we discuss the complexities and challenges of developing multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS) to support life-stage appropriate nutrition while maximizing adherence. Future prospects include leveraging advancements in intelligent technologies and dietary assessments for tracking nutrient intake and health indicators and using these to optimize MVMS formulations in ways that are sensitive to a person's needs and priorities/preferences at different life stages. By adopting a life-stage guided approach to nutrition, we can better support health and well-being across the lifespan.

Keywords: age grouping; health promotion; healthy aging; life stage nutrition; multivitamin and mineral supplements; nutrition; optimal health; precision nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: Manuscript drafting and editorial support to the authors was funded by Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare Pte Ltd.), and provided by Tech Observer Asia Pacific. Financial relationships: Hye In Lee declare(s) employment from Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare Pte Ltd.). Sang Woo Oh declare(s) Served on an advisory board for Haleon from Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare Pte Ltd.). Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Precision nutrition levels
This figure is modified from “Precision Nutrition” by Francesco Pettini, used under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Prevalence of cardiovascular conditions
MI, Myocardial Infarction The dataset used for this analysis is obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/eng/index.do.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions
OA, Osteoarthritis; RA, Rheumatoid arthritis The dataset used for this analysis is obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/eng/index.do.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Prevalence of other conditions
The dataset used for this analysis is obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/eng/index.do.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Reported intake of important nutrients
n-3 LC PUFAs, n-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; AI, Adequate intake; RNI, Recommended nutrient intake. Red lines represent women and blue lines represent men. A. Mean daily intake of n-3 LC-PUFAs (g/day) among men and women across different age groups. The adequate intake (AI) levels are indicated for each age group; B. Mean daily calcium intake in mg/day among men and women across different age groups. The recommended nutrient intake (RNI) is indicated for each age group; C. Mean daily intake of vitamin D in µg/day among men and women across different age groups. The adequate intake (AI) levels are indicated for each age group; D. Mean daily intake of magnesium in mg/day among men and women across different age groups. The recommended nutrient intake (RNI) levels are shown for each age group. The dataset used for this analysis is obtained from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/eng/index.do.
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