A milk formula containing maltodextrin, vs. lactose, as main carbohydrate source, improves cognitive performance of piglets in a spatial task

Altered Nutrient Composition of Lactose-Reduced Infant Formula

This research comprehensively examines 88 infant formulas available in the US market, with an emphasis on their diverging nutritional attributes based on lactose content. We stratified formulas into three categories: lactose-free, lactose-reduced, and entirely lactose-based. The formulas' nutritional content for 58 nutrients was obtained from the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR). Nutritional analysis revealed significant differences in nutrient composition across formula categories. For example, the results showed significant associations between the lactose content and glycemic index (GI) of the formula as well as 25 other nutrients. Specifically, we showed that for every gram of lactose per 100 g of formula that is removed, there was a 10.1% increase in GI (β = -10.12, p ≤ 0.000), a 19%,5%, and a 2% increase in added sugar (β = -0.19, p < 0.01), protein (β = -0.05, p < 0.001), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (β = -0.01, p < 0.01). The substitution of lactose in infant formulas significantly alters their nutritional profile, inducing changes in GI, added sugar, protein, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These modifications have potential consequences for infant growth and metabolic responses and could influence long-term health trajectories. The clinical relevance of the composition differences between formulas should be further explored.

Freeze-dried human milk microcapsules using gum arabic and maltodextrin: An approach to improving solubility

Human milk (HM) is essential for newborns' food, but its low storage stability is a limiting factor so that microencapsulation may stabilize and protect compounds sensitive to degradation. This study investigated the action of maltodextrin and gum arabic on freeze-dried HM concerning its quality and solubility. Microencapsulation was evidenced by morphology, and all samples presented high encapsulation efficiency (>85 %), proving to be an efficient process. Furthermore, specific signals in the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra indicate the interactions between the coating materials and the HM matrix. Gum arabic improved the reconstitution properties of freeze-dried HM (higher solubility, 3 % on average, and lower dissolution time, around 80 %), elucidating its high stabilization capacity, even at low concentrations (5 and 10 %). Despite the best results reached by gum arabic, the addition of maltodextrin proved effective; in other words, its low stabilization capacity enables combinations with gum arabic. A lower polidispersibility (difference of 20 % between samples: control and containing gum arabic) was also observed, which means that the encapsulated samples were more homogeneous. Therefore, through the analysis performed, we recommend using gum arabic alone or with maltodextrin to obtain HM microcapsules with a good quality of reconstitution.

Phenylalanine free infant formula in the dietary management of phenylketonuria

BACKGROUND

Phenylalanine-free infant formula is an essential source of safe protein in a phenylalanine restricted diet, but its efficacy is rarely studied. We report a multicentre, open, longitudinal, prospective intervention study on a phenylalanine-free infant formula (PKU Start: Vitaflo International Ltd.).

RESULTS

This was a 2-part study: part I (28 days short term evaluation) and part II (12 months extension). Data was collected on infant blood phenylalanine concentrations, dietary intake, growth, and gastrointestinal tolerance. Ten infants (n = 8 males, 80%), with a median age of 14 weeks (range 4-36 weeks) were recruited from 3 treatment centres in the UK. Nine of ten infants completed the 28-day follow-up (one caregiver preferred the usual phenylalanine-free formula and discontinued the study formula after day 14) and 7/9 participated in study part II. The phenylalanine-free infant formula contributed a median of 57% (IQR 50-62%) energy and 53% (IQR 33-66%) of total protein intake from baseline to the end of the part II extension study. During the 12-month follow-up, infants maintained normal growth and satisfactory blood phenylalanine control. Any early gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation, colic, vomiting and poor feeding) improved with time.

CONCLUSION

The study formula was well tolerated, helped maintain good metabolic control, and normal growth in infants with PKU. The long-term efficacy of phenylalanine-free infant formula should continue to be observed and monitored.

