Whey protein supports healthy growth, research says

Infant formula containing Arla Foods Ingredients’ Lacprodan IF-3070 supports healthy growth, with trajectories comparable to those of breastfed infants, clinical research has found. The study also found that it was well tolerated. Lacprodan IF-3070 is a partially hydrolysed whey protein ingredient specially designed to support gastrointestinal comfort in healthy infants.

In the clinical study, which focused primarily on safety and growth outcomes, 251 newborns under the age of 14 days were recruited from six Chinese hospitals. They were randomised to receive either a standard formula based on intact protein, or one containing both intact protein and Lacprodan IF-3070 (approximately 40%). Breastfed infants were included as a reference.

At the end of the six-month intervention period, the difference in mean daily weight gain between the Lacprodan IF-3070 group and the breastfed group was found to be only 0.4g per day. The difference between the standard formula group and the breastfed group was 1.1 g per day. In other words, growth trajectories in the infants receiving LacprodanmIF-3070 were comparable to those who were breastfed.

In addition to being safe and supporting healthy growth, the ingredient was well tolerated. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events (gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting or refusal, respiratory diseases such as coughs, or general disorders such as fevers) between the Lacprodan F-3070 group and the breastfed group. By contrast, the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders was significantly higher in the standard formula group than in the breastfed group.

Lotte Neergaard Jacobsen, chief scientist, early life nutrition, at Arla Foods Ingredients, said, “Healthy growth is one of the main benefits influencing infant formula purchases, and a particular focus in the Chinese market. At Arla Foods Ingredients, we have decades of experience in developing high-quality milk protein hydrolysates for infant formulas. We invest heavily in research to ensure the safety and high standards of our ingredients, and we’re delighted that the first clinical study on Lacprodan F-3070 has confirmed that it supports healthy growth.”

Since their introduction in the 1940s, milk protein hydrolysates have been widely used in infant nutrition due to their documented benefits for allergy management and the reduction of digestive discomfort.

The study was carried out at Peking University in collaboration with the Junlebao Dairy Group. Professor Yvan Vandenplas, MD, PhD at the KidZ Health Castle University Hospital Brussel (UZ Brussel), a paediatric nutrition expert, was a consultant and co-investigator. The publication is the first of a series of four based on the study.

View the full research at: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/5/770