Latest findings for MFGM Lipids & Infant Cognitive Development

NZMP SureStart MFGM has changed its name to Nutiani MFGM Phospholipids. For more information about this ingredient, visit nutiani.com

Brain development is an important consideration for parents and continues to be a leading purchase driver of infant formula¹. A new whitepaper, based on a recent clinical study, shows the benefit of SureStart™ MFGM Lipids on infant brain development – the first to measure the impact of a Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) ingredient alone². 

Breastfeeding gives infants the best start in life by providing immune protection and supporting optimal growth and brain development. Human milk is the optimal nutrition source for infants and is the gold standard reference for the development and improvement of infant formula products – the only acceptable alternative for those who cannot or choose not to breastfeed.

MFGM, naturally present in human milk, contains key components such as phospholipids and gangliosides that play an important role in infant cognitive development. Infant formula typically has lower MFGM levels than human milk as the milk fat is replaced by vegetable oil.

When compared to standard formula, a recently published China study demonstrates that a formula-fed infant will benefit from the supplementation of SureStart™ MFGM Lipid into milk formula as it can help to match the key MFGM levels more closely found in breastmilk³.

Through a series of cognitive assessments, this study demonstrated the following statistically significant benefits of SureStart™ MFGM Lipid 100 supplementation into milk formula when compared to standard milk formula:

• Improved social and emotional behaviour such as self-regulation and communication.
  
• Improved general adaptive behaviour – a parent assessed measure of self-care and independence.
  
• Improved attention and short-term memory.

Our deep understanding of nutrition enables us to design ingredients for early life nutrition products that meet increasing consumer demand of MFGM Lipids brain and cognitive development support in infants and young children.

We have two ingredients, SureStart™ MFGM Lipid 100 and SureStart™ MFGM Lipid 70 which can be sourced either from New Zealand or Europe. Our SureStart™ MFGM ingredients are patent protected as a source of gangliosides for improving cognition.

Our MFGM Lipid ingredients have been recognised throughout the industry for innovation and ingenuity: MFGM Lipid 100 won the Infant Nutrition category ‘Ingredient of the Year’ at the 2018 NutraIngredients Awards Asia.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited and its group members involved in the manufacture or sale of NZMP branded products (‘Fonterra’) has provided this ‘NZMP Fast Facts’ for informational purposes only. It does not constitute recommendations or advice for the purposes of making financial decisions regarding trading in dairy products or commodities, or dealing in financial instruments relating to dairy commodities. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of reproducing and interpreting such information, no warranty or representation of such is made and Fonterra shall have no liability in respect of any reliance placed on such information in the formulation of any business decision.