Invited review: strategic adoption of antibiotic-free pork production: the importance of a holistic approach

The discovery of the use of antibiotics to enhance growth in the 1950s proved to be one of the most dramatic and influential in the history of animal agriculture. Antibiotics have served animal agriculture, as well as human and animal medicine, well for more than seven decades, but emerging from this tremendous success has been the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, human medicine and animal agriculture are being called upon, through legislation and/or marketplace demands, to reduce or eliminate antibiotics as growth promotants and even as therapeutics. As explained in this review, adoption of antibiotic-free (ABF) pork production would represent a sea change. By identifying key areas requiring attention, the clear message of this review is that success with ABF production, also referred to as "no antibiotics ever," demands a multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach. Too frequently, the topic has been approached in a piecemeal fashion by considering only one aspect of production, such as the use of certain feed additives or the adjustment in health management. Based on the literature and on practical experience, a more holistic approach is essential. It will require the modification of diet formulations to not only provide essential nutrients and energy, but to also maximize the effectiveness of normal immunological and physiological capabilities that support good health. It must also include the selection of effective non-antibiotic feed additives along with functional ingredients that have been shown to improve the utility and architecture of the gastrointestinal tract, to improve the microbiome, and to support the immune system. This holistic approach will require refining animal management strategies, including selection for more robust genetics, greater focus on care during the particularly sensitive perinatal and post-weaning periods, and practices that minimize social and environmental stressors. A clear strategy is needed to reduce pathogen load in the barn, such as greater emphasis on hygiene and biosecurity, adoption of a strategic vaccine program and the universal adoption of all-in-all-out housing. Of course, overall health management of the herd, as well as the details of animal flows, cannot be ignored. These management areas will support the basic biology of the pig in avoiding or, where necessary, overcoming pathogen challenges without the need for antibiotics, or at least with reduced usage.

Development of Personalized Nutrition: Applications in Lactose Intolerance Diagnosis and Management

Recent discoveries in the “omics” field and the growing focus on preventive health have opened new avenues for personalized nutrition (PN), which is becoming an important theme in the strategic plans of organizations that are active in healthcare, food, and nutrition research. PN holds great potential for individual health optimization, disease management, public health interventions, and product innovation. However, there are still multiple challenges to overcome before PN can be truly embraced by the public and healthcare stakeholders. The diagnosis and management of lactose intolerance (LI), a common condition with a strong inter-individual component, is explored as an interesting example for the potential role of these technologies and the challenges of PN. From the development of genetic and metabolomic LI diagnostic tests that can be carried out in the home, to advances in the understanding of LI pathology and individualized treatment optimization, PN in LI care has shown substantial progress. However, there are still many research gaps to address, including the understanding of epigenetic regulation of lactase expression and how lactose is metabolized by the gut microbiota, in order to achieve better LI detection and effective therapeutic interventions to reverse the potential health consequences of LI.

Lactose and Digestible Maltodextrin in Milk Replacers Differently Affect Energy Metabolism and Substrate Oxidation: A Calorimetric Study in Piglets

BACKGROUND

In recent years, lactose-free infant formulas have been increasingly used. Digestible maltodextrins are commonly used as a substitute for lactose in these formulas, but the effects on energy metabolism are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the differences in energy metabolism and substrate oxidation in piglets fed milk replacers containing lactose compared with maltodextrin as the only source of carbohydrates.

METHODS

Piglets (Tempo × Topigs 20) from 8 litters were fed milk replacers containing lactose or maltodextrin (28% w/w, milk powder basis) from 1 to 9 wk of age (n =  4 litters/milk replacer). At 5 wk of age, 4 females and 4 entire males (mean ± SEM bodyweight, 10 ± 0.3 kg) were selected per litter, and housed in 16 groups of 4 littermates, with 2 females and 2 males per pen (n = 8 groups/milk replacer). Between 7 and 9 wk of age, groups were housed for 72 h in climate respiration chambers, and fed their experimental milk replacer in 2 meals per day, at 08:30 and 16:30. Heat production data were calculated from the continuous measurement of gaseous exchanges and analyzed using general linear models in SAS.

RESULTS

Resting metabolic rate was 6% less in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets, notably before the morning meal. The postprandial respiratory quotient was 13% greater in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets after both meals. Net rates of carbohydrate oxidation were on average 5% greater in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets, particularly after the afternoon meal, whereas net rates of fat oxidation were 9% less in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets, particularly after the morning meal.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with lactose, maltodextrin in milk replacers reduced resting metabolic rate in the fasting state, and induced a shift in postprandial substrate oxidation profiles in pigs. Further research is warranted to evaluate the consequences of these metabolic changes for body composition.