Vitamin D: An Essential Micronutrient for Bone Health

Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient in children for bone mineralization and bone growth. There are two forms of natural vitamin D, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Natural vitamin D is obtained from 2 main sources, dietary vitamin D intake and cutaneous vitamin D synthesis from sunlight exposure. Natural vitamin D requires a 2-step enzymatic hydroxylation process to be turned into active form of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, firstly, 25-hydroxylation in the liver, and secondly, 1α-hydroxylation in the kidneys. Although breast milk is highly nutritive containing adequate amounts of most important vitamins, it contains only a small amount of vitamin D, approximately 15-50 IU/L, which does not reach the recommended daily requirement of 400 IU for infants. Exclusively breastfed infants are at risk to develop vitamin D deficiency if sunlight exposure is limited. Despite the excess of sunshine for the whole year in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, various studies have found that more than 30.0% of children and adolescents had vitamin D insufficiency. The factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency in children include maternal vitamin D deficiency, exclusively breastfed as infants, insufficient daytime outdoor activities, use of sunscreens, extensive skin coverage by clothing, and lack of vitamin D supplementation and dietary fortification. To prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants, a global consensus in 2016 recommended that vitamin D supplementation should be included in routine national health care programs along with other essential micronutrients and immunizations.

EFFECTS OF FEEDING GRADED LEVELS OF ALTERNATIVE LOCALLY PRODUCED NATURAL VITAMIN PREMIX ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

One hundred and twenty (120) Harco laying hens were randomly allocated to diets containing graded levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) of locally produced Natural vitamin premix (LPNVP) with the sole objective of its assessing influence on the laying performance of the hens. Feed intake, percentage Hen-day production (HDP), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), egg weight (EW), egg specific gravity (ESG), egg shell thickness (EST), Haugh unit (HU) and estimated gross profit. (EGP) were not influenced (P < 0.05) by the type of premix used (synthetic or natural). Inclusion of LPNVP in layers’ feed at dietary levels 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% resulted in better egg quality and estimated economic returns than observed in birds fed with the diet containing reference synthetic vitamin premix (SVP)

Effects of graded levels of iron-fortified locally produced natural vitamin premix on the performance and carcass characteristics of broilers

A feeding trial was conducted using broilers to determine the optimum inclusion levels of locally produced natural vitamin premix (LPNVP) and compare the performance to a commercial vitamin mineral premix(CVMP) commonly sold within Nigeria. Feed intake, weight gain and feed utilization efficiency varied (P<0.05) among the various dietary treatments considered. Feed utilization efficiency and weight gain were inversely related to feed intake for birds fed LPNVP-based diets and these measurements were lower (P<0.05) than values observed for birds fed CVMP based diets. Nutrient retentions were also not influenced (P>0.05) by the various inclusion levels of LPNVP studied, although these criteria were also significantly lower for birds fed LPNVP-based diets compared with birds fed CWMP-based diets. Although, dressing percentage was not affected (P>0.05) by the dietary levels, relative fresh organs and primal cut weights were different (P<0.05) for birds fed the various levels of LPNVP and the control birds fed CVMP-based diets. It was however cheaper (P<0.05) to use LPNVP than CVMP as a source of vitamin for broilers.

Effects of Improved (Addition of Antimicrobials and Antioxidants) Locally Produced Natural Vitamin Premix on Performance, Hematology and Some Serum Constituents of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to compare the haematology and some serum constituents and performance of broilers fed diets containing improved (addition of anti-microbial and anti-oxidant) locally produced natural vitamin premix (LPNVP), LPNVP without improvement and commercial vitamin premix (CVMP). Haematology of the birds was not affected by the dietary treatments. However, red blood cell (RBC) count was significantly high (P<0.05) for the birds fed diet containing improved LPNVP The haemoglobin, PCK, RBC and WBC values observed for birds fed improved LPNVP were 13 gm%, 32%, 246 x 1012/L and 3.1 x 1010/L respectively. Serological parameters observed in the study were not significantly different (P>0,.05) for all the dietary conditions studied. Birds fed diet containing improved LPNVP also recorded comparable serum components to control diet containing the commercial vitamin/’mineral premix. Serum calcium, phosphorus, glucose, ureate, creatinine and total protein observed for birds fed diet containing improved LPNVP were 2.32%, 0.70%, 3.60Mmo/L, 2.9Mmo/L, 0.25Mmol/L, 58Mmol/L and 66g/100ml respectively. Feed intake, weight gain and feed utilization were similar (P>0.05) for the various dietary treatments. Birds fed improved LPNVP based diets tended to record better feed intake than did the control birds on CVMP based diets and unimproved LPNVP. Generally, improvement of LPNVP tended to give better performance of broilers than did other dietary treatments.

Neuroprotective Potentials of Natural Vitamin E for Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) refers to a spectrum of clinical and neuroimaging findings resulting from pathological processes of various etiologies affecting cerebral arterioles, perforating arteries, capillaries, and venules. It is the commonest neurological problem that results in significant disability, but awareness of it remains poor. It affects over half of people over 65 years old and inflicts up to third of acute strokes, over 40% of dementia, and a significant decline in physical ability in otherwise asymptomatic, aging individuals. Moreover, the unifying theory for the pathomechanism of the disease remains elusive and hence the apparent ineffective therapeutic approaches. Given the growing literature for natural vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) as a potent antioxidant, this chapter attempts to consolidate the contemporary evidence to shed plausible insights on the neuroprotective potentials of natural vitamin E in addressing the heterogenous CSVD spectrum, in health and in disease.

Pengaruh Konsentrasi Agar-Agar Terhadap Karakteristik Kimia dan Sensori Permen Jelly Buah Mangga Kweni (Mangifera odorata Griff)

Kweni mango is one type of mangoes with natural vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and high fiber. This study aimed to determine agar's effect on the chemical and sensory properties of kweni mango jelly candies. A completely randomized experimental design was applied in this research with three treatment levels, i.e., 2, 3, and 4% of agar. The results showed that agar addition did not significantly affect the moisture and vitamin C content of jelly candies. The moisture and vitamin content of the candies were 1.40-1.50% and 48.37-72.28 mg/100 g, respectively. Panelists, in general, liked (7.28) the taste and texture of the candies with 3% agar. Keywords: agar, kweni fruit, jelly candies ABSTRAK Mangga kweni adalah salah satu buah manga yang memiliki sumber vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C dan serat yang tinggi. Tujuan Penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh konsentrasi agar-agar terhadap karakteristik kimia dan sensori permen jelly buah mangga kweni. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen rancangan acak lengkap satu faktor yaitu konsentrasi agar-agar 2%, 3% dan 4%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan agar-agar tidak memberikan pengaruh terhadap kadar air dan vitamin C pada permen jelly. Mutu kimia kadar air diperoleh 1,40-1,50% dan vitamin C 48,37-72,28 mg/100 g. Rata-rata panelis menyatakan suka terhadap rasa dan tektur dengan rata rata skor 7,28 pada agar-agar 3%. Kata kunci: agar, mangga kweni, permen jelly