IO, Denpasar – Vitamin D deficiency is a problem among children in Indonesia, as it can impair growth and trigger bone disease, as well as incurring non-communicable diseases such as immunity, genetic disease, and heart and kidney disorders. The best source of Vitamin D is from the sun, but the change in lifestyles has limited children’s exposure to sunshine.
“Children leave home to go to school in the morning and return in the afternoon, so the time to get exposure to sunshine has decreased,” said Dr.rer.nat. Ronny Martien, M.Si., a researcher at Faculty of Pharmacy of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta recently during the Ritech Expo 2019 held in Denpasar, Bali, to media.
Ronny said vitamin D was almost unavailable naturally in the food we consume unless artificially added. So, to overcome the deficiency vitamins are added. However, for certain diseases, vitamin D cannot dissolve in fats.
Concerned with this problem, Ronny and Prof. dr. Madarina Julia, Sp.A(K) tried to make a breakthrough by creating vitamin D supplements that can be used by children suffering from the deficiency. It is called as OST-D, and it dissolves in water.
“OST-D is easy to be absorbed by the digestive system, even for those that cannot digest fats because it is formulated into a nanoparticle that dissolves in water,” he described.
Besides, the OST-D that is formulated in high concentrate drops will allow easier intake in small volumes by children. Ronny said the product could be given to kids of all ages, even premature babies. It can be mixed with all types of food and drink, including milk, without eliminating their benefit. Due to its small volume, the taste will not be detectable in food or beverages.
“The OST-D formula does not contain sugar, so it is safe for patients with diabetes mellitus,” he explained.
OST-D is an innovative product created through excellent research in the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing and Faculty of Pharmacy UGM. Marketed through PT Swayasa Prakarsa in cooperation with LAFIAL, the product has earned NIE from BPOM POM SD 191695921 and is ready for distribution. Coming in 5 ml dosages, it was introduced to the public in the Ritech Expo 2019 to celebrate National Technology Awakening Day done in Puputan Margarana Renon, Denpasar, end of August 2019. (*/est)