Childhood Obesity starts with Formulas?
Childhood obesity is multi-factorial but can it actually start with the first bottle of formula?
One ingredient to avoid on food labels is high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup. Many infant formulas list this ingredient as second or third. Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF, gave an elaborate lecture on you-tube regarding the consequences of sugar and high fructose corn syrup. He blew the whistle on the obesity epidemic starting with corn syrup in infant formulas.
Many women are unable to breastfeed for multiple reasons. A few years ago some of my female clients turned to me for help in selecting an appropriate formula. After spending many hours online and in the store I only found one or two formulas that came close to something I would recommend.
Besides corn syrup in cow-based formulas there even more issues with soy formulas since they are made with soy protein isolate (SPI). To make SPI, manufactures take soybeans that are about 90 percent genetically modified, and mix them with a solution to remove the fiber. This fiber-less soybean is then dried at high temperatures which denature the quality of the protein. In addition, soy acts like a pseudo-estrogen in the body and it is estimated that an infant fed soy formula receives the amount of estrogen per day in at least 5 birth control pills – not such a great start to life.
Formula makers are now supplementing with the important omega-3 fats DHA and EPA to help the baby’s brain development. However, the sources of these essential fats can be poor or contain inadequate amounts.
It might be time to demand infant formula makers to make a change. Women receive cases of these formulas free in the hospital to encourage usage, unknowingly feeding their babies something which could influence their future health. It’s time we started preventing obesity from the beginning – rather than prescriptions later.
January 3, 2011 @ 10:58 pm
I agree that the way we feed our children begins at the beginning! Just like all brands of food, there is some baby formula brands that are healthy and organic, and some that are full of sugar and other additives. As parents we must take the responsibility of our children seriously, because if they are unhealthy due to eating poorly it is on our shoulders. Thank you for taking time to bring attention to this issue!
Cheers,
Jacob
http://www.streetarticles.com/health-and-fitness/causes-of-childhood-obesity
March 10, 2013 @ 4:03 am
I'm curious, what are the baby formulas you would recommend?
March 11, 2013 @ 3:38 am
I think Earth's Best Organic Infant formula with iron is a good one