Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

594 ALICE CALLAHAN, PHD, HEATHER LEONARD, MED, RDN, AND TAMBERLY POWELL, MS, RDN
and corn syrup. These may be combined in ways to mimic the overall macronutrient
composition of breast milk, but the content of individual amino acids, fatty acids, and
sugars can vary somewhat. In addition, some of these nutrients are less digestible, so
to compensate, formulas tend to have higher levels of some nutrients, such as protein,
compared with breast milk. Formula contains more of some micronutrients, such as iron,
vitamin D, and vitamin K, so deficiencies of these vitamins and minerals are more common
in breastfed infants if they don’t receive appropriate supplementation or solid foods when
the time comes. 17
Infant formula also does not contain most of the bioactive molecules found in breast milk,
although formula companies are beginning to add versions of some of these molecules. For
example, many formulas now include some type of indigestible sugar molecule intended
to act as a prebiotic to feed healthy gut bacteria, similar to human milk oligosaccharides.
At this point, however, the evidence that such ingredients are beneficial to infants is not
very convincing. However, novel ingredients like these are often used as marketing tools,
with labels touting vague structure-function claims such as “brain-boosting” and “immunesupporting.”
Consumers should know that there is often little evidence that “designer
ingredients” in infant formula make them healthier for babies. All infant formulas are
required by law to be safe and meet the nutrient requirements of infants, and in most cases,
basic store brand formulas cost less and are just as good as other products on the shelf. It
may be true that infant formula can’t replicate the complexity of breast milk, but it has a very
strong track record of safety, and infants can grow and thrive with formula-feeding. 17