Establishing MFGM efficacy: NZMP scientist highlights its potential for infant brain health

28 Jun 2019 --- Currently, standard infant formula lacks milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which is essential to providing a composition similar to breast milk – the gold standard of nutrition for infants. At this month's ESPGHAN Congress 2019, NZMP’s Senior Research Scientist James Dekker presented its new abstract which focuses on MFGM composition in human milks and bovine milk ingredients, and MFGM proteins in infant formula. He speaks to NutritionInsight on how the business has set its sights on establishing MFGM’s efficacy for infant nutrition, particularly in relation to cognitive development and function.

Health and well-being are, of course, optimal to all age groups, but it is arguably most vital to vulnerable groups such as babies and toddlers. The market of formula products that not only aim to fill babies' bellies but add extra health benefits is growing and in demand. According to Innova Market Insights data, infant nutrition launches continue to grow, noting a 13 percent average annual growth between 2014-2018. This increase in launches is reportedly driven by rising demand, attributed to a growing number of women entering the workforce, as well as calls for clean labels that are also allergy-free or pack an extra health punch.

Cognition, and within this brain health, has become an increasingly prominent health concern among consumers of all ages – and the industry has taken notice. Innova Market Insights reports that brain health claims are on the rise, with more than twice as many products (excluding infant nutrition) featuring a brain health claim in 2017, than in 2013. Emerging science is highlighting the importance of the gut-brain axis, which underscores a symbiotic link between the body’s microbiota and overall mental wellbeing.NZMP’s Senior Research Scientist James Dekker. 

NZMP, Fonterra’s brand of dairy ingredients and solutions, has two main Lipid ingredients; MFGM Lipid 100 and MFGM Lipid 70. The MFGM is a trilayer of phospholipids, glycolipids, cholesterol and membrane proteins surrounding the triglyceride droplets in all mammalian milks. Traditionally MFGM was isolated by churning chilled cream into butter; the resulting aqueous phase, named buttermilk, contains broken MFGM fragments, explains the company in a white-paper entitled, “SureStart MFGM Lipid: Milk Fat Globule Membrane ingredients and brain developments,” published in 2019.

Dekker explains that NZMP’s approach to MFGM is twofold. “First, we want to make formula closer to breast milk by providing it with something that it hasn’t had, so far. Second, we want to demonstrate why it should be there. It should become a standard ingredient, but we have to catch up on the science side. Saying that it is in breast milk is not enough of a justification to put it in formula. You have to show why you need it there.”

In this vein, last year, the company received some preliminary results around a Chinese study which found that infants consuming MFGM infant formula showed cognitive improvements and development. In particular, the supplementation of MFGM in healthy infants in the first 12 months of life showed statistically significant improvements in cognitive development and improved general adaptive behavior scores based on the development of a combination of functions such as social and motor skills, self-direction, communication and self-care. Such studies are paramount in the path to MFGM becoming a standard ingredient.

“We are now embarking on a second study to confirm this [the findings from the Chinese study]. We need two clinical trials showing the same thing to take it to regulatory authorities to say it should be in formula. We have safety and now we are building the efficacy to justify its use in formula,” he says.

Dekker explains that the company’s end goal is for the ingredient becoming intrinsically biologically relevant, in the sense that it could be referred to as an ingredient that has cognitive benefits – but regulatory approval is needed for this step, as well as solid scientific backing. 

A positive side note flagged by Dekker is that awareness of MFGM is increasing. “One aspect [of rising awareness] is that MFGM is a component that will allow infant formula to move toward breast milk. Also, when we say ‘cognitive element,’ it does not just denote intelligence. It’s not just making a ‘smarter baby,’ it can go further as it can help with social engagement and the whole development of the person,” he explains.

“This does resonate with parents as they want to see their child grow emotionally and socially as well as intellectually.”According to Innova Market Insights data, infant nutrition launches continue to grow, noting a 13 percent average annual growth between 2014-2018.

Tapping into the gut-brain axis
Of course, the fact that the ingredient proves cognitive development is a link between the gut and brain. However, Dekker elaborates on this, noting that, “we know it’s not as straightforward as the ingredient appearing in the brain. It appears to be something more complicated going on.”

NZMP is part of the Smarter Lives initiatives, a five-year research program that investigates how nutrition impacts the gut-brain axis. Smarter Lives is funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and led by New Zealand research institute, AgResearch.

Regarding brain development, products that utilize the gut-brain axis are tapping into a vast network of neurons – the enteric nervous system – that line the gut. Research suggests that a direct line of two way communication exists between the brain and the enteric nervous system. This may mean that influences on the gut and its functions, such as diet, could impact signals sent to the brain.

“We know the first years of a child’s life are a sensitive period during which the child’s brain is most receptive to the effects of nutrition and its environment. Both are vital for the optimal development of the brain,” Dekker says.

“The Smarter Lives research program will build on existing research and unlock how we can influence the two-way communication between the gut and the brain to help to optimize cognitive development in formula-fed infants.”

Looking forward, the NZMP team is also investigating spaces beyond cognition and the brain. Immune health is a space that holds potential and warrants further research, as well as further understanding the technicalities around what it is about MFGM that makes it so effective as a structure providing nutrition to the infant.

“MFGM hadn’t really been studied until about a decade ago. So it’s really exciting having been involved in such cutting-edge science and bringing that to consumers,” concludes Dekker.

By Laxmi Haigh