MANILA, Philippines - Cases of long-term health problems like obesity, cardiovascular ailments, and insulin resistance have been increasing year after year.
These have prompted medical professionals to look beyond medical treatments and seek effective preventive measures.
Infant nutrition, particularly protein intake during the early stages of infancy, has been identified in strengthening to weakening a person’s long-term health.
Controlled random examinations in preterm and term infants cited by the research paper, “Early origins of cardiovascular disease. Is there a unifying hypothesis?” by Lucas Singhal, proved that “early nutrition has a major impact on long-term health, including cognitive function, bone health, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”
Dr. Atul Singhal, a professor of Pediatric Nutrition and deputy director of the University College London, explained in a forum that the long-term growth and development of infants depended not just on the quantity of nourishment they receive but on the quality as well.
He also heads the Clinical Trials and Cardiovascular Nutrition group at the MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Center’s Institute of Child Health at University College London, which researched on “The Importance of Protein for Long-term Health.”
Although a high protein intake may improve and accelerate young infants’ growth, parents should focus on the quality of protein they feed their babies.
“While a higher protein intake has short-term advantages for growth, adverse programming by high protein intake and faster growth suggest that the optimum nutrition of infants is more complex than simply ‘more is better,”’ said Singhal.
Alpha protein or a-lactalbumin is beneficial to the overall health of infants. Unlike other whey-based proteins, alpha protein is easily digested by babies and lessens the possibility of vomiting, spitting up, or food intolerance of babies.
This important protein helps improve the kidney function of babies and the absorption of essential minerals like zinc.
Alpha protein also enhances babies’ sleep patterns and appetites. It contains helpful amino acids with tryptophan, which also enhance the disposition or mood of children.
Children who are given alpha protein are healthier and stand to have more enduring health benefits.
To find out more about alpha protein and what in can do for your baby, ask a trusted pediatrician.