Mothers taking probiotic supplements appear to have higher levels
of an anti-inflammatory molecule in their breast milk, which could
offer their babies better protection against allergy and other
diseases, according to new findings.
New research appears to lend weight to the theory that rapid growth
in infancy, boosted by enriched infant formulas, might increase the
risk of heart disease and stroke later in life, say UK-based
scientists.
The World Health Organisation is renewing its call on governments
to promote breastfeeding and backing a strategy to dramatically
increase in the number of infants around the world being
exclusively breastfed.
A survey of infant formula by the UK's food watchdog finds levels
of harmful chemicals, dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) in infant formula have fallen significantly over
the past five years and are generally...
Infant formula with added probiotic bacteria appeared to reduce
irritability in infants and lowered the frequency of antibiotic
use, report US researchers.
Finland's National Food Agency is to investigate the marketing of
infant formulae and draw up an action plan to ensure compliance
with regulations after feedback from consumers prompted concern.
Preliminary research in the US finds that soy isoflavones, found in
soy infant formula, do not disrupt infant development, despite
concerns from some scientists that the isoflavones could act like
female hormones in infants.
A soy-based infant formula, linked to the deaths of three babies
and hospitalisation of several others in Israel in recent months,
was recalled from shelves this weekend, prompting widespread media
coverage.
A major trial on European children is to examine whether
reformulating the contents of infant foods, particularly the amount
of protein, could help reduce the risk of obesity in later life.
The EU-funded study is expected to confirm...
Supplementing infant formula with probiotics may be a safe and
effective way to boost the immune system in day care infants,
suggest two new studies. BioGaia's human strain L. reuteri
ATCC 55730 was found to be particularly effective.
Finnish dairy company Valio has seen the launch of two infant
nutrition products this spring, both in Finland and abroad,
featuring the probiotic lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus
Gorbach & Goldin (LGG).
The value of dietary fibre in the adult diet is now recognised as
important but in a journal this month researchers suggest that
babies may also benefit from the effects on bowel health by adding
fibre to milk formula.
Infants fed different infant formulas can develop significantly
different levels of bone mineral content and bone mineral density -
key indicators of bone strength - according to a new study in the
journal Pediatrics.
A combination of daily followed by weekly iron supplementation
appears to be the answer for treating severe anaemia in babies in
the developing world, according to a new French - Vietnamese study.
Leading nutritional experts yesterday called for new initiatives to
tackle iron deficiency among young children after a conference
heard that one in four infants over six months old is
iron-deficient in some parts of the UK. Iron...
The infant formula oils made by US-based Martek Biosciences, could
soon be used by formula manufacturers in Canada, after being
reviewed and passed by Canada's government health agency.
Children of parents who eat no meat are more likely to suffer from
birth defects than children of parents with a wider diet, according
to new research in the UK.
The Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories has announced
plans to launch an infant formula supplemented with two fatty acids
that function as nutritional building blocks in brain and eye
development.
