1 of 5 An inside look at and how y increase absorption of calcium and essential fatty acids while improving digestive health. Close up portrait of eight mounth old baby What are? According to FDA regulations, animal fat must be replaced by a vegetable fat blend in all formula. OPO (oleic-palmitic-oleic) is a premium fat blend, (called Betapol in Europe), which is patterned after human milk fat. While all fat molecules consist of three fatty acids attached to a triglyceride backbone, fatty acids can be arranged differently. Traditional fat blends found in most North American formula have fatty acids organized on backbone in this order: palmitic-oleic-palmitic (POP). For OPO, fatty acids are arranged: oleic-palmitic-oleic. While this may seem like a simple change, se are two completely different fat molecules and refore behave differently in body. KABRITA Goat Milk Toddler Formula is only formula in North American market using this premium fat blend. Why do we add? Fats are an essential component of formula and are crucial for normal growth and development. They are particularly important for cell membrane, eye, brain and immune system development. About 20-25% of fat in human breast milk is palmitic acid, which supports key functions in fat and mineral absorption, and intestinal function, and 70% of this exists in OPO form.
2 of 5 The OPO fat blend used in KABRITA Goat Milk Toddler Formula is a unique blend of vegetable fats specifically designed to mimic percentage of palmitic acid and fatty acid chains in exact formation as found in breast milk. This is fundamental difference to or formulas on market today. Because OPO fat blends match fat composition in human breast milk, y have five main benefits for children: 1. Increases calcium absorption OPO fat blends promote greater absorption of minerals, including calcium. When palmitic acid is arranged in first and third position, like we see in standard POP fat blends, palmitic acid can detach from POP triglyceride and form a bond with calcium. The new palmitic acid-calcium group (called a calcium soap) gets excreted from body taking calcium your child needs with it. In OPO formation, palmitic acid stays attached to backbone and cannot couple with calcium. This means more calcium gets absorbed into body. Research has shown children fed formula with OPO fat blends absorbed 15% more calcium than children fed formula with a conventional POP fat blend. Studies have also shown effect of OPO fat structure on calcium absorption to positively impact bone development.
3 of 5 2. Improves stool consistency As explained above, OPO fat blends improve calcium absorption because y do not create calcium soaps. The creation of calcium soaps can lead to harder stools and constipation. Stool consistency in children was improved 90% of time when fed OPO formula compared to 50% of time when fed formula with conventional fat blends. 3. Promotes healthy gut microflora Fatty acids also fuel gut microflora ( healthy bacteria that live in digestive tract). These bacteria are important for children for many reasons: not only are y crucial in promoting healthy digestion, y regulate development of immune system, protect against infection, modulate inflammatory responses and synsize certain vitamins, such as vitamin K. One study showed that children fed formula with OPO fat blends and breastfed children had higher amounts of microflora compared to those fed formula with traditional fat blend.
4 of 5 4. Decreases colic and gas OPO fat blends have also been shown to significantly decrease colic and gas in children. Several studies have reported a positive association between intake of high OPO formulas and behavior. Results have shown that children receiving high OPO formula had a significant decrease in crying episodes. In one study, crying behavior of children fed a formula containing OPO fat blend was comparable to that of breastfed group. 5. Improves fat absorption Fats are crucial for normal growth and development, and particularly important for cell membrane, eye, brain, and immune system development. However, way different fats are structured impacts how y are absorbed by small intestine. Studies have shown that palmitic acid is most absorbable when in middle position on backbone (like we see in ): 91% palmitic acid is absorbed from OPO fat blends compared to 79% from typical fat blends.
5 of 5 Less constipation, a healthy digestive track and better fat and calcium absorption make OPO fat blends an excellent choice for your child. Learn more about OPO here. Behind label is an ongoing series looking at ingredients we choose to include in KABRITA products, in order to help parents make nutritional decisions for ir family with confidence and joy.