Events
Watch on Demand: Cognitive Development with MFGM Lipids
Discover how to unlock the potential of SureStart™ MFGM Lipids
30 Sep 2021
4 min
There is a growing interest in brain development and cognition in infants and children, particularly in the first few years. Our consumer research has shown this interest isn’t just about improving ‘intelligence’; parents also want a more well-rounded child to prepare them for life.
Watch this broadcast to learn more about MFGM Lipids, and the growing opportunity to innovate in infant nutrition.
In this free broadcast, you will:
- Learn how the MFGM can influence neurodevelopment and support cognition
- Discover how to innovate using our science-backed SureStart™ MFGM Lipid ingredients to create infant formula that may support cognitive development
- Leverage our patents to strengthen brand preference and loyalty.
Don’t have time to watch the recording? Take 2 minutes to read our summary notes:
The MFGM and early life nutrition
Breastfeeding gives babies the best start in life, offering protection against infections, encouraging optimal growth and cognitive development.
A key component of breast milk is the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM). It is made up of hundreds of phospholipids, glycolipids such as gangliosides, and proteins, that may perform a myriad of functions including to support optimal cognitive development.
Infant brain growth and development
Brain growth is rapid in the first few years of life with nutrition playing an important role in cognitive development. The most studied area for the role of MFGM and its components in infant development is brain function and cognition.
Closing the gap with infant formula
As most infant formulas contain vegetable oils, the levels of key MFGM components are lower in infant formula than in breast milk. Adding MFGM-enriched ingredients from cow’s milk will increase phospholipids and gangliosides to bring the composition closer to breast milk, the gold standard for infant nutrition.
Studies show benefits of MFGM
Even though MFGM helps us move closer to the composition of breast milk, it is important to understand if this delivers any benefits for the formula fed infant.
Many research studies have compared standard infant formula with MFGM-supplemented formula. These report promising benefits from MFGM supplementation including effects on cognition, memory, attention and behaviour. It is also associated with strengthening the immune system and gut barrier function.
Introducing SureStart™ MFGM Lipids
Our SureStart™ MFGM Lipids, rich sources of MFGM components, are backed by science and patent protected for cognition. SureStart™ MFGM Lipid 100 (derived from cream) and SureStart™ MFGM Lipid 70 (derived from whey), enable you to create infant formula that may support cognition.
Safe and suitable for paediatric nutrition, MFGM Lipids are based on Fonterra’s 90 years of dairy expertise.
Meeting consumer demand
Parents are anxious to make the right choice around infant formula, with brain development and cognition one of the most important purchase drivers – the leading motivator for 38% of Chinese parents. A recent study in China suggested relatively high awareness of the benefits of MFGM among 45% of parents.
Innovate in paediatric nutrition
There have been few opportunities to be truly innovative in paediatric nutrition for cognition in recent decades.
SureStart™ MFGM Lipids enable you to create products that may deliver benefits that are highly sought after by parents, strengthening brand preference and loyalty. They are backed by science which has been shown to support brain development and cognition, offering differentiation in the infant formula market.
Hear from our panel of experts
Sandra Einerhand PhD
Nutrition Consultant | Einerhand Science and Innovation
Sandra is the Founder of Einerhand Science and Innovation, a nutrition and health consultancy providing tailored solutions for infant formula. Sandra is also the co-founder and partner of the Nutrition Consultants Cooperative in the Netherlands and an active Fellow of Presans, a Parisian open innovation service provider. She has worked as Scientific Program Director for the Early Life Nutrition division of Danone Nutricia and as Nutrition and Health Director for Tate & Lyle Ingredients and Lipid Nutrition.
Alastair MacGibbon PhD
Principal Research Scientist | Specialty and Paediatric Ingredients, Fonterra R&D Centre
Alastair has worked at Fonterra’s Research and Development (R&D) Centre for over 35 years. Currently, he is a Principal Research Scientist for Specialty and Paediatric Ingredients and holds a Distinguished Scientist award. He has been working in MFGM Lipids for several years, creating analytical methods, characterising the membrane itself and looking at the physiological impacts of MFGM. He has published numerous publications on MFGM Lipids. Alastair is a Fellow and past President of the NZ Institute of Chemistry.
Angela Rowan
Marketing and Business Development Manager | NZMP Paediatric Nutrition
Angela has worked in nutrition at Fonterra for 30 years. Currently Marketing and Business Development Manager in Fonterra’s NZMP Paediatric ingredients division, responsible for product innovation in MFGM Lipids. Previous roles include GM Nutrition and Health Platform Manager in consumer maternal and paediatric nutrition. Angela is a registered nutritionist, and past President of the NZ Nutrition Society.
Lucile Tercinier PhD
Key Account Manager Nutritionals | Fonterra Europe
Dr Lucile Tercinier joined Fonterra as a PhD student in 2011. Initially starting her career as Research Technologist at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Lucile moved into sales roles in South East Asia and more recently Europe to manage customers in the paediatrics and nutritional categories. In her new role, she provides customers with valuable advice on developing new products and supports them through the development process.
