DSM Partners with Dutch Olympic Committee

KAISERAUGST, SwitzerlandDSM Nutritional Products partnered with the Dutch Olympic Committee to study vitamin D and carotenoid supplements.

DSM is currently investigating  the optimum levels of vitamin D for top-tier athletes. Vitamin D provides crucial benefits to bone health and can also improve muscle strength. It is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight, but even outdoors, athletes can still experience deficiencies. And, though dietary sources of the vitamin exist, athletes often do not consume enough to achieve optimum  levels.

The company is also working with individual athletes, including beach volleyball players Sara Goller and Laura Ludwig. The women will use DSM's carotenoid supplements to act as a pair of "internal sunglasses," which is helpful in this sunny sport. Using the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, DSM hopes athletes will boost their visual performance. The supplements will both protect the eyes and minimize the harsh glare caused by the sun or stadium lighting.

DSM recently opened a branch office in Kenya to support its efforts in human nutrition and health in East Africa.