Abstract
Formula-fed (FF) infants exhibit a different metabolic profile than breast-fed (BF) infants. Two potential mechanisms are the higher protein level in formula compared with breast milk and the removal of the milk fat and associated milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) during production of infant formula. To determine whether MFGM may impact metabolism, formula-fed infants were randomly assigned to receive either an MFGM isolate-supplemented experimental formula (EF) or a standard formula (SF) from 2 until 6 months and compared with a BF reference group. Infants consuming EF had higher levels of fatty acid oxidation products compared to infants consuming SF. Although the protein level in the study formula was approximately 12 g/L (lower than most commercial formulas), a metabolic difference between FF and BF remained such that FF infants had higher levels of amino acid catabolism by-products and a low efficiency of amino acid clearance (preference for protein metabolism). BF infants had higher levels of fatty acid oxidation products (preference for fat metabolism). These unique, energy substrate-driven metabolic outcomes did not persist after diet was shifted to weaning foods and appeared to be disrupted by complementary feeding. Our results suggest that MFGM may have a role in directing infant metabolism.
Highlights
Formula-fed (FF) infants exhibit a different metabolic profile than breast-fed (BF) infants
We further explored three aims within this cohort: (1) whether a comprehensive evaluation of the serum metabolome will reflect the effect of early diet at 12 months of age; (2) whether a metabolic signature is present that indicates improved cognitive development as previously reported in this cohort; and (3) whether consumption of a formula supplemented with a bovine milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) isolate (EF) improves the overall metabolic outcome when compared to infants fed standard formula (SF)
BF infants showed a higher rate of fatty acid oxidation and elevated medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines
Summary
Formula-fed (FF) infants exhibit a different metabolic profile than breast-fed (BF) infants. A normally developing infant’s body fat continuously increases from 15–16% of their body weight at birth to 25%-26% of their body weight at 12–18 months of age[2] During this time, the metabolic phenotype of the infant is geared toward compensating the high energy demands of the developing brain[3]. A metabolic phenotype characterized by high levels of circulating amino acids, insulin and urea has consistently been observed in formula-fed (FF) infants[7,8,9,10,11]. We hypothesize this is an outcome of “too much protein in infant formula and insufficient use of fat”. To access the impact of this dietary intervention on metabolism, serum samples were collected at 2 (baseline), 4, 6 and 12 (post-intervention) months of age
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