BABY'S ONLY ORGANIC DAIRY WITH DHA & ARA FORMULA

Carbohydrates

Baby’s Only Organic^® Toddler Formula uses organic brown rice syrup as its carbohydrate source in addition to naturally occurring organic lactose. Rice is known to be a relatively non-allergenic food and well tolerated by infants. This is the reason rice cereal is most often the first food introduced to older infants. Lactose has not been added to the formula; however, the cow's milk used in Baby's Only Organic^® does naturally contain lactose. Earth’s Best^® and Wal-Mart’s formulas contain added lactose for carbohydrate, which may cause some concern if a baby is sensitive to lactose. Too much lactose can overwhelm the baby’s ability to digest the milk-sugar and cause gassiness, bloating and a very unhappy baby. If the parents are milk sensitive, consult with the baby’s healthcare professional and a non-dairy formula may be recommended such as Baby’s Only Organic^® Soy formula.

Carbohydrates are one of the crucial dietary sources of energy that supports the brain, enables muscular contractions, and provides the fuel necessary for a baby’s rapid growth through 24-months of age. So it is important for a child to get plenty of carbohydrates from good sources. Baby’s Only Organic^® source of carbohydrate comes from organic brown rice syrup that requires minimal processing and offers the benefits of slower digestion and absorption of complex sugars that provide a steady supply of energy to a baby.

Organic lactose and evaporated cane juice are simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates are quickly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, increasing insulin levels. A more complex carbohydrate, such as organic brown rice syrup used in Baby’s Only Organic^® formulas, requires more time for digestion resulting in slower and steadier absorption of the carbohydrates into the blood stream and a more constant production of insulin.

Organic brown rice syrup is slightly sweeter than lactose but significantly less sweet than sucrose (table sugar) or cane sugar. The medical community has expressed concern over using cane sugar in infant formulas because it is five times sweeter than lactose and could pose health or medical issues related to obesity or dental caries. The carbohydrates in Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy Formula consist of 35% naturally occurring lactose from the organic non-fat cow’s milk and 65% organic brown rice syrup.

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Essential Fatty Acids

Earth’s Best^®, the Wal-Mart^® Parent's Choice^® Brand, and Similac^® Organic are lower in the essential fatty acid, Linoleic Acid; the Alpha-Linolenic fatty acid composition is lower or not stated on the formula labels. These precursor fats are important for the body to convert to DHA & ARA and are critical to brain and eye retina development.

As shown above, Baby's Only Organic^® Formula contain higher levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. However, Nature's One^® recognizes that some babies may not be as efficient at converting linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid and therefore Baby's Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA may be a better option than use of a product with synthetic DHA & ARA. The synthetic DHA & ARA used to supplement Earth's Best^®, Wal-Mart’s Parent's Choice^®, and Similac^® Organic infant formulas are treated with hexane solvents, acid and bleach during the manufacturing process.

It is best to compare pediatric formulas using a 100-calorie serving, which is approximately 5-ounces of formula. So over the course of a day of feedings totaling 28oz, a baby consuming Baby’s Only Organic^® would receive 1,400mg MORE linoleic acid and 380mg MORE alpha-linolenic fatty acid when compared to Earth’s Best^® infant formulas. Remember, just because a formula is organic does not necessarily insure it is nutritionally advanced. Baby’s Only Organic^® takes advantage of modern nutritional science.

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DHA & ARA Fatty Acids

Not all sources of DHA and ARA are biologically equivalent nor tolerated, absorbed and assimilated by an infant’s body equally. The human body metabolizes or uses phospholipids differently from triglycerides. Because triglycerides such as those in single cell organism oils (branded as life’sDHA™) are not soluble in water, they must be broken down and held in suspension – a process called emulsification – and require bile acids for digestion before they can be absorbed in the intestinal tract and then used by the body.

Because of their chemical structure, phospholipids have both hydrophilic (water soluble) and lipophilic (fat soluble) properties and are not reliant on bile acids for digestion. They form smaller droplets in the intestinal tract and are more easily absorbed in the intestinal tract and offer greater bioavailability. ^{1 13}

The use of egg phospholipids in infant formula has been widely studied. ^{2 - 13} A few highlights of these studies have shown the following:

• In a study with premature infants, DHA from egg phospholipid was better absorbed than DHA from single cell organism triglyceride oil. ⁷
• DHA from egg phospholipid increased red blood cell levels in infants and improved visual acuity. ¹¹
• Infants fed a formula with egg phospholipid had a lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (death of intestinal tissue). ⁶

Nature’s One selected an egg phospholipid source of DHA and ARA for Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula for its superior and documented benefits compared to life’sDHA™, which is being used today in all other formulas sold in the United States.

