Abstract
The composition and function of human milk is unique and gives a basis for the development of modern artificial milk formulas that can provide an appropriate substitute for non-breastfed infants. Although human milk is not fully substitutable, modern milk formulas are attempting to mimic human milk and partially substitute its complex biological positive effects on infants. Besides the immunomodulatory factors from human milk, research has been focused on the composition and structure of human milk fat with a high content of β-palmitic acid (sn-2 palmitic acid, β-palmitate). According to the available studies, increasing the content of β-palmitate added to milk formulas promotes several beneficial physiological functions. β-palmitate positively influences fatty acid metabolism, increases calcium absorption, improves bone matrix quality and the stool consistency, and has a positive effect on the development of the intestinal microbiome.
Highlights
Human milk represents the optimal nutrition for a baby after birth and during the whole nursing period
The results showed that breastfed infants and infants fed a formula with a high content of β-palmitate had a significantly higher bone speed of sound compared to infants fed a standard milk formula with a low content of β-palmitate [21]
It might be said that the high content of β-palmitate in supplemental milk formula positively influences metabolism of fatty acids and their absorption from the intestinal lumen with a subsequent energetic improvement and mineral balance
Summary
Human milk represents the optimal nutrition for a baby after birth and during the whole nursing period. On the basis of available analyses, an important part of palmitic acid is bound to the skeleton of glycerol in triacylglycerols in the sn-2 position (position β), which has important physiological and metabolic implications in breastfed infants in comparison with infants fed supplemental milk formula [13].
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