ENCOURAGING high performance among the pupils and balancing their physical and mental alertness, Fidson Healthcare Plc has taken an interventionist programme ' Astymin Brilliance Reward ' to reward hardworking pupils in over 100 schools in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.The healthcare outfit also gave out free Astymin, a combination of amino acids, proteins and multivitamins with other compounds to ensure the children are mentally and physically fit to engage in their rigorous academic activities.According to scientists at the University of Arizona, amino acids are nitrogen-containing molecules that serve vital functions in one's body: '22 amino acids occur in nature and 20 of them incorporated into proteins and other molecules within the cells and tissues of plant and animals.'The scientists added that one's body has the capacity to synthesize 10 of the amino acids, while another 10 have to come from dieting, adding that the body requires intake of essential amino acids, those that cannot be produced by the human body.The General Manager, Marketing of Fidson, Ola Ijimakin, said: 'We have given the children Astymin, which is rich in amino acids for their mental and physical balancing. Amino acid supplies energy to the system...'According to him, when protein is damaged, it is no longer needed in the tissues, rather it's broken down to constituent amino acids, which are then converted to pyruvate, acetyl-CoA or other molecules that can be oxidized by one's mitochondria.He noted that amino acid serves as precursors for several neurotransmitters, which are molecules used by the brain and nervous system to transmit messages, adding that a deficit of amino acids often leads to neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, irritability, insomnia and even psychosis. 'This is the reason we have given them Astymin each.'The Sales and Marketing Director of the firm, Olugbenga Olayeye, said that the event is a unique corporate initiative to recognise, reward and hopefully encourage further pursuit of academic excellence among a group of young primary school pupils from over 100 partnering schools.'We are rewarding those children, who have individually distinguished themselves by emerging as the Best Graduating Pupil in their respective schools. And to achieve this, it demands a lot of self-sacrifice,' stressing that 'the pupils have devoted hours studying hard to give themselves that edge over their classmates,' he said.As winners of the Astymin Brilliance Rewards, he continued: 'Each of you has earned the right to put the initials, ABR, after your name, in the same manner that people who are awarded national honours like OON do. You are the first set of recipients to be so honoured, but I can assure you that many more prize-winning pupils will follow in your footsteps in subsequent years, because this has come to stay. As far as we are concerned, each of you is now an Astymin Ambassador.
Click here to read full news..
