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Iron-Fortified Formula May Slow Development of Nonanemic Infants Also Recipes for Homemade Formula 5-5-08
Iron-fortified baby formula may pose a developmental risk to children
who do not need iron supplementation, according to a study reported here.
Ten years after receiving formula containing 12 mg/L of iron as infants,
children had lower scores across a battery of developmental tests compared with
children given formula containing 2.3 mg/L of iron, said Betsy Lozoff, M.D., of
the University of Michigan, at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting.
Children in the fortified-iron group had significantly lower scores on two tests
and "suggestively" lower IQ scores.
"Our results for 25 years of research show problems with lack of iron," said Dr.
Lozoff. "For us to find this result is a big deal, really unexpected."
However, most children who received the fortified formula did not have low
scores on the tests. The between-group differences were driven by the 5% of
children who had the highest hemoglobin levels when they enrolled in the study
at the age of six months.
The findings came from a study involving 835 healthy Chilean infants who were
free of iron-deficiency anemia at baseline. They were randomized to regular or
iron-fortified baby formula from six to 12 months. The objective was to
determine whether iron supplementation in nonanemic children would translate
later on into better scores on tests of development.
As 10-year-olds, the children completed a battery of tests that assessed motor
skills, IQ, spatial memory, reading and arithmetic skills, and visual-motor
integration. Dr. Lozoff said 494 of the children participated in the 10-year
assessment.
Children fed the iron-fortified formula had consistently lower scores on all of
the tests. There were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) on the
tests of spatial memory and visual-motor integration.
"Effects depended on initial iron status," Dr. Lozoff and colleagues reported.
"Interactions between six-month hemoglobin and group were significant for
spatial memory, motor coordination, and overall visual-motor integration.
Children who entered the randomized controlled trial with high hemoglobin
(suggesting iron sufficiency) showed poorer outcome if they received
iron-fortified formula."
Most infants do not have hemoglobin assessments before nine to 12 months, Dr.
Lozoff noted. The results of the study do not provide a mandate for earlier
assessment to avoid unnecessary, and potentially harmful, iron supplementation.
"At this point there's no basis for changing practice, but it's really important
that we have continued research on this issue," she said.
Comment:
I have always recommended low iron formula! Because I have always believed regular formula has to much, plus regular formula often causes constipation. If you cannot breastfeed. The healthiest way is to make your own formula.
MILK-BASED FORMULA
Makes 36 ounces
Our milk-based formula takes account of the fact that human milk is richer in whey, lactose, vitamin C, niacin, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to cow's milk but leaner in casein (milk protein). The addition of gelatin to cow's milk formula will make it more digestible for the infant. Use only truly expeller-expressed oils in the formula recipes, otherwise they may lack vitamin E.
The ideal milk for baby, if he cannot be breastfed, is clean, whole raw milk from old-fashioned cows, certified free of disease, that feed on green pasture. For sources of good quality milk, see www.realmilk.com or contact a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
If the only choice available to you is commercial milk, choose whole milk, preferably organic and unhomogenized, and culture it with a piima or kefir culture to restore enzymes (available from G.E.M. Cultures 253-588-2922 or http://www.gemcultures.com).
2 cups whole milk, preferably unprocessed milk from pasture-fed cows
1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See recipe for whey, below) Note:
Do NOT use whey from making cheese--it will cause the formula to curdle. Use
only homemade whey made from yoghurt, kefir or separated raw milk.
4 tablespoons lactose*
1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis**
2 or more tablespoons good quality cream (not ultrapasteurized), more if you are
using milk from Holstein cows
1 teaspoon regular dose cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver
oil*
1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil*
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil*
2 teaspoons coconut oil*
2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes*
1 7/8 cups filtered water
1/4 teaspoon acerola powder*
**Available from Natren 866-462-8736,
www.natren.com, or Radiant
Life 888-593-8333,
www.radiantlifecatalog.com. Also, please note earlier versions of this web
page called for 1 tsp of bifidobacterium infantis--this was a typo.
Add gelatin to water and heat gently until gelatin is dissolved. Place all ingredients in a very clean glass or stainless steel container and mix well. To serve, pour 6 to 8 ounces into a very clean glass bottle, attach nipple and set in a pan of simmering water. Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle well and feed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave oven!) Note: If you are using the Lact-Aid, mix all ingredients well in a blender.)