1. Parmentier K, Mahmoud KAS, Linder M, Fanni J. “Polar lipids: n-3 PUFA carriers for membranes and brain: nutritional interest and emerging processes,” OCL (Oleagineux Corps Gras Lipides). 2007; 14:224-229.
2. Agostoni C, Trojan S, Bellu R, et al. “Neurodevelopmental quotient of healthy term infants at 4 months and feeding practice: the role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids,” Pediatric Research. 1995; 38:262-266.
3. Agostoni C, Trojan S, Bellu R, et al. “Developmental quotient at 24 months and fatty acid composition of diet in early infancy: a follow-up study,” Archives of Diseases in Childhood. 1997; 76:421-424.
4. Amate L, Gil A, Ramirez M. “Feeding infant piglets formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as triacylglycerols or phospholipids influences the distribution of these fatty acids in plasma lipoprotein fractions,” Journal of Nutrition. 2001; 131:1250-1255.
5. Bouwstra H, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Wildeman JAL, et al. “Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have a positive effect on the quality of general movements of healthy term infants,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2003; 78:313-318.
6. Carlson SE, Montalto MB, Ponder DL, et al. “Lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in infants fed a preterm formula with egg phospholipids,” Pediatric Research. 1998; 44:491-498.
7. Carnielli VP, Luijendijk IHT, Van Goudoever JB, et al. “Feeding premature newborn infants palmitic acid in amount and stereoisomeric position similar to that of human milk: effects on fat and mineral balance,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1995; 61:1037-1042.
8. Forsyth JS, Willatts P, Agostoni C, et al. “Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infant formula and blood pressure in later childhood: follow-up of a randomized controlled trial,” British Medical Journal. 2003; 326:953-955.
9. Lopez-Pedrosa JM, Ramirez M, Torres MI, Gil A. “Dietary phospholipids rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid improve the repair of small intestine in malnourished piglets,” Journal of Nutrition. 1999; 129:1149-1155.
10. Morgan C, Davies L, Corcoran F, et al. “Fatty acid balance studies in term infants fed formula milk containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids,” Acta Paediatrica. 1998; 87:136-142.
11. Watson, RR, editor. Fatty Acids in Health Promotion and Disease Causation. Urbana, Illinois: AOCS Press, 2009: 804.
12. Wijendran V, Huang MC, Diau GY, et al. “Efficacy of dietary arachidonic acid provided as triglyceride of phospholipid as substrate for brain arachidonic acid accretion in baboon neonates,” Pediatric Research. 2002; 51:263-264.
13. Willatts P, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Wildeman JAL, et al. “Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have a positive effect on the quality of general movements of healthy term infants,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2003; 78:313-318.

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Martek life'sDHA™

In 2001, US infant formula manufacturers began adding a novel source of DHA and ARA that is manufactured by Martek Biosciences called life'sDHA™. This DHA is derived from strains of algae; the ARA is manufactured using a non-toxigenic soil fungus. In 2006, organic infant formula companies began promoting their use of this same ingredient. The following is the manufacturing process described by Martek:

“The oil is then separated from the dried biomass by hexane extraction and centrifugation and/or filtration, followed by winterization. The hexane phase undergoes additional centrifugation/filtration to remove solids then the winterized oil is heated and treated with acid. Subsequently, the oil is treated with caustic, centrifuged, bleached and deodorized.” ²

Learn more at Cornucopia Institute

1. Austed N, et al, “Growth and Development in term infants fed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: A double-masked, randomized, parallel, prospective, multivariate study,” Pediatrics, 108; 2:372-381.
2. Sam Zeller, Ph.D. - Martek Biosciences Corporation, Food & Drug Administration Agency Response Letter, GRAS Notice No. GRN 000137

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Kosher

Baby’s Only Organic^® Toddler Formula is certified Kosher by Orthodox Union. The kosher symbol, (circle U) O-U, is located on the front portion of the label. A current Kosher Certificate is available upon request.

