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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Having fish oil in baby formula may help improve the development of a childs brain and vision.
A new study from the United Kingdom reveals adding long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids -- usually found in fish oil -- to baby formula may help infants regulate their blood sugar better and make more proteins in their muscle cells. The addition of long-chain n-3 fatty acids may improve brain and visual development.
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Researchers looked at how these fatty acids affect protein metabolism in neonatal pigs. For one month, they gave piglets either a control formula with no fatty acid or formula with 3.5 percent of the fatty acid from fish oil.
The researchers found piglets getting the control formula produced fewer proteins in their body over time and their insulin became less effective at lowering blood sugar levels. But the ones getting the formula with fatty acids had increased protein production and their insulin remained as effective at using proteins in formula for growth as when the piglets were born.
Results show the fatty acids are taken up by cell membranes and make new proteins, which otherwise decline quickly after birth. Study authors report this effect could help researchers better understand the role of fatty acids in the development and future health of piglets, and human infants, as well.
The researchers conclude the higher levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids in muscle membranes can benefit early development of piglets and may help babies regulate muscle growth that can affect early development and future metabolic health.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Journal of Lipid Research, published online Oct. 11, 2007
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