Preface

The reports included in this publication are based on presentations from Special Conferences on Functional Foods for Health Promotion cosponsored by the North American Branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI North America) Technical Committee on Food Components for Health Promotion with the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (ASNS) at Experimental Biology (EB) meetings in 2002 and 2003.

The Technical Committee on Food Components for Health Promotion of ILSI's goal is to increase understanding of the role of food components in human health promotion; monitor research and promote efforts of scientists from industry, government, and academia related to the development and application of such food components; and disseminate these findings. The committee collaborated with the ASNS to sponsor a conference at the annual EB meeting to ensure that fundamental research questions regarding the public health benefits of foods, beyond basic nutrition, are addressed and then disseminated to the public.

Beliefs that foods, or their components, may offer benefits beyond basic nutrition continue to intrigue not only the scientific and healthcare communities but also the general public. These beliefs are increasingly supported by research that points to the intrinsic linkage of diet with health promotion and disease prevention. Several studies have identified biomarkers that may serve as effective tools for evaluating not only intakes of foods and components but also for processes that may be linked directly or indirectly with a physiological response. These reports provide insights into current knowledge about biomarkers for evaluating intake/exposure to foods and components and for coupling these measurements with biomarkers for health and wellness.