Enfamil launches A2 milk formula, researchers pinpoint breast milk “gold”

31 Aug 2020 --- Researchers have pinpointed how alarmins, a type of protein, play a role in helping breast milk strengthen children’s immunity and support intestinal flora. Dubbed the “gold” element in breast milk, the proteins prevent dangerous intestinal colonization disorders that can lead to blood poisoning and intestinal inflammation. Separately in the infant formula space, Enfamil is launching a new US product containing A2 milk proteins, touted as being easily digested.

“Supplementation with these [alarmin] proteins could support the development of newborns who do not produce enough alarmins or get enough in breast milk. That could prevent a range of long-term conditions linked to intestinal colonization disorders, such as chronic intestinal inflammation and obesity,” says team leader Dorothee Viemann of the Hannover Medical School (MHH) Clinic for Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology.

Carried out by MHH and the University of Bonn, Germany, the investigation has been pre-published in Gastroenterology and is set to soon appear in print. The researchers measured alarmin concentration in infant stool samples in the first year of life to study the proteins’ effect on the development of the intestinal flora and mucosa.

This revealed that alarmin peptides and proteins both derive from breast milk and arise in the child’s intestinal tract. The labor process plays a role in this, as infants born via planned C-section exhibit lower levels of alarmins than vaginally-born infants. Additionally, premature infants are less capable of producing alarmins themselves than full-term infants. Such individuals are thus more prone to suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases.

The post-natal intestinal immune system, which involves intestinal flora and mucosa, matures through interaction with bacteria in the environment. This gives rise to optimal bacteria diversity, which lasts a lifetime, affording protection against many diseases. Alarmins control this adaption process. 

Honing in on the research
Supporting this, a mouse model has shown that a single administration of alarmins affords protection against poor colonization and associated diseases. The researchers are now planning further preclinical work, as well as clinical study at a later stage.

“Our contribution was performing all bioinformatic preprocessing and analysis of the genetic data of the totality of all microorganisms derived from infant stool samples, which gave information about the composition of and possible imbalances in the intestinal flora,” says co-lead author Thomas Ulas of the University of Bonn. He adds that mathematical modeling was crucial in enabling scientists to demonstrate that alarmins significantly impact the development of the intestinal flora.

Enfamil has launched Enfamil Premium A2 Infant Formula, which may help some babies avoid digestive discomfort. A2 milk proteins
In other protein moves for the infant nutrition space, Enfamil has launched Enfamil Premium A2 Infant Formula. According to the brand, emerging evidence from studies in preschool children and adults suggests A2 milk is less likely to be associated with digestive discomfort. Cows historically only produced the A2 protein, but it is believed a mutation introduced A1 protein. Enfamil’s A2 formula has proteins from the milk of cows that still naturally produce the A2 protein, which is similar to that found in breast milk, it states.

A2 proteins are becoming increasingly popular in US infant formulas, with Gerber launching two offerings in May. The a2 Milk Company also recently made a non-binding indicative offer to acquire 75 percent of Mataura Valley Milk in a bid to grow its infant nutrition business. The company is also addressing the digestive needs of adults. 

Notably, Enfamil’s new offering features proteins sourced from European cows, while being regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “While parents may believe European baby formula brands are ‘cleaner’ than US companies, the lack of FDA oversight is concerning,” says Dr. Christina Valentine, a neonatologist and dietitian dedicated to maternal and infant diet and health, and Medical Director at RB Nutrition – the owner of the Enfamil brand.

The formula’s total fatty acids consist of 0.32 percent of brain-building DHA, which is within WHO’s recommended amount of 0.2 to 0.36 percent. It is also marketed as free from table sugar, corn, artificial growth hormones, antibiotics and GMOs. 

By Katherine Durrell