Is Metafolin® INF a suitable source for folate in formula intended for infants?

Talking Nutrition Editors

Folate in infant formula and follow-on formula

  • The B-vitamin folate is an essential nutrient needed for optimal cell division, tissue growth and cognitive development. Therefore it is particulary important during this period of rapid growth and development in infancy.
  • Metafolin® is the predominant form of folate in breast milk and a recent study has demonstrated the safety of use and the nutritional suitability of Metafolin® for use in infant formula and follow-on formula.

Ask the expert: Metafolin® as a folate source for infant formula

Talking Nutrition speaks to Barbara Troesch, Lead Scientist Nutrition Science & Advocacy Global, about the findings of the study investigating the safety and suitability of MTHF as a new source of folate for infant formula and follow-on formula. 

The role of folate for optimal infant development

The B-vitamin folate is an essential nutrient needed for optimal cell division, tissue growth and cognitive development. Therefore it is particulary important during the period of rapid growth and development in early life.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate which does not occur in nature and is only found in foods fortified with folic acid. Currently, folic acid is the only folate source approved for use in infant formula and follow-on formula. In breast milk, the predominant form of folate is MTHF, an active form of folate. Folic acid on the other hand needs to be activated in the body. Depending on the genotype, not everybody is able to do this efficienty.1

Generally folic acid is metabolized to MTHF in the enterocytes in the gut lining. At higher intakes, this mechanism is overloaded and folic acid enters the plasma unmetabolized.Unmetabolized folic acid is not present in breast milk, unless maternal intakes via supplements or fortified foods are high. It is important to consider the genetic differences in ability to metabolize folic acid, which may decrease the availability of active folate.

MTHF provides a more natural solution for infant and follow-on formula, and a new study has been published that investigated the safety and suitability of using MTHF as source of folate.3

Investigating the potential of MTHF

The study assessed growth, tolerance and Africa was shown to be the most undernourished region, at a rate of 20%. In Western Asia, more than 12% of the population is undernourished too.indicators of safety in infants who were fed a formula containing MTHF, compared to infants fed a standard formula with folic acid. 

Infants who consumed the formula with MTHF did not show significant differences in growth and tolerance compared to infants fed the same formula including folic acid. Weight gain was comparable between both groups and the addition of MTHF did not raise any safety concerns or result in any adverse effects. The results have demonstrated that MTHF is a safe approach to providing adequate folate intake without increasing the amount of unmetabolized folic acid in the plasma of formula-fed infants.    

DSM supports the WHO recommendation that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and then breastfed alongside complementary food for up to the age of two years or beyond, to achieve optimal growth, development and long-term health. Not all infants can be breastfed. So, infant formula and follow-on formula need to be optimized to provide a nutritional, safe and adequate alternative. The results of the study represent an important step in achieving approval for MTHF as a natural form of folate. 

Published on

23 August 2019

Tags

  • Essentials for early life
  • Babies and Nursing
  • New Science
  • Innovation Services
  • Article
  • R&D

Share

2 min read

Related Content

Sign up for our newsletter

   Stay up-to-date on the latest science, events and market trends

We are social

Follow us on your favorite social networks.

Follow Us:

References

1. Mallol J. et al. 2010. International prevalence of recurrent wheezing during the first year of life: variability, treatment patterns and use of health resources. Thorax 65:1004-1009.

2. Blasbalg TL. 2011. Changes in consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the United States during the 20th century. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 93:950-962.

3. Blümer N, Renz H. Consumption of omega3-fatty acids during perinatal life: role in immuno-modulation and allergy prevention. J Perinat Med 2007; 35: Suppl 1:S12-8.

4. Bisgaard H. et al. 2016.  Fish oil-derived fatty acids in pregnancy and wheeze and asthma in offspring. New England Journal of Medicine  375:2530-38.

More than ingredients

Learn how DSM can help your business. Select the options below to connect your needs with the right solution.

I'd like to explore...

If the options above don't sound like you, skip ahead and contact us.

Quick Links

Premix Solutions

Customized blends of desired functional ingredients in one single, efficient, homogenous premix. 

Health Benefits & Solutions

Solutions to address consumers' health and lifestyle needs.

Market-ready Solutions

Streamline your product development process and get to market faster. 

dsm-firmenich.com

We're innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty. And we bring progress to life! 

Talking Nutrition

Explore new science, consumer insights, industry events and more.

Customer Portal

Request samples, place orders and view product documentation.