Nutritional programming in early life: the role of dietary lipid quality for future health

Abstract

Worldwide, overweight and obesity have increased dramatically, not only in high income countries. Clearly, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyle are important drivers of the increased obesity rates, but increasing evidence indicates that the vulnerability for later life non-communicable diseases is set during the first 1000 days, the period from conception until 2 years of age. The growth during this period is faster than during any other period in life. Dietary fats provide energy for growth, but also supply essential fatty acid (FA) precursors for long chain polyunsaturated FA that are building blocks and signals for adipose tissue development. Both epidemiological and experimental data support the notion that specific improvements in dietary fat quality, e.g. specific changes in the fatty acid composition as well as the structural organization of dietary lipids, may reduce the risk of obesity and other adverse outcomes in later life, but clinical evidence is limited and largely inconclusive. We anticipate that effects of such relatively small improvements in nutrient quality may be difficult to measure on the short term and have limited impact in healthy children. However, for children that already experience challenging conditions in the womb and have a higher risk profile based on deviations in birthweight and postnatal growth, the potential protective effects of improved dietary lipid quality in early life could be more substantial. Results from randomized clinical studies testing improved lipid quality concepts will help to develop specific strategies to adapt infant nutrition based on the need with the aim to improve long term outcomes.Keywords: LA-ALA ratio / fatty acid composition / dietary fat structure / metabolic programming / obesity risk ☆ Contribution to the Topical Issue "Lipids and health / Lipides et santé".

Beyond ingredients: Supramolecular structure of lipid droplets in infant formula affects metabolic and brain function in mouse models

“…The precise mechanisms by which the supramolecular structure of dietary lipid droplets influences (later life) body composition, metabolic health and neurocognitive function remain to be elucidated, but there are indications from several studies that lipid structure impacts absorption and digestion kinetics, resulting in a different appearance of lipids and (postprandial) hormones in the bloodstream after ingestion [ 33 , 72 , 73 ]. Such different bioavailability of lipids may alter their metabolic fate; this is hypothesized to program adipocyte energy metabolism towards reduced lipid storage in white adipose tissue [ 74 ]. Moreover, any differences in bioavailability of lipids and circulating hormones to the developing brain is hypothesized to affect brain development and neurocognitive function.…”

Beyond ingredients: Supramolecular structure of lipid droplets in infant formula affects metabolic and brain function in mouse models

“…The precise mechanisms by which the supramolecular structure of dietary lipid droplets influences (later life) body composition, metabolic health and neurocognitive function remain to be elucidated, but there are indications from several studies that lipid structure impacts absorption and digestion kinetics, resulting in a different appearance of lipids and (postprandial) hormones in the bloodstream after ingestion (33, 66, 67). Such different bioavailability of lipids may alter their metabolic fate; this is hypothesized to program adipocyte energy metabolism towards reduced lipid storage in white adipose tissue (68). Moreover, any differences in bioavailability of lipids and circulating hormones to the developing brain is hypothesized to affect brain development and neurocognitive function.…”

Mothers’ knowledge of nutritional programming influences DHA intake in children – analysis of nutrition of children aged 13-36 months in Poland

“…Fats should make up 40-60% of the total energy requirement for infants and 35-40% for children between 1 and 3 years of age. The recommended daily intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is 100-250 mg [16,17,32,33]. Carbohydrates should supply about 40-45% of the total energy requirement for children aged 0-6 months, and later -45-55% [16,17].Iron, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin D, and selenium profoundly affect children's development.…”