EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF VITAMIN, PHOSPHORUS, METHIONINE OR SKIM MILK ON THE CYSTINE CONTENT OF HAIR, DARK ADAPTATION, CREATINE-CREATININE EXCRETION AND GROWTH OF UNDERNOURISHED CHILDREN.

Abstract

Mineral, vitamin, methionine and milk were administered to children receiving poor diet. The cystine content in hair was increased after dosing of mineral (iron, iodine, calcium and phosphorus) and vitamin alone or with methionine. After supplementary feeding of milk all the children had hair containing still more increased cystine content. Visual threshold values were improved significantly by dosing of mineral and vitamin together with or without methionine. But dosing of these nutrients could not bring the threshold values to normal range until the concurrent feeding of milk began, and then they showed normal value. Supplementation of methionine together with vitamin and mineral resulted a more increased weight gain and urinary creatine excretion than that of mineral and vitamin alone.