Nestlé Nutrition Institute fosters continuous education on probiotics

Saturday, 5 March 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nestlé Nutrition organised a scientific symposium in Colombo recently for local Health Care Professionals to discuss the importance of probiotics in Caesarean babies with Prof. Luc Cornette – Prof. of Paediatrics & Neonatology, Head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AZ St Jan Bruges-Ostend AV, Bruges, Belgium, who shared his specialised learning on the subject through a detailed presentation.

Probiotics is an important emerging topic in the field of nutrition, where the health benefits of Probiotics are proven and widely accepted in numerous health conditions. FAO/WHO currently defines probiotics as ‘live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’.

Professor Luc Cornette from the Belgium Paediatrics Society provided new insight on the subject by sharing interesting recent clinical studies that highlighted the importance of probiotics in a new benefit dimension. The Professor detailed the health benefits of a natural delivery to a baby and outlined how a natural delivery could help establish a healthy gut in babies to protect against infections and diseases.

His presentation ended in an interactive Q&A session that was facilitated by Consultant Paediatrician Dr. H.T. Wickramasinghe and had active participation by doctors from both countries.

With over 30 paediatricians from Belgium and 35 paediatricians and 35 general practitioners from Sri Lanka and the Maldives present at the symposium to share their expertise and experience on a global platform, the event marked a significant milestone in the history of Nestlé Nutrition Institute activities in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the gathering, Alois Hofbauer, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka PLC, said: “Nestlé Nutrition Institute is dedicated to foster science and nutrition knowledge amongst health care professionals in Sri Lanka. This is an excellent forum where we can harness global expertise in nutrition.”

Said Mohamed Rizwie, Country Business Manager – Nestlé Nutrition: “The sole objective of this symposium is to share the latest developments in the field of nutrition. This is the beginning of a series of scientific programmes lined up for this year and Nestlé Nutrition Institute will continue to act as a catalyst in this endeavour.”

The Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI) is an independent, non-profit making organisation and the non-commercial arm of Nestlé Nutrition. NNI partners with healthcare professionals by offering them nutrition information, education and a platform networking and the sharing of new research and developments.