Variation: Goat Milk Formula
Although goat milk is rich in fat, it must be used with caution in infant feeding as it lacks folic acid and is low in vitamin B12, both of which are essential to the growth and development of the infant. Inclusion of nutritional yeast to provide folic acid is essential. To compensate for low levels of vitamin B12, if preparing the Milk-Based Formula (above) with goat's milk, add 2 teaspoons frozen organic raw chicken liver, finely grated to the batch of formula. Be sure to begin egg-yolk feeding at four months.
LIVER-BASED FORMULA
Makes about 36 ounces
Our liver-based formula also mimics the nutrient profile of mother's milk. It is extremely important to include coconut oil in this formula as it is the only ingredient that provides the special medium-chain saturated fats found in mother's milk. As with the milk-based formula, all oils should be truly expeller-expressed.
3 3/4 cups homemade beef or chicken broth
2 ounces organic liver, cut into small pieces Note: It is VERY important
that the liver be frozen for 14 days before using.
5 tablespoons lactose*
1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis**
1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See recipe for whey, below)
1 tablespoon coconut oil*
1 teaspoon cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil*
1 teaspoon unrefined sunflower oil*
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon acerola powder
*Available from Radiant Life 888-593-8333,
www.radiantlifecatalog.com
**Available from Natren 866-462-8736,
www.natren.com. Also, please
note earlier versions of this web page called for 1 tsp of bifidobacterium
infantis--this was a typo.
Simmer liver gently in broth until the meat is cooked through. Liquefy using a handheld blender or in a food processor. When the liver broth has cooled, stir in remaining ingredients. Store in a very clean glass or stainless steel container. To serve, stir formula well and pour 6 to 8 ounces in a very clean glass bottle. Attach a clean nipple and set in a pan of simmering water until formula is warm but not hot to the touch, shake well and feed to baby. (Never heat formula in a microwave oven!)
FORTIFIED COMMERCIAL FORMULA
Makes about 35 ounces
This stopgap formula can be used in emergencies, or when the ingredients for homemade formula are unavailable.
1 cup Mead Johnson low-iron, milk-based powdered formula
29 ounces filtered water (3 5/8 cups)
1 large egg yolk from an organic egg, cooked 3 1/2 minutes (See recipe for egg
yolk, below)
1 teaspoon cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly. Place 6-8 ounces in a very clean glass bottle. (Store the rest in a very clean glass jar in the refrigerator for the next feedings.) Attach a clean nipple to the bottle and set in a pan of simmering water until formula is warm but not hot to the touch, shake well and feed to baby. (Never heat formula in a microwave oven!)
EGG YOLK FOR BABY
Egg yolk should be baby's first solid food, starting at 4 months, whether baby is breastfed or formula-fed. Egg yolks from pastured hens will contain the special long-chain fatty acids so critical for the optimal development of the brain and nervous system. The whites may cause an allergic reaction and should not be given to baby until he is at least one year old.
1 organic egg from a pasture-fed hen
1/2 teaspoon grated raw organic liver, frozen for 14 days (optional)
Boil egg for 3 1/2 minutes. Place in a bowl and peel off shell. Remove egg white and discard. Yolk should be soft and warm, not hot, with its enzyme content intact.
If you wish to add liver, grate on the small holes of a grater while frozen. Allow to warm up and stir into egg yolk.
HOMEMADE WHEY
About 5 cups
Homemade whey is easy to make from good quality plain yoghurt, or from raw or cultured milk. You will need a large strainer that rests over a bowl.
If you are using yoghurt, place 2 quarts in the strainer lined with a tea towel. Cover with a plate and leave at room temperature overnight. The whey will drip out into the bowl. Place whey in clean glass jars and store in the refrigerator.
If you are using raw or cultured milk, place 2 quarts of the milk in a glass container and leave at room temperature for 2-4 days until the milk separates into curds and whey. Pour into the strainer lined with a tea towel and cover with a plate. Leave at room temperature overnight. The whey will drip out into the bowl. Store in clean glass jars in the refrigerator.