Vitamin D deficiency is a problem among children in Indonesia. This deficiency can prevent growth and trigger bone disease as well as 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 of life styles has limited children’s exposure to sunrays.
“Children leave home to go to school in the morning and return in the afternoon, so the time to get sunray exposures has decreased,” said Dr.rer.nat. Ronny Martien, M.Si., researcher at Faculty of Pharmacy UGM recently during the Ritech Expo 2019 held in Denpasar, Bali.
Ronny said Vitamin D was almost unavailable naturally in the food we consume, unless artificially added. So to overcome the deficiency can be done by giving the vitamin. But in 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 making 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 can 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 all ages, even premature babies. It can be mixed with all types of food and drink, including milk, without eliminating the benefit of them. Due to its small volume, the taste will not be detectable in the food or drinks.
“The OST-D formula does not contain sugar, so it is safe for patients of diabetes mellitus,” he explained.
OST-D is an innovative product of research of excellence from 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 ready for distribution. Coming in 5 ml dosage, it is introduced to the public in the Ritech Expo 2019 to celebrate National Technology Awakening Day done in Puputan Margarana Renon, Denpasar, from 25-28 August 2019.