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Vegetable Oils

Some formulas, such as Earth's Best^®, the Walmart^® Parents Choice^® brand, and Enfamil^® use palm olein oil as part of the fat blend in their formulas. Palm olein oil is made from palm oil. Unfortunately clinical studies have proven the use of palm olein oil as a predominant fat source in infant formulas causes some babies to poorly absorb calcium resulting in lower bone mineralization.^{1, 2} When palm olein oil is provided in the formula, calcium soaps (calcium in fat) are formed in the gut. These calcium soaps prevent the absorption of fat and calcium in the gut and can also result in harder stool formation or constipation.³

Almost 90% of all palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia at oil-palm plantations. This has resulted in widespread deforestation, destruction of rain forests, and putting the survival of some animals at risk. The razing by burning of tropical rain forests to make way for oil-palm plantations also results in the release of large amounts of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.⁴

Baby’s Only Organic^® Toddler Formulas contain no palm olein oil and no palm oil. Instead, Baby’s Only Organic^® formulas contain a blend of organic oils: Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil and/or Organic High Oleic Safflower Oil, Organic Soybean Oil and Organic Coconut Oil. Baby’s Only Organic^® vegetable oils are expeller-pressed, which is a squeezing process to extract the oil from the organic plants. No harsh chemicals are used to produce the vegetable oils.

1. Koo, W.W.K., et al, “Reduced bone mineralization in infants fed palm olein-containing formula: A randomized, double-blinded, prospective trial.” Pediatrics 2003; 111:1007-1023.
2. Kennedy, K. et al, “Double-blinded, randomized trial of a synthetic triacylglycerol in formula-fed term infants: Effects on stool biochemistry, stool characteristics, and bone mineralization.” Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 70:920-927.
3. Nelson, S.E. et al, “Absorption of fat and calcium by infants fed a milk-based formula containing palm olein.” J Am Coll Nutr 17: 327-332.
4. Brown, Ellie and Jacobson, Michael F. Cruel Oil. Washington, D.C.: Center for Science in the Public Interest, May, 2005.

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Ingredients

Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Nonfat Milk, Organic High Oleic Sunflower and/or Organic High Oleic Safflower Oil, Organic Soybean Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Egg Lecithin (Source of DHA & ARA), Organic Vanilla, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Ascorbate (Vit. C), Organic Soy Lecithin, Calcium Citrate, Choline Bitartrate, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, Inositol, Vitamin C Palmitate, Natural Vitamin E Acetate, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vit. B1), Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin (Vit. B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6), Folic Acid, Phylloquinone (Vit. K1), Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Biotin, Vitamin D3, Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12).

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Allergen Information

Contains milk, soy, and coconut ingredients

Tested egg allergen free.

Contains no wheat or wheat gluten, no Martek's DHA & ARA fatty acids, no palm olein oil, no corn syrup, no sucrose, and no peanut.

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Egg Allergy

Allergies to certain foods are caused by the body’s reaction to the protein component of a food. The DHA and ARA in Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula are sourced from egg yolk phospholipids, the fat component of the egg yolk. As an extra precaution, this product is tested egg allergen free by a third party laboratory. Most often an egg allergy is caused by the egg white, the major protein portion of an egg, rather than the yolk. Due to the fact that only the fat or phospholipids (not protein) portion of the egg yolk is used and also because of the high quality and purity of the egg lecithin used, this product is free of egg allergen. If a child has a history of food allergies, consultation with the child’s healthcare provider is always recommended before use of any new food including Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula.

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Organic Ingredients

Numerous research studies have documented the nutritional superiority of organic foods.¹ including a recent study from the United Kingdom that reported on the benefits of consuming organic foods.² Of particular interest is the finding that organic milk can contain up to 60% more antioxidants than found in conventionally produced milk. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E are molecules that help to prevent damage to the body’s cells. We can anticipate many more studies and scientific reports being published soon that further document the benefits of organic eating. It is reasonable to believe that future studies will support theories that the human body must work harder to rid itself of chemicals and hormones used in conventional farming and food manufacturing.

Parents should be aware that there is growing confusion between the terms “natural” and “organic.” Don’t be fooled by the term “natural” when reading food labels. A “natural” or “all natural” product is not an organic product that meets rigorous standards and certification..³ The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) presently defines “natural” rules for only the meat and poultry industry..⁴ No other foods are covered and, in fact, other food manufacturers can create their own definition of “natural” for the foods they produce.

Consumers may also be under the false impression that “natural” foods are “greener” than their organic counterparts. For example, “natural” milk may come from dairy herds where hormones are not used. However, these cows are usually fed in factory farm feedlots rather than roam on chemical-free pastures as required for organic dairy farms. With more large corporations looking to the “heath food” industry as an avenue to increase profits, parents need to become better informed shoppers.

