Features of the use of palm oil in baby food. Hypoallergenic milk-free and palm oil-free infant formulas: a list and range of products based on high-quality milk fats

Dairy and dairy-free formulas with prebiotics and probiotics based on high-quality vegetable fats are in the premium class. The absence of palm oil reduces the risk of side effects that traditional baby food often causes. For you - features of compositions without palm oil, an overview of popular brands.

Why You Shouldn't Buy Palm Oil Blends

Despite the rich chemical composition, the naturalness of the oily liquid, the product has many limitations for use in baby food. The results of studies show that the frequent use of mixtures with palm oil by a baby provokes a disruption in the functioning of various organs.

Main problems:

• the higher melting point explains the poor digestibility of the oil. An unprocessed substance leaves the body, takes valuable vitamins and microelements with it;
• violates the full absorption of calcium;
• provokes the development of endocrine diseases, including diabetes;
• causes bloating, colic in the smallest;
• with frequent use, constipation develops;
• the natural product settles on the walls of blood vessels, narrowing the gaps.

Why do manufacturers use palm oil despite the side effects? There are several reasons:

• cheapness. Palm oil is purchased in tons, which significantly reduces the cost of production;
• natural product extends the shelf life of baby food.

Buy mixtures with or without palm oil: it's up to the parents. A serious drawback of baby food containing more valuable oils (coconut, soy, sunflower) is the high price. Not all parents can afford to constantly buy baby food with a minimum of side effects. If possible, pediatricians strongly advise choosing formulations with oils that are easily absorbed by a small body.

Benefits and Benefits

Learn the features of dairy / dairy-free mixtures, cereals, purees, dairy products for babies up to a year old and older. Useful compositions are suitable for children of different ages.

Advantages:

• easily absorbed by a tiny organism;
• contain prebiotics and probiotics that support the composition of the intestinal microflora, populating the mucosa with beneficial bacteria;
• vegetable oil complex improves calcium absorption;
• products are less likely to provoke allergies. Some brands are made with goat's milk, which reduces the risk of negative reactions;
• dairy and dairy-free formulations are enriched with lutein, vitamins, valuable acids, for the full development of vision, the brain.

Note! There are only two drawbacks to healthy types of baby food: high cost plus a limited list of brands. It is not always easy to find high-quality mixtures of foreign manufacturers in a pharmacy or supermarket without not very healthy palm oil.

List and features of baby food without palm oil

Before buying artificial/mixed feeding formulations, talk to your pediatrician to see which brand your doctor recommends. The pediatrician will offer products taking into account the characteristics of each baby. Popular brands: Nutrilon, Similak, Nutrilak, Heinz, Kabrita, Nanny, Nestozhen.

The rules for feeding each type of mixture are indicated on the packaging. Follow the instructions exactly, add a certain amount of boiled water, always sterilize bottles and other devices for children up to a year old.

Premium products Kabrita, Heinz and Nutrilon contain beta palmitate. This is a special type of palm oil with an artificially improved formula. The location of hexadecanoic acid has been changed for maximum similarity with breast milk. Transformations greatly increase the benefits of nutritious foods.

Goat milk products

High-quality nutrition with an IQ complex, a full range of vitamins, minerals, lutein, kartinin, a complex of vegetable fats. Nutritious, hypoallergenic mixtures have a composition as close as possible to mother's milk. Choose healthy foods for children prone to allergies, intestinal problems.

Nanny

Peculiarities:

• healthy premium products from New Zealand;
• ecologically clean region plus 60% valuable goat milk;
• baby food without sucrose, glucose contains a valuable carbohydrate - lactose;
• beneficial effect on the work of a tiny organism, strengthens the digestive tract;
• adapted mixtures are suitable for babies from birth.

Kinds:

• Nanny Classic (for the little ones).
• Nanny 1.2 3 for different ages - from birth, from six months, for little ones over a year old. The food is enriched with prebiotics.

