Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
04:41
Measuring Lactase Enzymatic Activity in the Teaching Lab
Published on: August 6, 2018
113.7K
Altered Nutrient Composition of Lactose-Reduced Infant Formula
Pari Mokhtari1, Kelsey A Schmidt1, Mahsa Babaei1
1Department of Pediatrics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Nutrients
|January 23, 2024
Summary
Removing lactose from infant formula significantly alters its nutritional profile, increasing glycemic index and added sugar. These changes may impact infant growth and long-term health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Food Science
Background:
- Infant formula composition varies significantly, impacting nutritional delivery.
- Lactose is a primary carbohydrate in many infant formulas, influencing metabolic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the nutritional differences in US infant formulas based on lactose content.
- To investigate the association between lactose levels and other nutrients, including glycemic index.
Main Methods:
- Examined 88 infant formulas categorized by lactose content (lactose-free, reduced, lactose-based).
- Utilized data from the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) for 58 nutrients.
- Performed statistical analysis to identify nutrient composition differences and associations.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in nutrient profiles were observed across formula categories.
- Lactose content was strongly associated with glycemic index (GI) and other nutrients.
- Reduced lactose correlated with increased GI, added sugar, protein, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Conclusions:
- Substitution of lactose in infant formulas substantially alters nutritional composition.
- Changes in GI, added sugar, protein, and fatty acids may affect infant development and health.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these formula modifications.