1. Benbrook, C, et al. New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Foods. Boulder, CO: The Organic Center, 2008.
2. Butler, G, et al. “Fatty acid and fat-soluble antioxidant concentrations in milk from high- and low-input conventional and organic systems: seasonal variation,” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2008; 88(8): 1431-1441.
3. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml Sourced July 13, 2009.
4. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Meat_&_Poultry_Labeling_Terms/index.asp Sourced July 13, 2009 .

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% Whey & Casein

Baby's Only Organic^® dairy formula contains naturally occurring casein and whey proteins. Our organic non-fat milk consists of 18% whey and 82% casein.

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Taurine, Selenium & Iron

Baby's Only Organic^® formulas do contain taurine, selenium and iron, similar to conventional formulas.

Taurine, an amino acid normally present in breast milk, has been shown to play a role in retinal development, among others. Cow and soy milks do not contain adequate amounts of the amino acid.

Selenium is a mineral important for proper formation of red blood cells, development of skeletal muscle and proper growth. Selenium, too, is normally present in breast milk, but lacking in cow and soy milks. Baby's Only Organic^® contains added taurine and selenium.

Iron is added at the level recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Inappropriate dietary iron could result in anemia, weakness, muscle fatigue, abnormal gastrointestinal motility, and a reduction of cognitive ability. This reduction in cognition has been shown to be irreversible, even once a normal iron level is retained.

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Nucleotides

Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy Formula contains naturally occurring nucleotides found in organic dairy protein. Nature’s One^® believes this is adequate to meet the growth and development needs of children. These organic nucleotides are not declared on Baby’s Only Organic’s label because it is not an ingredient addition - instead they occur naturally as mentioned.

Nutritional science and the medical community have not determined if there are any added benefits for added nucleotides - especially since all are synthetically derived. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition weighs-in on this subject as well commenting that “...additional studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action, confirm clinical endpoints, and monitor the long-term effects of adding nucleotides to infant formula.” ¹

Most importantly, nucleotides added to conventional and organic infant formulas are derived by synthetic, non-organic methods. There are presently no organic or natural sources for nucleotides. We are therefore concerned about the harmful effects of the chemicals used to process nucleotides and the synthetic source of nucleotides; especially since the benefits of their addition have not been clearly demonstrated.

1. Reference: Committee on Nutrition, Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 6th edition, American Academy of Pediatrics, pg 810.

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Lipids (Fats)

There is so much in the media about good fats, bad fats, essential fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol and differences in fats. It is hard for a person to know how to distinguish between fats and what is the most healthful to consume, especially for infants and young children. Here is a brief review of the types of fats to assist in understanding fats and their role in nutrition for infants and young children.

Fats are also called lipids and some are referred to as fatty acids, cholesterol, triglycerides or phospholipids depending on their chemical structure.

The basic chemical structure of a fat is a carbon chain to which oxygen is attached at one end of the chain and hydrogen is attached along the chain. Fats are classified as saturated or unsaturated depending upon whether the carbon chain is filled or saturated with hydrogen bonds or not filled (unsaturated) with hydrogen bonds. Solid forms of fat such as lard and butter are high in saturated fats. Liquid forms of fat such as vegetable oils, fluid at room temperature, are high in unsaturated fats.

Unsaturated fats can be further classified as monounsaturated meaning there is only one area on the carbon chain not filled with hydrogen or polyunsaturated meaning more than one area on the carbon chain is not filled with hydrogen. Polyunsaturated fatty acids can also be short, medium, or long chain depending upon the length of the carbon chain. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (also called LCPUFAs), such as DHA and ARA, have been receiving increased attention in maternal and child nutrition.

An unsaturated fatty acid can be further classified by where the first hydrogen bond is located on the carbon chain such as an omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid. The beginning of the carbon chain on which oxygen is attached is called the alpha end. The end of the carbon chain is called the omega end. For an omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid, the third carbon from the omega end of the carbon chain is not filled or bonded to hydrogen. For an omega-6 fatty acid, this occurs at the sixth carbon position.

Unsaturated fatty acids can also be classified by how the body uses or makes them. Unsaturated fatty acids can be essential or non-essential. Essential fatty acids cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from the diet. There are two essential fatty acids, linolenic fatty acid (an omega-3) and linoleic (an omega-6), both being required in an infant formula. The body has the capability of making non-essential fatty acids. The two non-essential fatty acids of more recent interest in infant and child nutrition are DHA made from linolenic fatty acid and ARA made from linoleic acid.