Estimated price - from 1200 to 1500 rubles, depending on the weight and name.

Kabrita

Peculiarities:

• Kabrita healthy baby formulas are produced by the baby food laboratory in the Netherlands;
• base - goat's milk;
• whey formulas are similar in quality to breast milk;
• nutritious foods are enriched with probiotics and prebiotics, bifidobacteria, Omega-3 and 6 valuable acids;
• the compositions contain a unique complex of vegetable fats Digest X. The patented mixture helps to absorb calcium more fully, normalizes digestion;
• types: Kabrita Gold 1, 2, 3: (for newborns, children under and after 12 months);
• good value for money nutritional formulations. Average prices - from 850 to 1800 rubles.

Similac

Peculiarities:

• popular brand of quality baby food;
• developers of useful products - Danish specialists;
• the compositions contain an IQ complex for the development of the brain and vision, lutein, vitamins, a mineral complex, are easily digested;
• products for different ages are presented: from 0 to 6 months, children up to a year, for 2, 3 years.

Kinds:

• Premium. Maximum protection of the stomach, intestines.
• Neoshur - for premature babies.
• Comfort - with colic, bloating.
• Izomil is a lactose-free composition for milk protein intolerance.
• Hypoallergenic - with excessive sensitization of the body.

The cost depends on the volume of packaging (from 400 to 900 g), variety. The price of a jar of Similak baby food is from 750 to 1027 rubles.

Nutrilon

Peculiarities:

• well-known brand of baby food;
• high quality products are made in Holland;
• all formulations contain vitamins, prebiotics to strengthen immunity, the immunofortis complex;
• the manufacturing company offers about ten types for healthy toddlers and babies with digestive problems, small allergies, debilitated and premature babies.

Kinds:

• Nutrilon 1, 2 with immunofortis. For children from 0 to 6, from 6 to 12 months of the standard composition and for babies prone to allergies.
• Nutrilon pre. Nutrient complex for small and premature babies provides intensive growth, full development.
• Nutrilon is lactose free. Suitable from 0 to 12 months. The composition is recommended for lactose intolerance.
• Nutrilon antireflux. Especially for babies suffering from frequent spitting up.
• Nutrilon Comfort 1 and 2 with immunofortis. Components facilitate digestion with constipation and colic. Compositions from birth to six months (1), from 6 to 12 months (2).
• Nutrilon pepti gastro. For problems with absorption of food.
• Nutrilon pepti tsc. Combined composition for problems with the intestines, allergic reactions from birth to a year old.
• Nutrilon soy. Adapted lactose-free formulas are indispensable for protein allergies. The product is suitable for babies from 0 to 12 months.
• Nutrilon pepti allergy. With problems of absorption in the intestines, children with food allergies.

Price - from 440 to 1200 rubles.

Nestojen

Characteristic:

• well-known brand of baby food, high-quality Swiss product;
• a rich assortment, taking into account the needs of a growing organism, there are compositions for babies from one to two years old;
• for premature, weakened babies, the compositions of this brand have not yet been developed.

Kinds:

• Unstable 1. Mixture for newborns. Strengthens the immune system, softens stools, develops the brain, saturates the body with valuable minerals, vitamins, taurine.
• Unstable 2. Nutritional product for babies from six months to one year old. There are recipes without additives and with whole grains. Baby food with rice is a great option for evening feeding.
• Unstable 3. A useful product for children from 12 to 18 months. The optimal content of dietary fiber, prebiotics, vegetable fats, amino acids, vitamins. The nutrient mixture has a positive effect on activity, appetite, and normalizes stool in a child. Regular use of the Nestogen 3 type allows you to safely cancel night feedings after 1 year for the baby.
• Unstable 4. The composition is specially designed for older children. Offer healthy nutrition to the little one from 1.5 to 2 years.

The price depends on the name, ranging from 160 to 530 rubles.

