Abstract
Irradiated Yeast and Rickets, Although a number of questions relating to the action of vitamin D still remain unsettled, the fact that irradiated ergosterol determines the fixation of calcium in the animal organism and hence induces good ossification has been indisputably demonstrated. In almost all countries this particular form of prophylaxis is practised by administering definite doses of the irradiated ergosterol dissolved in olive, arachis, sesame, or other oil. In discussing this subject before the Royal Lombardy Institute of Science and Letters (Rendiconti, 66), Prof. Ernesto Bertarelli points out that these ergosterol-containing oils readily become rancid and have other properties which make them unsuitable as products to be applied extensively as prophylactics. He emphasises the advantages of replacing these oily liquids by irradiated dry brewers' yeast, which is rich in ergosterol and easy to take, and remains unchanged over long periods. The powdered yeast can easily be mixed with, for example, bread and milk in daily amounts of 0.5–0.75 gm., and the doses are simpler to handle and regulate than are small quantities of oils.
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Research Items. Nature 133, 838–840 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/133838a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/133838a0
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