Phosphonutrients, infant formula, & brain health

Good news, work on a phosphoprotein (osteopontin), found naturally in human and other mammal milk, has been refined from bovine (cow) milk and successfully used in early clinical trials with human infant formula. Babies were found to have improved immune development and reduced days with fever. See (Pediatric Ingredients: Osteopontin, by Arla Foods Ingredients, 8) for more information on the potential benefits of osteopontin as an infant formula additive for the health and development of infants.

/Disclosure: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

  1. Nutritional Cognitive Neuroscience Research at the Crossroads of Nutrition, Psychology, and Neuroscience, https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/4257/nutritional-cognitive-neuroscience-research-at-the-crossroads-of-nutrition-psychology-and-neuroscien
  2. Reddan Jeffery M., White David J., Macpherson Helen, Scholey Andrew, Pipingas Andrew, Glycerophospholipid Supplementation as a Potential Intervention for Supporting Cerebral Structure in Older Adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Vol. 10. 2018. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00049 DOI=10.3389/fnagi.2018.00049 ISSN=1663-4365 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00049/full
  3. Gimenez MS, Oliveros LB, Gomez NN. Nutritional Deficiencies and Phospholipid Metabolism. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2011;12(4):2408-2433. doi:10.3390/ijms12042408.   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3127125/ (3)
  4. Jiang R, Lönnerdal B. Biological roles of milk osteopontin. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016 May;19(3):214-9.   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27504516
  5. Bruun S, Jacobsen L N, Ze X, et al., Osteopontin Levels in Human Milk Vary Across Countries and Within Lactation Period: Data From a Multicenter Study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition: Aug. 2018 – Vol. 67 – Issue 2 – p 250–256 doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002004 https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005176-201808000-00023&isFromRelatedArticle=Y
  6. Camilia R. Martin,Pei-Ra Ling, George L. Blackburn, Review of Infant Feeding: Key Features of Breast Milk and Infant Formula. Nutrients 2016, 8(5), 279; doi:10.3390/nu8050279   http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/5/279/htm#B61-nutrients-08-00279
  7. Lönnerdal B, Biological effects of novel bovine milk fractions. Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Pediatr Program. 2011;67:41-54. doi: 10.1159/000325574  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21335989
  8. Pediatric Ingredients: Osteopontin, Arla Foods Ingredients, https://www.arlafoodsingredients.com/our-ingredients/pediatric-nutrition-ingredients/osteopontin/

Phospholipids and infant formula

In the last post I stated my long term goal regarding phospholipids and infant or adult complete diet formulas in simplified terms. The primary complicating factor is the limits that are placed on cannabinoids by the U.S. rating of cannabis/marijuana as a plant with no medical value. As a Schedule 1 controlled substance research is only allowed to be performed regarding toxic or addictive aspects of the plant or substance. Many groups including physician groups have stated that the underlying premise that there is no medical value for cannabis/marijuana is wrong. Phospholipids form one part of the more complex group of molecules called cannabinoids and cannabinoids are found in every cell of the body and in most species of animals and many plants and even a few types of insects. The group of chemicals form a flexible part of cell membranes and also act as messenger chemicals that are important in immunity, appetite control and mood to name a few roles. For infants the nutrients are found in a well nourished woman’s breast milk and it helps promote a good appetite and weight gain for the baby. A chronically ill, elderly, or genetically not average person might also need a dietary source of phospholipids or cannabinoids.

So having a goal of establishing an additional ingredient for infant or adult formula is simplifying the need to have the same group of molecules stated to be of medical value within the controlled substance regulations of the U.S. and other countries. Mexico has changed regulations to state medical value so advances in infant and adult formulas with research to show safety and effectiveness might start there unless or until the U.S. companies work with the simpler phospholipids or the Schedule 1 regulation is changed for cannabis/marijuana at the Federal level.

Disclosure: This information is being provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health care guidance. Please seek an individual health care provider for individualized health care guidance.