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Triglycerides

A triglyceride, also known as a triacylglycerol, is a type of fat and consists of one glycerol molecule to which 3 fatty acids are attached. Triglycerides are found in animal fats and plant oils and are not soluble in water. Triglycerides are digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Because they are not soluble in water, bile salts are required for their digestion.

The DHA and ARA that comes from single cell organism oils derived from algae and fungus are fatty acids on the triglyceride molecule. These are the ingredient sources of DHA and ARA used to supplement all infant formulas, except for Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula. Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula and Baby’s Only Essentials^® DHA & ARA Fatty Acid Supplement contain DHA and ARA derived from phospholipids instead of triglycerides.

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Phospholipids

Phospholipids have a structure like triglycerides but contain a phosphate group in place of the third fatty acid. Phospholipids are found in foods; good sources include egg yolks and soybeans. Because of the phosphate group, a phospholipid is capable of dissolving in water molecules and is therefore soluble in water. Unlike triglycerides, bile acids are not required for their digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Phospholipids are important structural components of human cell membranes. Phospholipids are to human cells what cellulose and lignin are to plants. They help to form the structure of the cell. All human cells contain a double layer of phospholipids. Also, when molecules such as proteins move across the cell membrane, phospholipids help their entrance. Therefore, phospholipids affect cell membrane flexibility, transfer of nutrients across the cell membrane, and help cells communicate with each other.

The egg phospholipids contain DHA and ARA as the fatty acids on the phospholipid molecule. Nature’s One^® uses egg phospholipids in its Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula and Baby’s Only Essentials^® DHA & ARA Fatty Acid Supplement.

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Cholesterol

Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it is used to form cell membranes, some hormones and is needed for other body functions. The main concern with intake of cholesterol is that a high level of cholesterol in the blood — hypercholesterolemia — is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attacks.

However, breast milk contains good amounts of cholesterol. ¹ There is some scientific thinking that cholesterol in breast milk may be nature’s way of helping an infant’s body learn to deal with cholesterol intake later in life and may have a protective cardiovascular effect. Research is being done in the area of cholesterol intake during infancy and early childhood and potential health benefits later in life. This research is also investigating whether cholesterol should be added to standard infant formulas.

Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula contains 2 milligrams of cholesterol per 100 Calories (a 5 ounce serving). The cholesterol comes from the egg yolk phospholipid used as the source of DHA and ARA. The total cholesterol content of the diet will depend on what other foods infants consume as part of their daily diet once complementary foods are added to the daily meal plan. For comparison purposes, one large chicken egg contains approximately 215 milligrams of cholesterol.

1. Demmers TA, Jones PJH, Wang Y, et al, “Effects of early cholesterol intake on cholesterol biosynthesis and plasma lipids among infants until 18 months of age,” Pediatrics, 2005; 115: 1594-1601.

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Egg Lecithin

Lecithin was first discovered in egg yolk in 1846 by the French scientist Maurice Gobley. He named it “lekithos” which is Greek for “egg yolk”. ¹ Lecithin is a phospholipid and a major component of human cell membranes. It is not an essential nutrient because the body can make lecithin as well as absorb it from the foods we eat. In food manufacturing, lecithin is used as an emulsifier, an ingredient that helps to blend other ingredients in a mixture and prevents them, especially fats and oils, from separating out of a mixture. An example of an emulsifier is egg yolk used in mayonnaise where the egg yolk stabilizes the other ingredients to prevent separation.

Since the 1930’s, soy oil has become the major and less expensive source of lecithin used in food manufacturing. However, lecithin from egg yolk and lecithin from soy oil are different in chemical structure. Although both are phospholipids, egg yolk lecithin contains DHA and ARA whereas soy oil lecithin does not. Use of egg lecithin in Baby’s Only Organic^® Dairy with DHA & ARA Formula offers the advantage of a safe, natural, and organic complaint source of DHA and ARA plus the added bonus of being an emulsifier to ensure good fat dispersion throughout the powdered formula.

1. Sourced July 31, 2011 from: http://www.lecithinguide.info/structure-of-lecithin.html

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GRAS

The DHA and ARA used in Baby’s Only Organic^® is generally regarded as safe (GRAS). This organic compliant source of DHA and ARA are derived from egg yolk, and are considered GRAS. The hens are fed a vegetarian, non-GMO diet that is chemical-free and antibiotic-free.

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