What is LIPIL in baby formula?

Although you might assume that LIPIL is a specific nutrient or protein, it is actually a proprietary blend of ingredients created by Mead Johnson, a company that manufactures and sells infant formula under the brand Enfamil.

Content of LIPIL

According to Enfamil, LIPIL is a mixture of two ingredients, ARA and DHA. These two nutrients, which appear in breast milk but not in many manufactured infant formulas, are specific types of fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids–more scientifically known as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids–play an essential role in the development of infants’ eyes and brains. Hence, Enfamil adds LIPIL’s blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 to its formula in order “to give your baby a good start in Life!”

Improved Infant Development

Scientific studies have proven that babies who consistently drink LIPIL-enriched formulas develop better than babies who consume formulas that lack DHA and ARA. One study published in the journal Early Human Development, by Eileen E. Birch et al., demonstrated that LIPIL-fed babies matured as well as breast-fed babies in the areas of visual sight and verbal IQ.

Mental Effects

According to an article published in Development Medicine & Child Neurology (cited by Mead Johnson Nutrition), babies who consumed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids showed a better memory capability and an improved ability to solve problems by age 18 months.

Visual Effects

Another article in Early Human Development, by Sarah Morale, proved that children’s visual cortical function greatly improves when they drink sufficient DHA and ARA, even up to 52 weeks old. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds that this enhancement is especially potent in pre-term infants.

Alternative Brands

Although Enfamil is the only formula that technically contains “LIPIL,” a trademarked word, many other brands of formula are similarly enriched with DHA and ARA. Most of these products say “DHA and ARA” on the front of the package, and many even say “Compare to Enfamil LIPIL.” Examples include Member’s Mark Gentle Infant Formula Powder, Parent’s Choice Infant Formulas and Similac Advanced EarlyShield.

Source:

“LIPIL”; Enfamil, Mead Johnson Nutrition; 2009

“Visual Acuity and Cognitive Outcomes at 4 Years of Age in a Double-Blind, Randomized Trial of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Supplemented Infant Formula”; Eileen E. Birch et al.; Early Human Development 83:5; 2007

“Duration of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Availability in the Diet and Visual Acuity”; Sarah Morale et al.; Early Human Development 81:2; 2005

“N–3 Fatty Acids and Cognitive and Visual Acuity Development: Methodologic and Conceptual Considerations”; Carol L Cheatham, John Colombo, and Susan E Carlson; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 83:6; 2006

More Information:

“New Study Demonstrates 4 Year Olds Fed Enfamil LIPIL®”; Medical News Today; 2007

The post What is LIPIL in baby formula? appeared first on Painless Diet Plans.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/1No8tCT

via IFTTT