Heinz

Characteristic:

• American baby food. Excellent quality, rich assortment;
• products contain sugar, which does not suit all parents. So far, there are no curds and yogurts in the line.

Range:

• dairy and dairy-free nutritional mixtures;
• juices;
• vegetable puree;
• gluten-free cereals;
• mixtures of cereals with vegetables;
• puddings;
• soups;
• cookie;
• vermicelli for kids.

Premium quality products. Prices depend on the type of product, ranging from 40 rubles for a jar of vegetable puree to 175 rubles for pudding for kids.

Mamex

Peculiarities:

• another quality product from Denmark;
• a balanced complex of vegetable fats, the presence of essential minerals, vitamins;
• baby food meets WHO standards.

At the address, look at the calendar and schedule of vaccinations for children by age.

Kinds:

• Mamex - for children from birth to six months, the maximum similarity with mother's milk.
• Mamex Lactose free. Composition with maltodextrin, no lactose, easy to digest. The therapeutic mixture is recommended from birth for milk protein intolerance, diarrhea syndrome.
• Mamex 2. Nutritional composition with oligosaccharides, minerals, vitamins. For babies from six months to 12 months.
• Mamex 2 Night formula. Useful complex with iron, prebiotics, oligosaccharides, 15 minerals. Great option for the last feeding. The composition is nutritious, but does not burden the baby's gastrointestinal tract. Suitable for babies over six months old.

Average prices depending on the name - from 180 rubles.

Sour-milk mixtures

Products are easier to digest, less irritate the delicate stomach and intestines. Most well-known baby food companies have a line of fermented milk products for babies of different ages.

Popular mixtures with bifido- and lactobacilli, prebiotics and probiotics:

• Nutrilak KM.
• Nutrilak Premium fermented milk.
• Nutrilon fermented milk.

Taisiya Lipina

Reading time: 7 minutes

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Of particular importance is the mixture in the life of a child in the first six months of life, when it is the main source of nutrition for him.

Of the dozens of items of this product that the distribution network offers, the composition of the "premium" class is the closest in composition to women's milk.

Highly adapted blends that do not contain palm oil include: NANNY, NAN, Similac, Humana, Heinz, Nutrilon, Kabrita. Let's take a closer look at three of them, which deserved the largest number of positive reviews.

Among their distinguishing features are the following:

1. They do not contain palm oil, which makes it difficult for the body to absorb calcium.
2. They do not contain dyes and GMOs.
3. They are saturated with microorganisms (prebiotics and probiotics), which form and maintain normal intestinal microflora.
4. They include all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the development of the child.

This is a highly adapted nutrition that is produced by the New Zealand company Bibikol. It is intended for babies in the first six months of life, even before the introduction. "Nenny" contributes to the harmonious development of the child's body, strengthens its defenses.

The mixture is made from organic goat milk of a special breed, which resembles human milk in its composition. "Nenny" tastes good, has a characteristic "milky" smell and does not include sugar.

Compound:

• Syrup.
• Goat milk (42%).
• Lactose.
• Fish fat.
• Prebiotics: oligofructose, inulin.
• Sunflower, coconut, rapeseed oil.
• Taurine.
• Minerals: potassium, iodine, selenium, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese.
• Vitamins: E, K1, A, C, D3, group B (B12, B1, B6, B5, B2, B4, H).
• Arachidonic acid.
• Lecithin.

Peculiarities:

1. Does not cause spitting up.
2. Relieves constipation.
3. Eliminates the appearance of bloating and colic.
4. Prevents the appearance of allergies.
5. Suitable for children allergic to cow's milk formulas.
6. It is prepared by dilution in warm water, without requiring boiling.

The Nenny formula is recognized as one of the best, both by specialists in the field of baby food and by consumers . She received many positive reviews. Particularly pleased with the mixture are parents whose children suffered from constipation and allergies.

