Phospholipid-bound LCPs
– a part of the magic in human milk
AAK’s solution Akonino® ELIP mimics the golden standard of human milk while
meeting new requirements in the upcoming EU regulations for infant formula. The
secret behind the solution: egg yolk.
The dry matter of the brain is made up of 60 percent fat,
and the important omega-3 fatty acids are found in all
brain and nerve structures. 97 percent of these long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) in the brain are DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid), and all are bound in phospholipid
(PL) form, resulting in so called PL-bound LCPs.
AAK’s ELIP range – natural and unique PL package
PL-bound DHA
Closer to human milk, 10–20% of DHA is PL-DHA
Essential for brain development
All DHA in the brain is bound to PL
More efficient absorption and reach to brain
DHA
COOH
PL-bound ARA
Closer to human milk, 10–20% of ARA is PL-ARA
Advice ARA>DHA, like in ELIP 30
OH
O
+
ARA
PL-bound choline
Closer to human milk
Essential for infant development
Natural form and more bio-efficient than salts
Optimal source of natural choline
H
H
+
CH
OH
N
C
C
3
3
3
+
Choline
20% of phospholipids (PL) are directly absorbed in vivo without digestion
The benefits of AAK’s Akonino® ELIP range.
Current research is recognizing that the DHA amount
available during infancy and childhood are correlated to
brain function/cognition. Coming into force in 2020, EU has
updated infant regulation 2016/127, with a mandatory and
increased DHA level.
Egg yolk – a natural source for PL-bound components
In human milk, 10–20 percent of the total LCPs – the
omega-3 DHA and the omega-6 ARA (arachidonic acid),
respectively – is bound in a phospholipid. One of few
possible natural sources for these PL-bound LCPs, which
can be used to mimic mother’s milk, is the egg yolk.
“AAK’s solution Akonino® ELIP offers an active lipid
mixture of PL-bound LCPs, gently retrieved from egg yolk”,
says Lotte Smolders, Nutritional Science Expert within AAK’s
Special Nutrition segment. “A proper balance of DHA and
ARA is needed for optimal cognitive performance in infants,
as too much DHA may suppress the benefits from ARA. This
balance is provided by our Akonino® ELIP.”
There are different types of phospholipids, and in human
milk about one third of the phospholipids carry the nutrient
choline. Choline is needed for normal development of
infants, as they cannot produce choline themselves. Infant
formulas contain a wide range of choline concentrations, of
which some are very low and should be considered when
formulating.
“75 percent of the phospholipids in our solution carries
choline, perfect for sourcing this essential nutrient”, says
Lotte Smolders. “Akonino® ELIP includes DHA, ARA as well
as choline, originating from natural egg yolk.”
Higher bioavailability
Enhancing the bioavailability of vital components such as
DHA and ARA in infant formula is key. It has clinically been
shown (Carnielli, V.P. et al.) that, in infant formula, DHA
bound to phospholipids has higher bioavailability than the
DHA bound to triglycerides.
Recent studies* verify that the digestion and reach into
tissue, including crossing of the DHA through the bloodbrain
barrier, is more efficient as PL-DHA than the DHA in
triglyceride form. Similarly, higher levels of ARA (Wijendran
V., et al.) and choline (Hirsch, M.J., et al.) is found in tissue
when bound to phospholipids.
“I expect there is a reason why human
milk during evolution has been
designed to provide parts of these
overly important fatty acids in
PL-bound form”, says Lotte
Smolders.
*Liu, L., et al., Higher efficacy of dietary DHA provided as a phospholipid than as a triglyceride
for brain DHA accretion in neonatal piglets, and Subbaiah, P.V., et al., Enhanced incorporation
of dietary DHA into lymph phospholipids by altering its molecular carrier.