“Nutrition is certainly not just a question of nutrients: we live in an era in which depression is becoming the most widespread disease in the world. At risk today is above all Gen Z, the first generation in the history of humanity that has become teenager with a smartphone. Think about what a few extra pounds can mean for a teenager today, and vice versa how important it is to enjoy the family table: a habit that is the true 'heart' of the Mediterranean diet. It is necessary to redefine nutrition in a positive way and inclusive”. Thus the head of Nutrimi, Alessandra Ciliberto, on the occasion of the 18th edition of the Practical Nutrition Forum which ends today in Milan. The event, which brought together more than 70 national and international speakers, was the opportunity for a discussion on the most current topics in the world of healthy eating and to keep up with the latest scientific developments, also giving the possibility of earning up to 40 Ecm credits.
Nutrimi 2024 – we read in a note – started the work by addressing one of the hottest topics that intersect the world of nutrition: Lifestyle Medicine, an innovative approach to health, which is not limited to the simple management of diseases, but embraces a holistic vision of health, with the patient at the center of everything. From the promotion of healthy eating habits to the focus on stress management, Lifestyle Medicine acts as a fundamental building block for the future of preventive medicine, offering a personalized and complete approach to achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health. In particular, generation Z, increasingly sensitive to issues related to mental health and sustainability, turns out to be a priority for the healthcare sector, starting from the table.
Sport nutrition and specific nutrition for all age groups, but with specific attention to gender, were the topics of the first day in which the topic of women's nutrition was addressed in detail. “Even today we are witnessing a certain gender disparity in the protection of health between men and women – underlines Lucilla Titta, PhD, nutritionist and researcher at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan – However, the promotion of women's health is essential to improve the well-being of the entire community and nutrition plays a key role in this direction.” The discussion therefore concerned the new and innovative integration strategies during menopause and the role of nutraceuticals from a preventive perspective against the development of degenerative diseases.
On the second day of Nutrimi, attention was focused on the important theme of nutrition, longevity and healthy aging, exploring the essential link between what we eat and the aging process, delving into the complexity of the relationships that exist between the genetic diversity of an individual, genomic functionality and diet, discovering practical strategies to maintain an active and energetic life even as the years pass. Specifically, considering the importance of physical activity in healthy aging, the experts discussed sports nutrition, focusing above all on the athlete and the most effective methodologies for improving performance. In this discussion, the importance of nutraceutical supplements emerged which “with their potential to reduce pain and inflammation – observes Alessandro Colletti, secretary of the Italian Society of Nutraceutical Formulators (Sifnut) – present themselves as a valid alternative to conventional therapy, contributing to minimize its side effects. The careful choice of the active ingredient and dosage plays a fundamental role, as does the correct bionutraceutical formulation”.
At Nutrimi 2024, which talks about the food of the future and its main challenges, also at a systemic and cultural level, in-depth analysis on plant-based meat substitutes and the use of insects in snacks, an alternative source of proteins that is gaining ground on the global food scene. “Insects as an alternative source of proteins are gaining ground, offering sustainable solutions in an increasingly resource-hungry world – concludes Costanza Jucker, expert from the Department of Food, Nutrition and Environmental Sciences at the University of Milan – But despite their ecological potential, consumer acceptance remains an obstacle to overcome. Psychological barriers must be approached with caution as we venture into this new food frontier.”
The scientific program was carried out with the collaboration of: Order of biologists of Lombardy, Sinupe (Italian Society of Pediatric Nutrition), Sifnut, Sisdca (Italian Society for the study of eating disorders) and the Italian Society for the study of atherosclerosis.
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