The production of Nenny requires large financial investments from the company, so this mixture has a high price. It fluctuates in Moscow stores from 1200 to 1400 rubles for a 400 g can. .

A high quality formula that provides optimal physical and mental development of the newborn. The food is produced by the famous Swiss company Nestle, which has been manufacturing products for children for more than half a century.

Compound:

• Nucleotides.
• Whey protein (70%).
• Lactose.
• Bifidobacteria.
• Minerals: potassium, chlorides, zinc, selenium, iodine, manganese, copper, iron, phosphorus, calcium.
• Probiotics.
• Vitamins: groups B (B2, B4, B12, B1, B3, B6, B9, B5, H), C, A, E, D, K.

Peculiarities:

1. Contains live BL bacteria that form and maintain the microflora of the digestive system.
2. Enriched with iron, which prevents the development of anemia.
3. Does not contain molasses (maltodextrin).
4. Has a special, two-section packaging.

Specialists and parents of babies believe that the mixture "Nan 1 Premium" is quite safe for the health of the baby and has good . At the same time, the disadvantages of this mixture were also noted. First of all, not a very pleasant taste.

"NAS 1 Premium" belongs to the middle price category. The cost of the mixture in the distribution network ranges from 345-570 rubles for a package weighing 400 g .

Cow's milk formula designed for babies up to 6 months. It has all the advantages of high-class baby food. The mixture is balanced in composition, contains a set of elements that help the brain and vision to form properly. In addition, it contains both probiotics, which are useful for digestion, and prebiotics, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the lower intestine. The manufacturers of this product are Denmark and Spain.

Compound:

• Casein.
• Lactose.
• Soybean, sunflower and coconut oil.
• Prebiotics.
• Probiotics.
• lutein.
• Vitamins: beta-carotene, A, C, E, K1, D3, group B (B1, B9, B2, B12, B6, B3, B5, H, B4).
• Nucleotides.
• Carnitine.
• Taurine.
• Inositol.
• Minerals: calcium, chlorides, manganese, potassium, iodine, selenium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper.

Shortcodes

Peculiarities:

1. The complex "IQ Intelli-Pro", included in the diet, improves brain activity.
2. The mixture contains a tummy protection system that eliminates colic and regurgitation.
3. Does not cause allergies.
4. Relieves constipation.

"Similac Premium 1" fully justifies its name. Most users noted that after taking it, babies did not experience digestive problems. . In addition, her satiety was especially noted. The children ate well during the day and slept peacefully at night.

For its class, "Similak Premium 1" has a very reasonable cost. In the capital's stores, 400 g of the mixture costs customers 394-489 rubles .

Rumors about the irreparable harm to health that causes today have led many consumers to refuse to buy a product if the manufacturer indicates the presence of this product in the composition. Is it really that dangerous or is it just a common misconception? Let's try to figure this out for ourselves. So what do we have...

Palm oil in baby food

If an ordinary person thinks about his health only when something gets sick, aware - almost every day, day after day, then the mother's worries about this for her child are very significant, one might say hourly.

Therefore, those mothers who, for whatever reason, cannot enjoy the "benefits" of breastfeeding, have to worry about the presence of palm oil in specialized infant formulas. Why is "goods" in quotation marks? This topic is not this article, but these benefits are greatly exaggerated. There is evidence that formula-fed babies gain weight faster, they get teeth faster. This is because an exhausted mother at 6 months of breastfeeding usually looks like water ... And the calorie content of water, as everyone knows, is zero calories. It does not contain vitamins, trace elements, minerals. But artificial mixtures are very high in calories and contain everything.

Manufacturers are trying to create a complete product, as close as possible in quality to the breast milk of a nursing mother. But not the one from which “everything is squeezed out”, but the one that is just beginning to feed. However, there is no consensus about the composition of the mixture. So there was no consensus on whether to include palm oil in the composition.

Benefits of palm oil in baby food

Palm oil is a product made from the fruit of the African oil palm. In addition to Africa, the plant grows in those countries where tropical climatic conditions are observed. So, Malaysia and Indonesia are its leading producers today.

