Ingredient Profiles
Welcome to Natalplex Ingredient Profiles. Here you can find information on many of the ingredients used in Natalplex Premium Infant Formula.
You can click on the list or browse down the page to learn more. Look for the arrow up icon in the bottom right corner of your screen to return to the top of the page for easier navigation.
ARA/DHA
Developmental Visual and Brain Growth
When combined, DHA and ARA play a very important role for the growing infant. This includes optimal development of the nervous system, especially the brain and eyes. DHA and ARA are rapidly accumulated in the nervous tissue of the brain and retina, which takes place primarily from the last trimester of pregnancy to up to 2 years of age.
Although breastfeeding your child is the best option, infant formula containing DHA and ARA derived from fungal and algal oils have effectively enhanced infant growth. Premature infants who have been fed supplemented formulas have significantly gained weight. Research notes that DHA supplementation during pregnancy assists in promoting the healthy development of your baby’s visual system.
Natural sources of ARA and DHA occur in fish and fish oil, grass-fed beef, eggs, nuts and flaxseeds.
β-Carotene
Strengthens the immune system
β-Carotene (Beta Carotene) contains strong antioxidant properties thus preventing cells from oxidative damage which is the source of several diseases in humans. Diets rich in beta carotene decrease the rates of heart diseases and cancer. Essentially, β-Carotene offers long-term protection from chronic diseases as it fortifies the immune system. Through its pro-vitamin A activity, once consumed, beta carotene can be converted into vitamin A which is essential in an infant’s normal vision, physical development, immune function and growth.
Choline & Inositol
Enhances brain development
Both inositol and choline are vitamins that work hand in hand to benefit and enhance infant brain development. Choline is a B vitamin-like molecule evident in the human body. Naturally, our bodies will produce brain chemicals to transport fat, arrange body functions and for the regular transmission of nerve impulses all the while utilising choline and inositol to do so. When together, choline and inositol sharpen memory and brain development notably during the perinatal period as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Research shows choline and inositol to be fundamental in boosting the cognitive function of both you and your baby.
Natural sources of choline include eggs, soybeans, peanuts, cauliflower and oatmeal
FOS / GOS
Reduces intestinal & respiratory infections
Oligosaccharides resist digestion in the digestive tract and are instead fermented in the large intestine stimulating the production of microflora (the good bacteria), in other words, they have a prebiotic effect on the intestine.
The microflora serves as a defence mechanism against invading bacteria. Oligosaccharide mixtures of short-chain galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) have been developed to resemble the human milk oligosaccharides. Supplementation with FOS & GOS in infants has been shown to effectively stimulate the turnover of the appropriate bacteria in the large intestine enhancing the mucosal immune system. Feeding infants FOS & GOS enhanced formula stimulates the same metabolic activity, thereby reducing the likelihood of respiratory and intestinal infections during your infant’s first year of life.
Lactoferrin
Reduces gut infections
Lactoferrin is also evident in human breast milk being one of the more abundant whey proteins. Research has shown lactoferrin to have a range of biological functions including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant including positive immune system effects. This protein has the ability to bind iron. Knowing this, infant formulas supplemented with Lactoferrin are helpful in protecting infants against gut infections. Lactoferrin also has a demonstrated inhibitory effect on a number of viruses and is thought to bind directly to viral particles and inhibit their replication. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
L-Carnitine
Healthy Weight Gain
Human bodies naturally produce L-Carnitine from amino acids. It is a source of energy as it increases the use of fatty acids within your body. Once transported into the mitochondria, the fatty acids are burned, releasing energy allowing our bodies to function. As L-Carnitine is naturally found in breast milk, infant formulas are protected with the same levels evident. This nutrient turns fats into energy thus promoting weight gain. Premature, low birth-weight infants and children who suffer from epilepsy who have received oral L-Carnitine supplementation have restored their plasma Carnitine levels. L-Carnitine can be found in breast milk, avocados, dairy products, red meat (lamb) and poultry.
Linoleic acid
Enhances Growth
Once known as Vitamin F, Linoleic acid is a fatty acid that is essential for nutrition. Rich in omega-6, this acid forms the lipid component of all cell membranes in our body. Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid acquired from plants. Omega-3 fatty acids have appeared to be helpful in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis as well as reducing inflammation. High concentrated forms are found in the human brain which is great not only for cognitive and behavioural health but also for normal growth and development. Omega-3 and omega-6 are vital in maintaining a healthy body.
