Palm olein in infant formula and mineral balance
What it found
In 33 healthy term infants, a formula with palm olein, palm kernel and canola oils led to lower calcium retention and fat absorption than a formula without these oils.
Stools were also firmer with the palm olein formula.
What they found
Studies in people
Calcium absorption
Calcium absorption was higher in infants fed the NoPALM formula (58.8%) than in those fed the PALM formula (42.1%). When calcium intake was taken into account, the difference was no longer significant.
Calcium retention
Calcium retention was higher in infants fed the NoPALM formula compared to the PALM formula, and this difference remained even after adjusting for calcium intake.
Fat absorption
Fat absorption was greater in the NoPALM group (96.9%) than in the PALM group (95.1%) during the first study period.
Stool consistency
Stools were softer in infants fed the NoPALM formula compared to the PALM formula during the metabolic phase. Stools were also less frequent with the NoPALM formula.
Gastrointestinal tolerance
Spit-up, vomiting, fussiness and gassiness were not different between the two formula groups. Both formulas were well accepted by the infants.
Growth
Weight, length and head circumference gains were not different between the two formula groups over the study period.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, results of this study suggest that differences in fat blends used in infant formulas may affect calcium and fat metabolic balance, and GI stool tolerance in term infants.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that differences in fat blends used in infant formulas may affect calcium and fat metabolic balance, and gastrointestinal stool tolerance in term infants.
- They note that the NoPALM formula demonstrated significantly higher calcium retention and fat absorption, and softer stool consistency, compared to the PALM formula.
- They state that both formulas showed comparable normal gastrointestinal tolerance and acceptability.
How it was done
Palm olein is added to most infant formulas to mimic the palmitic acid in human milk, but earlier studies found that fat and calcium are less well absorbed from formulas where palm olein is the main fat. The authors wanted to test a powdered formula with palm olein, palm kernel and canola oils, which had not been studied together before.
They studied 33 healthy term infants aged 68 to 159 days in a day care center in Salvador, Brazil. In a randomized, double-blinded, 14-day crossover trial, infants received either a formula with palm olein, palm kernel and canola oils (PALM) or one without these oils (NoPALM). Seventeen of the male infants also spent 4 days in a hospital metabolic ward for a balance study.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a randomized trial, so it can show cause and effect for the outcomes measured during the study period.
- The study cannot show what happens over a longer time or whether the differences in calcium and fat absorption affect growth or bone health later in life.
- The results apply to healthy term infants in Brazil and may not be the same for other groups.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Abbott Laboratories, USA
The paper
- Title
- Calcium and fat metabolic balance, and gastrointestinal tolerance in term infants fed milk-based formulas with and without palm olein and palm kernel oils: a randomized blinded crossover study
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Leite ME, Lasekan J, Baggs G, et al (2013). Calcium and fat metabolic balance, and gastrointestinal tolerance in term infants fed milk-based formulas with and without palm olein and palm kernel oils: a randomized blinded crossover study. BMC pediatrics. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-13-215Free full textPubMed 24367946DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error