TY - JOUR
T1 - Perspective
T2 - Moving Toward Desirable Linoleic Acid Content in Infant Formula
AU - Carlson, Susan E.
AU - Schipper, Lidewij
AU - Brenna, J. Thomas
AU - Agostoni, Carlo
AU - Calder, Philip C.
AU - Forsyth, Stewart
AU - Legrand, Philippe
AU - Abrahamse-Berkeveld, Marieke
AU - Van De Heijning, Bert J.M.
AU - Van Der Beek, Eline M.
AU - Koletzko, Berthold V.
AU - Muhlhausler, Beverly
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.
PY - 2021/11/1
Y1 - 2021/11/1
N2 - Infant formula should provide the appropriate nutrients and adequate energy to facilitate healthy infant growth and development. If conclusive data on quantitative nutrient requirements are not available, the composition of human milk (HM) can provide some initial guidance on the infant formula composition. This paper provides a narrative review of the current knowledge, unresolved questions, and future research needs in the area of HM fatty acid (FA) composition, with a particular focus on exploring appropriate intake levels of the essential FA linoleic acid (LA) in infant formula. The paper highlights a clear gap in clinical evidence as to the impact of LA levels in HM or formula on infant outcomes, such as growth, development, and long-term health. The available preclinical information suggests potential disadvantages of high LA intake in the early postnatal period. We recommend performing well-designed clinical intervention trials to create clarity on optimal levels of LA to achieve positive impacts on both short-term growth and development and long-term functional health outcomes.
AB - Infant formula should provide the appropriate nutrients and adequate energy to facilitate healthy infant growth and development. If conclusive data on quantitative nutrient requirements are not available, the composition of human milk (HM) can provide some initial guidance on the infant formula composition. This paper provides a narrative review of the current knowledge, unresolved questions, and future research needs in the area of HM fatty acid (FA) composition, with a particular focus on exploring appropriate intake levels of the essential FA linoleic acid (LA) in infant formula. The paper highlights a clear gap in clinical evidence as to the impact of LA levels in HM or formula on infant outcomes, such as growth, development, and long-term health. The available preclinical information suggests potential disadvantages of high LA intake in the early postnatal period. We recommend performing well-designed clinical intervention trials to create clarity on optimal levels of LA to achieve positive impacts on both short-term growth and development and long-term functional health outcomes.
KW - human milk composition
KW - infant development
KW - infant formula
KW - LCPUFAs
KW - linoleic acid
KW - nutritional programming
U2 - 10.1093/advances/nmab076
DO - 10.1093/advances/nmab076
M3 - Article
C2 - 34265035
AN - SCOPUS:85116606151
SN - 2161-8313
VL - 12
SP - 2085
EP - 2098
JO - Advances in Nutrition
JF - Advances in Nutrition
IS - 6
ER -