Amino Acid and Essential Fatty Acid in Evacuation Shelter Food in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Comparison with the 2024 Simultaneous National Survey in Japan

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2024 Dec 17

PMID 39683578

Authors

Takamitsu Sakamoto

Hiroyo Miyata

Ayako Tsunou

Yoko Hokotachi

Satoshi Sasaki

Teruyoshi Amagai

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: On 1 January 2024, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula. We entered the disaster area to provide relief and set up a makeshift clinic in an evacuation center to evaluate the quality and quantity of food provided there.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, of mainly older adults, was conducted to analyze the amino acid and fatty acid composition of evacuation shelter meals in comparison with the results of the Japan National Survey, mainly focused on older adults. (1) We analyzed 11 evacuation foods using the "Duplicated Combination" Model and the digestible amino acid score (DIAAS) in relation to the half-life determined by the N-terminal amino acid proteins. (2) Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) levels were compared with European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations (3). The national survey of emergency food stocks in 198 hospitals and 189 social care institutions conducted in Jan 2024 was analyzed.

Results: (1) DIAAS was less than 1.00 for all 11 foods provided and was considered inadequate, (2) the half-life of the protein, whose -terminal valine has a half-life of 100 h, must be considered a possible deficiency when living in a shelter for more than a week, (3) LA and ALA levels were less than 40% of EFSA recommended, (4) the nationwide survey found that 80% of people have a three-day supply and data on amino acids and fatty acids were not available due to a lack of questionnaires.

Conclusion: Analysis of food in evacuation shelters after the Noto Peninsula earthquake revealed the quality of amino acids involved in shelter meals using DIAAS and the lack of LA and ALA for older adults. The "Duplicated Combination" model used in this analysis could be beneficial for developing improved nutrition plans in similar future scenarios, mainly for older adults.

References

Sato-Shirai I, Ogawa E, Arisaka A, Osaka H, Murayama K, Kuwajima M . Valine-restricted diet for patients with ECHS1 deficiency: Divergent clinical outcomes in two Japanese siblings. Brain Dev. 2020; 43(2):308-313. DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2020.10.003. View

Bachmair A, Finley D, Varshavsky A . In vivo half-life of a protein is a function of its amino-terminal residue. Science. 1986; 234(4773):179-86. DOI: 10.1126/science.3018930. View

Gonda D, Bachmair A, Wunning I, Tobias J, Lane W, Varshavsky A . Universality and structure of the N-end rule. J Biol Chem. 1989; 264(28):16700-12. View

Phillips S . Current Concepts and Unresolved Questions in Dietary Protein Requirements and Supplements in Adults. Front Nutr. 2017; 4:13. PMC: 5420553. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2017.00013. View

Vinke J, Gorter A, Eisenga M, Dam W, van der Meer P, van den Born J . Iron deficiency is related to lower muscle mass in community-dwelling individuals and impairs myoblast proliferation. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023; 14(4):1865-1879. PMC: 10401536. DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13277. View

Olaniyan E, OHalloran F, McCarthy A . Dietary protein considerations for muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass preservation in older adults. Nutr Res Rev. 2020; 34(1):147-157. DOI: 10.1017/S0954422420000219. View

Hammer L, Moretti D, Betrix C, Kandiah P, Pellegri A, Abbuhl-Eng L . In vitro DIAAS of Swiss soybean cultivars using the INFOGEST model: Increase in protein quality from soybean to soymilk and tofu. Food Res Int. 2024; 178:113947. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.113947. View

Borack M, Volpi E . Efficacy and Safety of Leucine Supplementation in the Elderly. J Nutr. 2016; 146(12):2625S-2629S. PMC: 5118760. DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.230771. View

Dupont J, Wauters E, Dedeyne L, Vercauteren L, Amini N, Lapauw L . Are dietary intake and nutritional status of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids correlated with sarcopenia outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia? - Exploratory results from ENHANce. BMC Geriatr. 2023; 23(1):272. PMC: 10161444. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04007-9. View

10.

. Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2008; (935):1-265, back cover. View

11.

Sanchez-Garcia J, Munoz-Pina S, Garcia-Hernandez J, Tarrega A, Heredia A, Andres A . Protein digestibility and ACE inhibitory activity of fermented flours in older adults and standard gastrointestinal simulation. Food Res Int. 2024; 180:114080. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114080. View

12.

Meza-Valderrama D, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Messaggi-Sartor M, Munoz-Redondo E, Morgado-Perez A, Tejero-Sanchez M . Supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate after resistance training in post-acute care patients with sarcopenia: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024; 119:105323. DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105323. View

13.

Therdyothin A, Phiphopthatsanee N, Isanejad M . The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Sarcopenia: Mechanism of Action and Potential Efficacy. Mar Drugs. 2023; 21(7). PMC: 10381755. DOI: 10.3390/md21070399. View

14.

Sakamoto T, Asano K, Miyata H, Amagai T . Meals in Shelters during Noto Peninsula Earthquakes Are Deficient in Energy and Protein for Older Adults Vulnerable to the Disaster: Challenges and Responses. Nutrients. 2024; 16(12). PMC: 11207093. DOI: 10.3390/nu16121904. View

15.

Tobias J, Shrader T, Rocap G, Varshavsky A . The N-end rule in bacteria. Science. 1991; 254(5036):1374-7. DOI: 10.1126/science.1962196. View

16.

Chang M, Choo Y . Effects of Whey Protein, Leucine, and Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients with Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023; 15(3). PMC: 9920795. DOI: 10.3390/nu15030521. View

17.

Dupont J, Dedeyne L, Dalle S, Koppo K, Gielen E . The role of omega-3 in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2019; 31(6):825-836. PMC: 6583677. DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01146-1. View

18.

Szwiega S, Pencharz P, Rafii M, Lebarron M, Chang J, Ball R . Dietary leucine requirement of older men and women is higher than current recommendations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020; 113(2):410-419. PMC: 7851820. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa323. View

19.

Su H, Zhou H, Gong Y, Xiang S, Shao W, Zhao X . The effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate or HMB-rich nutritional supplements on sarcopenia patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024; 11:1348212. PMC: 11272589. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1348212. View

20.

Fan R, Chen Q, Song L, Wang S, You M, Cai M . The Validity and Feasibility of Utilizing the Photo-Assisted Dietary Intake Assessment among College Students and Elderly Individuals in China. Nutrients. 2024; 16(2). PMC: 10818835. DOI: 10.3390/nu16020211. View