Abstract
Studies have shown that supplementation of infant formula with bovine milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs) may substantially narrow the gap in health outcomes between formula-fed and breastfed infants. In one study, consumption of a formula supplemented with a lipid-rich MFGM concentrate between 2 and 6 mo ofage improved cognitive performance at 24 wkofage. In another study, a formula supplemented with a protein- rich MFGM concentrate given between 2 and 6 mo ofage improved cognitive performance at 12 mo ofage, decreased infectious morbidity until 6 mo ofage, and yielded serum cholesterol concentrations closer to those of breastfed infants. A third study that assessed the safety ofsupplementing infant formula with a lipid-rich or a protein-rich MFGM concentrate found a noninferior weight gain for both groups compared with a nonsupplemented formula. In this study, therewas an increased riskofeczema in the protein-rich group, but no seriousadverseevents. Infantformulas with supplemental MFGMs have been launched on the market in several countries. However, the evidence base must still be considered quite limited. Based on 3 randomized controlled trials that are not comparable, the intervention seems safe, but there is not enough evidence for a general recommendation on which MFGM fraction to use and at what concentration as formula supplement for a given outcome.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 351-355 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Advances in Nutrition |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2017 |
Keywords
- Cholesterol
- Cognition
- Infant formula
- Infection
- MFGM
- Neurodevelopment
- Otitis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Food Science
- Nutrition and Dietetics