Palm kernel oil, as it is also called, has a reddish-transparent saturation and a pleasant nutty taste. In the culinary industry, it is considered the best product of plant origin.

Useful properties include its almost complete digestibility. The content of vitamin E (more precisely, tocotrienols in its composition) makes the nervous system complete, stimulates the immune system and blood circulation in the body, improves tissue regeneration, and promotes better absorption of vitamin A.

Vitamin A, in turn, is useful. Retinol, as it is also called, provokes good growth of the body, helps strengthen teeth and bones.

The carotenoids in the oil make it a good antioxidant. This means that it also slows down the aging process of our body.

Thanks to the oleic acid contained in the plant product, bad cholesterol is modulated, which reduces the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Harm of palm oil in baby food

Saturated fats, found in excess in palm oil, can contribute to the accumulation of cholesterol. Therefore, scientists recommend limiting its consumption and replacing it with sunflower, soybean or olive vegetable oil. Such research scientists include the World Health Organization and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

However, the United Nations University and the Center for Science in the Public Interest emphasize that only excessive consumption of palmitic acid is harmful.

The presence of palm oil in infant formula makes it difficult for a growing child to absorb calcium. But this applies to cheap mixtures. More expensive formulas artificially change the position of palmitic acid in palm olein, thanks to scientific knowledge, so that the oil again allows calcium to be absorbed normally.

More arguments about the harm such. Decreased bone mineralization, decreased metabolism. The chair becomes more dense and less frequent, which provokes constipation in babies. These disadvantages of palm oil supplementation can be balanced by taking sources of probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic substances. Such as "", "Normobact", "" or "". In addition, some mixtures already contain such substances in their composition.

You can also purchase baby formula that does not contain palm oil. True, they belong to the so-called premium class and their cost is higher.

Palm Oil Free Infant Formula List

These are mixtures such as Similak and Nanny, and Nutrilon, Heinz and Kabrita can also be attributed to them. As a rule, they already include prebiotics and probiotics in their composition. "Nanny" and "Similak" include a complex of vegetable oils that do not interfere with the absorption of calcium. The rest of the above mixtures contain beta palmitate.

conclusions

Thus, it turns out that the benefits of a palm product are equivalent to the possible harm. The harm from its impact was at the very beginning of the production of mixtures, and now we are eliminating it by the main manufacturers. Most likely, the rumor about the harm is artificially inflated by competing companies that are not happy with the distribution of a cheap product. The economic feasibility of using palm oil is pushing other types of vegetable and animal oils out of the market.

One way or another, most mothers will first buy mixtures cheaper, and then, in case of problems, switch to more expensive ones as needed.

You can refuse to use palm oil due to ideological reasons, because large buyers of this product (including baby food manufacturer Nestle) are indirectly guilty of deforestation of tropical forests, which are the habitat of orangutans. There is an opinion, by the way, that this is the most intelligent animal, after man. And it is very sad that their existence is endangered.

If you do not associate yourself with Greenpeace, but still doubt whether it is worth eating foods and feeding mixtures containing palm oil to your child, purchase equivalents without it. However, keep in mind that they will be slightly more expensive. But then, as you know, you can’t buy health for any money ...

What danger is fraught with mixtures with palm oil and GMOs. Expert opinion and expert advice on choosing safe substitutes.

Breast milk is a unique product created by wise nature. It contains all the substances necessary for the baby: fats and trace elements, vitamins and food enzymes. Receiving mother's milk, the child grows and develops correctly. But what if, for some reason, breastfeeding is not possible? The way out is to use adapted infant formulas. At the same time, caring parents want their child to receive high-quality baby food without palm oil and GMOs.

What do experts think about this and what products do they recommend? Why is palm oil dangerous and why do manufacturers add it to products for children?

