The first few years of life, especially infancy and early childhood, are the most rapid growth phases. During this time, bones and teeth develop rapidly, making adequate nutrition essential. Calcium is a vital nutrient for this development, and milk is considered one of the best sources because its calcium is highly bioavailable.
Many parents often wonder: Why do some babies rely on formula instead of breastmilk? And does palm oil in formula affect calcium absorption? To find out, we spoke with Mr. Qian Xingguo, an expert in pediatric care at Guangzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital. He provided two key insights.
First, breastmilk is the optimal food for infants. However, if breastfeeding isn't possible, formula should be used instead of regular cow's milk. Cow’s milk contains high levels of saturated fat—about 80% to 85%—and also has a high calcium content. When both saturated fats and calcium are present in large amounts in the digestive system, they can form "soap-like" compounds known as calcium soaps, which may lead to constipation and hinder calcium absorption. Additionally, the salt content in cow’s milk is high, including excessive calcium, which can strain a baby’s kidneys.
Infant formula, on the other hand, is specifically designed to mimic breastmilk. It uses milk (or goat milk) as a base but reduces the casein content and lowers calcium levels. It also removes saturated fats and reduces salt. By adding whey protein, vitamins, and other nutrients, it closely matches the nutritional profile of breastmilk, ensuring better absorption of calcium and other essential nutrients without harming the baby’s kidneys. This makes infant formula a safe and effective alternative when breastfeeding isn’t possible.
Second, many infant formulas use a variety of vegetable oils, including palm oil, to provide a balanced fatty acid profile. Breastmilk is the gold standard for evaluating formula quality. While cow’s milk naturally contains trans fatty acids, vegetable oils like palm oil help reduce them. Refined palm oil contains more monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly 16-carbon palmitic acid, and less saturated fat, making its composition closer to that of breastmilk. Studies by nutrition experts have shown that palm oil does not negatively affect calcium absorption compared to other fats. Moreover, palm oil has been safely used in infant formulas for decades, with no evidence of reduced calcium absorption.
In conclusion, breastmilk remains the best choice for feeding infants. If breastfeeding isn’t possible, it’s important to choose formulas that closely match the nutritional profile of breastmilk, including healthy fats. Formulas containing palm oil are safe and do not interfere with calcium absorption. Parents can confidently choose such formulas to support their baby’s healthy growth and development.
O2 Cylinder,Medical Liquid Oxygen Tank,Blue Medical Liquid Oxygen Tank,60L Oxygen Cylinder
JIANGSU NEW FIRE FIGHTING TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD , https://www.newayfire.com