ISSUE FOCUS 76 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2026 dient profiles and levels affect the overall health and performance of animals. Maintenance represents the main contributor to total daily requirements, and maintenance requirements are commonly estimated as a function of live weight (or body surface area). Interestingly, functional nutrition has highlighted the importance of the microbiome and gut health in defining animal growth response. However, a level of complexity remains that makes it difficult to estimate actual nutrient requirements under specific conditions. With functional nutrition, it is possible to gain greater precision in the estimation of maintenance requirements, either by accounting for additional demands or by reducing expenses associated with different contributing factors. This article will examine how functional nutrition can contribute to precise nutrition, and what this may bring to future monogastric nutritionists. STRONG GUT BARRIER INTEGRITY TO SUPPORT NUTRIENT UTILISATION EFFICACY A well-functioning gut barrier is essential for efficient nutrient absorption while protecting the animal from enteric disorders. It helps prevent dysbiosis, limits pathogen adhesion and invasion, and reduces the risk of bacterial translocation into the bloodstream. This barrier is composed of a protective mucin layer and an epithelial cell layer sealed by tight junctions. Together, these structures provide both chemical and physical protection, restricting pathogen entry while allowing nutrients to be absorbed. Beyond its protective role, the intestinal barrier is also the site of dietary nutrient absorption. While providing highly and rapidly digestible nutrients is important to maximise absorption in the upper intestine, supporting early gut development also contributes to improved nutrient utilisation efficiency throughout the animal’s life. In some instances, early exposure to feed can enhance villi development and, consequently, increase intestinal surface area. Other strategies include the use of specific additives, such as butyric acid, to support villi development; formulating diets with an adequate dietary electrolyte balance to account for ingredient buffering capacity; or feeding the microbiome to accelerate its maturation (e.g., oligosaccharides).
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