Why Choose Non-GMO Palm Oil Blend

Most breast milk substitutes contain palm oil. Why is it added to infant formula? Breast milk is saturated with fats (fatty acids), there are more than a dozen of them. Palmitic or hexadanoic acid makes up 1/4 of all fats in breast milk.

And fats are both building blocks for cells and the most important energy resource for the body. And in order to bring the composition of artificial substitutes closer to breast milk, vegetable and milk fats are introduced into them. Palm oil is most often used for this purpose, it is obtained from the fruits of the oil palm. It is characterized by a high content of hexanoic acid.

But a cautious, and sometimes very negative attitude has formed towards products with palm oil. Indeed, an excess of fatty acids and cholesterol, and a rather high melting point in the body, makes this component not the best in baby food. In addition, studies have found that this product interferes with the normal absorption of calcium, which negatively affects the growth and development of the child, worsens the functioning of the baby's digestive system.

Therefore, most parents choose infant formula without palm oil. But in addition to it, other components that pose a danger to the health of the newborn can be added to substitutes. For example, genetically modified ingredients. How to choose high-quality and safe food for babies? What to pay attention to?

Types of baby formula without palm oil

Experts say: when using baby food without palm and coconut oil, the absorption of calcium and fats by the body of newborns is significantly improved by about 20-25%. And specialists from the Research Institute of Nutrition (Moscow) say that infant formulas with palm oil are quite safe and recommend them for feeding children up to a year and older. The main thing is that the manufacturer does not exceed the allowable dosage of the components.

According to the composition of the product, artificial milk substitutes are divided into the following types:

• antireflux;
• hypoallergenic;
• with prebiotics;
• low-lactose - or lactose-free;
• soy;
• fermented milk.

Anti-reflux substitutes are recommended for newborns who experience frequent regurgitation during feeding. Hypoallergenic are prescribed for children who are at risk of possible food allergies. Foods with prebiotics have a beneficial effect on the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. If an infant is lactose intolerant, low-lactose or lactose-free substitutes are prescribed.

Which infant formula does not contain palm oil

Only 2 manufacturers do not use palm oil in the production of their products, manufactured under the brands and Nanny. Nutrilon, Kabrita and Heinz went the other way. Their products contain beta-palmitate - a substance with a modified structure of palmitic acid. Thanks to this, calcium is absorbed much better, which has a beneficial effect on bone mineralization, as well as the mental and physical development of infants.

Palm oil is completely eliminated in the production of Similac and Nanny infant formulas

List of palm oil-free infant formulas

If you are interested in a list of safe baby food without pure palm oil, we can recommend:

• Nanny. Produced in New Zealand. Hypoallergenic product based on goat milk;
• Similac. Produced in Denmark. Contains elements useful for digestion;
• Heinz. Created in the USA. Enriched with elements that activate digestion;
• Kabrita. The product is produced in the Netherlands, contains omega acids and beneficial bacteria;
• Nutrilon. Contains prebiotics. Produced in the Netherlands.

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Nenny

Heinz

Unfortunately, there are no domestic brands among the presented manufacturers, and the price of the presented brands is quite high. But if you care about the health of the child, then at least during the first 6 months, try to buy high-quality and safe food for the crumbs.

Best Baby Formula

A range of palm oil-free formulas are available for both healthy infants and allergic children, and for those who are overweight or lactose intolerant, have dysfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Consider the main characteristics of baby formulas of Similac brand palm oil bases:

Name of blend without palm oil	Characteristics	Child's age
Similac Premium 1, 2, 3	Added prebiotics and probiotics. The mixture is enriched with minerals and macronutrients. As close as possible to breast milk. Beneficial effect on digestion	from 0 to 18 months
Similac 1, 2	Recommended for healthy formula-fed/mixed-fed babies. Enriched with prebiotics.	from 6-12 months
Similac GA 1, 2	Hypoallergenic adapted blend. Normalizes digestion, improves immunity. It is prescribed for possible food allergies and for preventive purposes.	from 6-12 months
Similac PediaSure vanilla, chocolate	With prebiotics and vitamin-mineral complex. Improved taste.	from 12 months
Similac Isomil	Formulated with soy protein with antioxidants & prebiotics. Reduces regurgitation, prevents gas formation and colic.	Recommended for newborns with cow's milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance.
Similac Low lactose	Contains prebiotics. Normalizes digestion.	For newborns negatively reacting to lactose.
Similac 1 Antireflux	Enriched with a complex of nutrients. Normalizes the work of the digestive tract.	For newborns with frequent regurgitation.
Similac NeoSure	Enriched with a full range of nutrients. Promotes the rapid growth of the child.	Premature and low birth weight babies born weighing less than 1.8 kg.

Palm oil-free infant formulas are available in Nanny's goat's milk based product line. This healthy milk is closer in composition to breast milk than cow's milk. Thanks to the balanced protein and the prebiotics included in the composition, such nutrition will be useful for healthy babies and babies with low weight or with prematurity.

What is the best infant formula? Experts recommend those that contain prebiotics and vitamin-mineral complexes. At the same time, do not forget about the individual characteristics of the baby. And in order not to make a mistake when choosing baby food, be sure to consult a pediatrician.

conclusions

In order for your baby to grow up healthy and develop properly, give preference to baby milk formulas without palm oil. This will contribute to the full absorption of calcium, will favorably affect the digestion process and support the baby's immunity. Substitutes of this type are recommended for children from birth to 18 months.

Of the best all-purpose blends without palm oil, we recommend the following:

• Similac Premium;
• Similac Isomil;
• Similac 1 Antireflux;
• Nanny Classic.

Russian buyers are also offered adapted substitutes with a modified structure of palm oil, the component is indicated in the composition as beta palmitate. Such products are produced by Heinz, Kabrita, Nutrilon. These substitutes are close to breast milk in composition, do not contain GMOs, and therefore are completely safe for children.

Recently, there has been a heated debate about the role of palm oil in baby nutrition. Palm Oil Free Infant Formula - the subject of a dispute between manufacturers of baby food, pediatricians and caring mothers. Let's try to justify the addition of palm oil to the composition of infant formula.

It is an undeniable fact: mother's milk remains the ideal food for babies in all plans. For those who are left without it, it remains to eat specialized mixtures. Their production technologies are constantly being upgraded with only one goal - to reproduce breast milk as accurately as possible. The main raw material for the production of its substitutes is cow's milk, less often goat's milk. For children with lactase deficiency, soy or almonds are used as a base component. Cow's milk is significantly different in composition from women's milk, so it is adapted - artificially approximated in many ways. Consider the mechanism of adaptation of the fat component, because it is for this purpose that palm oil is added to the composition of infant formulas.

Correction of the fat component:

In breast and cow's milk, the quantitative composition of fats is approximately the same, but their chemical structure is significantly different. 50% of human milk lipids are unsaturated fatty acids: myristic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic. They have high biological activity, are not synthesized in the human body, but are indispensable in the diet. The manufacturer must not only solve the issue of their content in the mixture in a physiological ratio, but also perform a practical task: to ensure the protection of the product from oxidation and good solubility. This significantly affects the quality and tolerability.

In order for a child to grow and develop normally on mixed or artificial feeding, the fat component of the milk mixture must provide:

The optimal ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (from 1:5 to 1:15)
Proper distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Sufficient amount of unsaturated acids
The necessary ratio between the main antioxidant vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids for protection against lipid peroxidation.

To this end, milk fat is partially or completely replaced by a combination of vegetable oils. In isolation, each of them cannot meet stringent requirements. For better absorption, lecithin, mono- and diglycerides are introduced into the mixture. Milk formula without palm oil: how justified is its use?

