Low-cost, high protein milk produced in Vietnam for first time
Dr Ta Tuyet Mai, a physician at the Gia Dinh People’s Hospital, has created a high-protein formula milk used for seriously ill patients.
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There are many energy-rich dairy products available in the market but the products can only be used as nutritional supplements for patients with mild illnesses.
For seriously ill patients, these dairy products are not suitable because of the content of protein, micronutrients, such as vitamins, and minerals. If feeding patients through catheter with these products, physicians have to provide an additional volume of 2,500-3,000 ml per day through intravenous injection to be sure patients can get enough protein.
The price of the dairy products is very high (VND400,000-500,000 a day).
Mai created a kind of milk which has a low price but still can ensure high biological value and support treatment. The milk can be used for lactose intolerant patients.
This formula milk includes soya milk with full cream milk powder and probiotics with standard local milk. The milk has protein content with high biological value, equivalent to standard milk.
It is rich in Omega 3 and beneficial intestinal bacteria, and has high anti-inflammatory properties. Beneficial bacteria in milk does not penetrate the patient's blood, so it cannot cause septicemia in severely ill patients.
Mai said the milk can improve nutrition, and restrict or eliminate the need for albumin infusion to recover. With the product, the volume of milk needed to feed patients is lower, while the nutritional improvement effects are higher than products available in the market.
The price of the product is equal to 1/4-1/8 of that of foreign products, just VND50,000-80,000 a day.
The milk has been used for hundreds of patients through catheters at Gia Dinh People's Hospital and HCM City Tumor Hospital for the last year. The research team continues to provide milk to inpatient and outpatients at Gia Dinh People's Hospital and neighboring hospitals.
Mai wants to see milk produced on a large scale to satisfy high demand from patients and hospitals. The research team is considering developing milk into a commercial product, while it is looking for partners to cooperate in large-scale production.
Huynh Van An, head of intensive care unit of Gia Dinh People’s Hospital, confirmed that the product can satisfy requirements. It is well absorbed, thus helping patients recover quickly.
