C. A. ELVEHJEM 



I believe there is another important angle which applies not 

 only to the use of synthetic vitamins but also to synthetic amino acids, 

 which undoubtedly will be produced in the postwar period. Since, in 

 general, the synthetics have no taste appeal, and since mankind will 

 continue to consume food for reasons other than that of mere nutrition, 

 it may be more important to use a larger part of the synthetics in animal 

 feeding. As we learn more about nutrition, we are finding that many 

 of the more expensive animal feeds can be replaced by cheaper sub- 

 stitutes. For example, riboflavin can be used in poultry feeding with- 

 out relying upon more expensive milk products. Thus, the cost of 

 animal production can be reduced to such an extent that animal 

 products can be used more widely for human consumption. 



The necessity of fortifying certain human foods may continue 

 for some time. Although new types of food fortifications may be intro- 

 duced, we must recognize that any enrichment program is not neces- 

 sarily permanent, and we should be willing to discontinue any one 

 program when and if scientific evidence indicates that it is no longer 

 necessary. It will be the duty of nutritionists to give careful considera- 

 tion to these programs; proper decisions can be made only if we have 

 extensive knowledge of the vitamin content of all foods. Food indus- 

 tries have generously supported such programs but the work has cer- 

 tainly not reached completion. Plans should be made to set aside 

 funds which are now easily obtainable so that work of this kind can be 

 carried out when personnel become available. There are two im- 

 portant lines of approach: one deals with the production of food 

 products high in vitamins and can be accomplished by improved 

 breeding, cultivation, and fertilization; the other deals with improved 

 methods of handling the food products after harvesting and slaughtering. 



Because fundamental research must continue in the field of 

 vitamins, it will be fortunate to have young men interested in pure re- 

 search. During the past few years, the practical problems have re- 

 ceived greatest emphasis, but we have now reached the point at which 

 fundamental research again becomes the limiting factor in further prog- 

 ress. We must study cellular mechanisms within the body and the 

 relation of bacterial cells to the vitamins within the intestinal tract. 

 The relation of vitamins to enzymes has already been discussed. 

 After all, sturdy bodies are largely dependent upon properly function- 

 ing enzymes in all the cells of the body. Vitamins are only a small part 



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