Early Nutrition for Optimum Growth

Breastfeeding is known to provide an optimal protein supply and thus protect growth and development. Excessive protein intake, however, typically from conventional formulas, may lead to greater insulin promotion and IGF-1 circulation, greater weight gain and fat mass deposition and ultimately later obesity development risk. This is supported by the ‘Early Protein Hypothesis’ and an EU-funded double-blind RCT recruiting 1,678  infants from 5 countries, the childhood obesity project (CHOP). A new study looking at toddlerhood also shows that unmodified cow’s milk may not be a suitable choice to promote growth and development, due to its high protein content.

Presented at the symposium organised by NNI in Singapore, June 2023.