Features of the use of palm oil in baby food

Currently, disputes over such a popular product as palm oil do not subside. Someone thinks that it is unacceptable for use not only by children, but also by adults.Others without fear take in food products based on it. On the shelves of the stores, most of the infant formulas contain palm oil in the composition. How justified is its use and is there nutrition for children without this component?

Palm oil is a product derived from the fruits of oily palm. The share of its use in production accounts for almost a third of all vegetable oils. This is not surprising, because it is very cheap and easy to transport. In addition, he has a number of positive qualities.

• The greatest resistance to oxidation among fellows. This means that it can be used as a natural preservative.
• A high content of vitamin E (about 15 mg per 100 g of product). This vitamin affects the hardening of the bones. Especially negatively its deficiency can affect the children's body and the body of an elderly person.
• Tokotrienol in the composition of palm oil helps to improve the work of the cardiovascular system: improves blood circulation, reduces cholesterol levels, helps with elevated pressure.
• The same substance plays an important role in the prevention of cancer.

• This product contains a large amount of antioxidants. Their properties are to prevent the dying off of brain cells, that is, with regular consumption of palm oil in food, the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases decreases.
• Enhances the body's immunity with the help of alpha-tocopherol.
• Unlike other vegetable oils, palm oil lowers triglycerides and cholesterol. It contributes to weight loss.
• A small amount of the product every day does not increase the level of glucose in the blood, unlike, for example, butter, which means that food intake is indicated for diabetics.
• Provitamin A is involved in the production of pigment in the retina and helps the functioning of the vision analyzer.
• Extends shelf life of products due to low oxidizing ability.
• In breast milk contains palmitic acid, but it can also be isolated from palm oil. This property makes it indispensable in the production of baby food.

It is worth noting that in itself, palm oil is not more harmful than butter, but with one “but”: its oxide value should be no more than 0.5. But in Russia, a product with the number 10 is used. In the rest of the world, oil with such an indicator is technical. This means that it is very harmful to use it in the preparation of food, and especially infant formula.

• The main negative factor in the consumption of palm oil is a large amount of fat. If a large amount of this product is consumed, plaques may form in the vessels causing heart disease.
• There is a risk of cancer against the background of abundant ingestion of the product.
• If the oil is not certified, then it may contain substances such as arsenic, lead, and even mercury. Eating a “left” product can simply be a health hazard.
• Scientific works of scientists have demonstrated that palm olein reduces the absorption of calcium by the human body. In general, the harm from the oil of exotic wood is similar to other vegetable oils in the case of poor-quality raw materials, insufficient processing and the lack of compliance with special standards.

In baby food, palm oil of deep purity is used: palm olein, which is present in breast milk, is extracted from it using various chemical reactions. However, many mothers prefer to still choose infant formula without this component. Benefit in the shops of such breast milk replacers abound.

Most often in stores and commercials you can see a mixture without palm oil, like Similac.

1. Premium 1, 2, 3. For babies up to 18 months.This diet includes substances such as probiotics and prebiotics. The composition has omega-3 and omega-6, as well as lutein. This mixture has a beneficial effect on the development of immunity.
2. 1, 2. The composition contains prebiotics and nucleotides to maintain the health of the infant. Recommended for babies from 6 to 12 months.
3. "HA" 1, 2. A great option for children from 6 to 12 months prone to allergic reactions.
4. PediaSure, or "Maloezhka." Recommended for use by children from 1 year to 6 years, one or two bottles per day. This children's drink contains a concentrate of micro-and macronutrients, which allows children without appetite to fill their diet with a small portion of this mixture.
5. Isomil. Product for newborns with milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance. In the composition there is soy protein. This food prevents colic and increased gas formation.
6. "Low lactose". For newborns with sensitivity to milk sugar.
7. "Antireflux". It contains a complex of substances that normalize the work of the baby’s digestive tract, therefore it is suitable for newborns with abundant regurgitation.
8. NeoSure. For underweight and premature babies. The composition of the active complex of substances that provoke weight gain and accelerate the development of the child.

In addition to the brand Similac, nutrilon-free nutrition is a mixture without palm oil. Nutrilon has firmly occupied its niche in the infant formula market due to its high quality, affordable price and a wide assortment list.

1. Premium PronutriPlus 1, 2, 3. A mixture with prebiotics for children up to one and a half years.
2. "Hypoallergenic" 1. For babies up to six months in order to prevent possible allergies.
3. Premium Junior 3, 4 PronutriPlus. For children from a year to two with a weakened immune system.
4. Premium Pre PronutriPlus 0, 1. For children up to six months with low weight.
5. "Amino Acids". For children with allergies to soy and animal protein. Suitable from birth to two years.
6. "Sour-milk" 1, 2. Used by children from birth to 12 months with problematic intestines.
7. "Lactose-free". For children with lactose intolerance from birth to two years.
8. "Pepti Gastro". For children with problematic intestines. Take up to two years.

Nanny mixes on goat milk also do not contain palm oil. They are most adapted to the female breast milk and are of several types:

• "Classic" - 0–12 months;
• 1 "with prebiotics" - initial mix for children up to 6 months;
• 2 "with prebiotics" - the subsequent mix for children from 6 to 12 months;
• 3 - drink for babies from 12 months based on goat milk.

Kabrita is a mixture from Holland, also produced with goat milk. There is no palm oil in it. There are only three types of this food:

• 1 Gold - initial up to 6 months;
• 2 Gold - subsequent from 6 to 12 months;
• 3 Gold - baby milk based on goat milk for children older than one year.

A popular blend in this category is also Nestogen nutrition. It happens the following types:

• 1 (with Prebio prebiotics) - allows you to form a healthy intestinal microflora and reduce colic, is used for children in the first 6 months of life;
• 2 - the subsequent mix for children from 6 months to a year;
• 3 - replaces cow's milk to children from a year in accordance with the recommendations of pediatricians;
• 4 - baby milk for babies over one and a half years.

The Italian company Heinz also has an adapted breast-milk substitute - Infanta 1, which is used from birth. It has a soft structure and a pleasant smell. The problem is its rarity.

As part of the mixtures of NAN met palm oil, but not so long ago, manufacturers produced an adapted high-grade blend NAN 1 Premium without GMOs, manufactured in Switzerland. Milk protein-based adaptation contains bifidobacteria, minerals, probiotics, and a set of B vitamins that help prevent iron deficiency anemia. NAN also contains bacteria for excellent bowel function. The disadvantages of this product include not very pleasant taste, which sometimes causes the refusals of newborns from this mixture.

A mixture of Alfare from the company Nestle has successfully established itself as a hypoallergenic mixture of high quality. Does not contain lactose and sucrose, includes anti-inflammatory fatty acids. Can be used from birth.

MAMEX plus is also an adaptation version of the baby's breast milk replacer without palm oil. This product is recommended for babies from birth to one year. The description states that this food prevents intestinal problems and regurgitation.

The famous pediatrician claims that modern mixtures are adapted to breast milk and you should not be afraid of harm from palm oil in the composition. Even if it is included in baby food, it is already processed and adapted for use in food by infants. Modern technologies make it possible to isolate the necessary olein from palm oil, which is naturally present in breast milk.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, It is much more harmful to feed babies in the old fashioned way with semolina or cow's milk in the absence of breastfeeding than to give milk formulas containing palm fats. Allergies and poor calcium absorption can also be observed in babies who eat mother's milk.

For newborns it is especially important to get the maximum amount of nutrients and probiotics. Baby food now can best meet the needs of infants, even with palm oil in the composition.

About what pediatricians think about palm oil in infant formula, see the following video.