Researchers used newborn pigs to study how fat type in infant formula affects the developing liver. They fed two simplified formulas that differed only in fat type: one rich in medium-chain fats from coconut oil and the other rich in long-chain fats from animal fat that is more like whole sow milk. Both groups had the same calories and protein.
Pigs given the medium-chain formula accumulated liver fat faster, and fat was visible within seven days. The team found that young livers can build up fat even when fat-burning processes increase. The researchers stressed that parents should not avoid formula; breast milk is the gold standard, but formula is a needed alternative when breastfeeding is not possible.
Difficult words
- researcher — person who studies and tests to learnResearchers
- newborn — baby or young animal just after birth
- accumulate — to build up over time or collectaccumulated
- medium-chain — a type of fat with medium length molecules
- long-chain — a type of fat with longer molecules than medium
- alternative — a different choice when the first is not possible
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Discussion questions
- Have you or someone you know used infant formula? How did you feel about that?
- Why might parents need to use formula instead of breastfeeding?
- Do you think results from pig studies can help us understand human babies? Why?
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