Micronutrient supplementation in animal nutrition and impact on human health
In general, people are aware of the dangers of nutritional excesses – high calories, high salt, high sugar. But there is now an increasing awareness of the prevalence and importance of nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies are seen at the more general level as diets low in whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fibre. But there are also individual micronutrients such as the marine-derived omega 3 fatty acids EPA & DHA, vitamin D, iron, calcium, zinc which are an issue. From a UK perspective many of the foods that are rich in these micronutrients are not widely consumed. For example oily fish (such as salmon and mackerel) is a source of both vitamin D and EPA & DHA. However research shows that in the UK only 25% of people are classified as oily fish consumers, and only 4.4% of children aged 4-11 years consume the recommended 1 portion of oily fish per week. The reason these low levels are of such concern is because elevated blood levels of EPA & DHA are strongly and consistently associated with protection from heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and improved brain health – all leading causes of death and disability in the UK. In the case of vitamin D, 40% of the EU population has been estimated to be deficient. Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of normal bones, muscle function and teeth, and also contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
What will I gain from this webinar?
- Identify practical and meaningful solutions to tackling micronutrient deficiency through expansion of food choice
- Learn and understand the effect of animals diets and the influence on human health
- Develop an understanding of ‘bioenrichment’ to increase the nutritive content in animals
Endorsement No EN175.48
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 2 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Micronutrient supplementation in animal nutrition and impact on human health2
Instructor
Dr Eva Lewis is currently working as Head of Food Innovation with Humanativ, having previously served in the same role with Devenish. Humanativ is an innovation spin-off from the animal nutrition company Devenish. The focus of Humanativ is on bio-enrichment of meat, milk and eggs through animal nutrition; with a particular focus on omega 3 DHA enrichment; to create nutritionally superior food for consumers, whilst ensuring optimum animal health and welfare, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Eva previously worked with Teagasc, based at the Moorepark Research Centre. Her focus there was on dairy cow nutrition, with a particular focus on grass digestion, and subsequent effects on milk composition and the environment. Prior to that Eva worked as a Research Nutritionist with the animal nutrition company Provimi as part of their global research team in Brussels; and then as Purchasing and Technical Manager for the Irish wing of Provimi named NuTec. Eva graduated from UCD with a PhD in animal science in 2003 and with a 1st class honours degree in animal science in 2000.
