Milk protein-based formulas containing different oils affect fatty acids balance in term infants: A randomized blinded crossover clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundPalm olein is used in infant formula fat blends in order to match the fatty acid profile of human milk. While the effects on fatty acid balance have been evaluated, the use of palm olein in combination with palm kernel oil and supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) has not been similarly assessed in infants. This study evaluated the effects of infant formulas containing different fat compositions on the balance of fat, fatty acids, and calcium.MethodsIn this randomized, crossover, double-blinded study, 33 healthy term infants (68–159 ± 3 days of age at enrollment) were fed two formulas for 14 days in a tolerance period, followed by a 4-day metabolic balance period in 17 of the male subjects. The study compared two commercially available milk-based powdered formulas in Brazil; the PALM formula contained palm olein (44%), kernel palm oil (21.7%), and canola oil (18.5%) as the predominant fats, whereas the NoPALM formula contained other fat sources.ResultsFat absorption (%) was greater for NoPALM versus PALM-fed infants (96.55 and 95.50%, respectively; p = 0.023). The absorption percentage of palmitic acid (C16:0) did not differ significantly between formulas (p > 0.05), but this acid was excreted at significantly higher concentrations in the PALM (29.42 mg/kg/day) than in the NoPALM (12.28 mg/kg/day) formula groups. DHA and ARA absorption percentages were also higher in NoPALM-fed infants. Calcium absorption was higher in NoPALM-fed infants (58.00%) compared to those fed PALM (40.90%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.104) when calcium intake was used as a covariate. However, calcium retention was higher in NoPALM-fed infants compared to that in PALM-fed infants with or without calcium intake as a covariate. Adverse events did not differ between groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe absorption of essential fatty acids was similar for both formulas; however, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and ARA) were better absorbed from the NoPALM formula. Fat absorption and calcium retention were lower in term infants fed the PALM-based formula.Clinical trial registrationClinicaltrial.gov # NCT00941564.

Comparison of bovine milk fat and vegetable fat for infant formula: Implications for infant health

“…A commonly used vegetable fat is palm oil, although some commercial parties avoid the inclusion of palm oil in IF (Leite et al, 2013;Lloyd et al, 1999;Oliveira De Souza et al, 2017).…”

Human Milk Omega-3 Fatty Acid Composition Is Associated with Infant Temperament

“…One previous study did report that there was no difference in the temperaments of infants who were randomly assigned to receive formula supplemented with DHA (vs. non-DHA-supplemented formula) [41] (see [42] for similar null results with rhesus macaques). However, formula supplementation studies are not directly comparable to studies of human milk, since n-3 PUFAs are metabolized differently in human milk than they are in formula [43], and since the absorption of fatty acids from formula is highly dependent on the specific type of oil from which the n-3s were harvested [44]. Still, the results of this study should be considered preliminary until they can be replicated in larger studies.…”

Chemical composition and fatty acids profile of chocolates produced with different cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) cultivars

“…Ondividual fatty acids were determined by Gas Chromatography (Perkin Elmer Clarus 680) coupled with flame ionization detector, according to the method proposed by Souza et al (2017) using a DB-FFAP capillary column (30 m × 0.32 mm i.d., 0.25 μm film thickness). The analysis parameters were: inlet temperature at 250 °C; detector temperature at 280 °C; column program temperature at 150 °C for 16 min., 2 °C.min -1 until 180 °C, maintaining that temperature for 25 minutes; then raising 5 °C.min -1 until 210 °C, maintaining this temperature for 25 minutes.…”