How nutrition innovation can improve our health

With new threats to human health, including the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting immunity remains a top health priority for consumers worldwide. Vitamin D, also typically known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, is usually associated with bone and muscle health. But its importance and fundamental role in immune health is also becoming more widely recognized, including its positive impact on immune cell function and influence on the inflammatory response, both of which are critical in resolving an infection. Most notably, emerging scientific evidence supports the role of vitamin D in the body’s response against acute respiratory infections. A rapidly growing body of new scientific data suggests a link between optimal vitamin D status and lower risk and severity of COVID-19 infection[i].

Nutrition experts recognize that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in many societies, especially in the autumn and winter seasons when individuals are less exposed to sunlight. In fact, it is estimated that 88% of the global population has an insufficient vitamin D status[ii] with Switzerland comparable at 78%[iii]. This has been further exacerbated for many during the pandemic due to shielding, which has meant even less time spent outdoors.

Dietary supplements promote our health

As food sources are generally low in vitamin D, it is almost impossible to achieve the recommended vitamin D levels from diets alone[iv], hence vitamin D fortified foods and dietary supplements play an important role in helping individuals achieve optimal vitamin D intake. Vitamin supplements however should not replace a balanced and healthy diet. Optimizing vitamin D intake will improve vitamin D blood levels, but the efficiency of this is dependent on the form of vitamin D; traditional or conventional vitamin D supplements are less bioavailable (meaning the degree and rate of absorption), and it can therefore often take months to bring vitamin D status to optimal levels.

Our health & nutrition member company DSM has developed ampli-D®, which is another form of vitamin D (calcifediol) naturally present in food sources like fish, milk and eggs. It is also the most common form of vitamin D in our body. Ampli-D® brings all the benefits of vitamin D, but is three times faster and more effective at raising vitamin D levels than traditional supplements, and thereby improves vitamin D status in days to weeks. The ability to raise our vitamin D levels quickly is hence more important than ever, helping to support peoples’ immunity during the current global pandemic as fast as possible.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™

Royal DSM is a global, purpose-led, science-based company active in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living. DSM’s purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM addresses with its products and solutions some of the world’s biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental and societal value for all its stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. DSM delivers innovative solutions for human nutrition, animal nutrition, personal care and aroma, medical devices, green products and applications, and new mobility and connectivity.