Palmitic acid makes up one-fourth of the fat in breast milk. Its main natural source is the oil of the oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis). This substance is widely used in food production due to its low cost, valuable components and resistance to oxidation. It contains the following set of fatty acids:

palmitic - 45%
oleic - 39%
linoleic - from 4 to 13%
stearic - about 6%
myristic - about 1%.

Human milk contains a substance called beta palmitate. In it, palmitic acid is in the second position of glycerol (beta position). This is how it is located in tropical palm oil - the only natural source of this substance. As you can see, if you use a formula for a newborn without palm oil, in which it is replaced by other vegetable fats, you can deprive it of physiological essential substances.

In addition, the production uses the liquid component of palm oil - palmitic olein, which concentrates the most useful substances - fatty acids, carotene, antioxidants. Do you still prefer palm oil-free infant formula over others? Well, let's give more arguments.

... and more about palm oil:

Phospholipids included in its composition, the body uses to "build" nerve cells. Vitamins A, E, linoleic acid enhance immune defense, affect the formation of teeth and bones. The presence of coenzyme Q10, one of the main catalysts for metabolic processes, makes palm oil unique in its composition.

Saturated acids in palm oil are predominantly short chain. This contributes to the formation of normal intestinal microflora. Milk formula without palm oil lacks the advantage of having tocotrienol, a substance that helps lower blood cholesterol, excessive formation of phagocytes, prevents the formation of blood clots, and improves immunity.
Palm oil-free, non-gmo infant formula is another subject of discussion. A number of documents regulate the quantitative and qualitative composition, mandatory ingredients, sanitary and hygienic standards, etc. In Europe, this is Codex Alimentarius and Commission Directive 2006/141/EC. In accordance with them, the composition of milk mixtures should not include genetically modified raw materials, as well as sesame and linseed oil. They do not mention restrictions on palm oil.

Which mixture to choose?:

If our arguments still do not convince you, here is a list of baby formulas without palm oil. It is not so big: Similak (Abbott, USA) and Nenny (Bibikol, New Zealand).

Similac - one of the leaders in the production of baby food in the United States. Really high quality adapted milk formula without palm oil. Its absence has become the brand of the product. The fat component is adapted with high oleic sunflower, coconut and soybean oils. Note that in them palmitic acid is represented by a compound that is difficult to absorb. Similac bills itself as palm oil-free, non-gmo infant formula, although it contains soybean oil.  

The products meet all modern requirements for a highly adapted mixture, and the cost is appropriate. The range is represented by starter, follow-up and special mixtures (hypoallergenic, soy, anti-reflux, low-lactose).

Nanny - infant formula without palm oil in goat's milk. It is in many ways similar to women's: it has a similar amino acid and fat composition, is easier to digest, and contains less lactose. "Minus" - casein formula of the mixture. The proportion of whey proteins in it is only 20%. This fact indicates a low adaptation of the protein component of the mixture.
But they are represented by alpha- and gamma-lactalbumins, as in human milk, in contrast to beta-globulins in mixtures based on cow's milk. A special form of casein contributes to the formation of a delicate food clot and better digestion of proteins. The manufacturer indicated on the packaging that the mixture contains at least 46% goat milk. Raw materials valuable for dietary nutrition cause a high cost.

Conclusions:

Palm oil-free infant formula is more "bad" than "good". It contains palmitic acid, which is indispensable for the body, in the beta position, which is favorable for absorption. In other vegetable oils, its structure causes delayed absorption of Ca and fats. Given this fact, all adapted mixtures are enriched with calcium and vitamin D.
To adapt the fat component, the oleic liquid fraction is used, which contains all the most useful components of palm oil. Its harm is more of a marketing move by companies using other vegetable oils to replenish milk fat. But if you are a stubborn opponent of palm oil, then you can choose for your baby a modern adapted mixture without it - Similac. It is suitable for breastfeeding from birth. Nanny's mixture is low adapted in protein composition, so it is better to use it as an additional food.