A mother’s breast milk commonly produces Linoleic / α-linolenic acid. Infant formula’s supplemented with Linoleic / α-linolenic acids are imperative in the proper growth and development of infants. Apart from the obvious reason that Linoleic / α-linolenic are important for infant nutrition, fortifying formula with such fatty acids benefits children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis as it optimizes feeding efficiency and growth. Omega-3 and omega-6 are found in most vegetable oils such as evening primrose oil, sunflower oil and flaxseed oil.
Lutein
Protects eye health
As a carotenoid, lutein plays an important role in supporting infant vision and eye health. Lutein is one of the scarce carotenoids found within human eye tissue. The protection that it provides infants is all-encompassing via two main pathways. Firstly, it functions as an antioxidant protecting the retina from oxidative damage, a feature particularly important for infants as they are unable to down-regulate blood flow in the vessels of the eye leading to an excess delivery of oxygen to the retina. Secondly, lutein works as a light filter protecting the retina from light damage and improving vision.
Nucleotides
Support immunity and a healthy digestive system
Like most substances prevalent in infant formula, nucleotides are also evident in human breast milk. Nucleotides are the building blocks for DNA and RNA as they are vital in almost all biological processes.
Nucleotides have been identified as paramount nutrients throughout stages of growth like infancy. This assists in achieving excellent function in growing tissues. Nucleotides have been shown to improve the maturation of the immune system and the gut, and are vital for the growth and repair of tissues. Supplementation of infant formula with one or a combination of functional food ingredients may promote the improvement of health and influence the general development of the infant.*
It is important to be aware that there are some poor sources of nucleotides such as milk products and vegetables. Good sources of nucleotides include fish, poultry and meat.
* Quoted from Gibson, Glenn R., Food Science and Technology Bulletin: Functional Foods Volume 1, Link to online book here. 1st March 2011
Phospholipids
Healthy Brain Function
Oligosaccharides resist digestion in the digestive tract and are instead fermented in the large intestine stimulating the production of microflora (the good bacteria), in other words, they have a prebiotic effect on the intestine.
The microflora serves as a defence mechanism against invading bacteria. Oligosaccharide mixtures of short-chain galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) have been developed to resemble the human milk oligosaccharides. Supplementation with FOS & GOS in infants has been shown to effectively stimulate the turnover of the appropriate bacteria in the large intestine enhancing the mucosal immune system. Feeding infants FOS & GOS enhanced formula stimulates the same metabolic activity, thereby reducing the likelihood of respiratory and intestinal infections during your infant’s first year of life.
Taurine
Fat absorption and promotes eye health
Research demonstrates that Taurine is essential amid infants during periods of rapid development as it is the most abundant free amino acid found in human breast milk. Important for infants, this amino acid promotes fat absorption and correct eye vision and health. High concentrations of Taurine are evident in the developing brain. Taurine is thought to hydrate the brain and assist with hyperactivity, anxiety, epilepsy and poor brain function. It encourages liver function and protects the nerves particularly in the eyes and ears of young infants.
Vitamins and Minerals
Healthy Immune System
Each with its own natural function, there are 13 vitamins and 16 or more minerals known to be essential to the human body. In order to ensure that excellent growth and development is obtained, an optimal vitamin and mineral status must be acquired. Although breastfeeding is recommended to adequately supply your infant with its needed vitamins and minerals for developmental growth, infant formula provides a nutritionally complete substitute. Making sure the infant formula you choose is rich in vitamins and minerals fortifies your infant against deficiency orders. Vitamins are important ways such as helping the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, bone-strengthening by helping deposit these minerals into the bones, helping maintain blood levels of calcium and phosphorus and helping support a healthy immune system
Whey Protein
Protein
Protein is an essential macronutrient for the human body (along with healthy fats and carbohydrates). Protein is made up of little building blocks called amino acids. There are 20 amino acids that are needed for our bodies to function – of these 20, we can make only 11 of them within our bodies. The remaining 9 we must get from our food .as our bodies cannot otherwise produce them – thus they are called “essential amino acids”. Protein has a number of different roles in the body. It repairs body cells and builds and repairs muscles, cartilage, ligaments, skin and bones. Protein also aids in maintaining healthy hair, nails and teeth. It provides a source of energy and controls many of the important processes in the body related to metabolism. It is essential for healthy hormone and body chemical production and activity.
Whey protein, which is the form of protein used in our Gold Standard infant formula, contains these amino acids and is a vital source of protein for your growing baby’s needs. Whey protein is better for your baby as it is more easily digested and less likely to trigger allergies or reactions. Human breast milk is predominantly whey protein for this reason. (1)
Citations
(1) Martin, Camilia R., Pei-Ra Ling, and George L. Blackburn. “Review of Infant Feeding: Key Features of Breast Milk and Infant Formula.” Nutrients 8.5 (2016): 279. PMC. Web. 27 Aug. 2018.
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