Fat is an essential nutrient during infancy, providing nearly half of an infant's daily energy requirements while supporting brain development, healthy growth, and nutrient absorption. Beyond the amount of fat, its molecular structure also influences how efficiently infants digest and absorb nutrients.
One of the most important fat structures found naturally in human milk is β-palmitate, also known as sn-2 palmitate or OPO fat. Clinical research has shown that infant formulas containing higher levels of β-palmitate may support softer stools, improved fat and calcium absorption, digestive comfort, and the development of a healthy gut microbiota.
Palmitic acid is a main saturated fat found in breast milk. When palmitic acid is bound in the middle or beta position of the glycerol backbone, it is called β-Palmitate or OPO fat. About 60% of the palmitic acid in human milk bonds to this beta-position and is β-palmitic acid. Standard infant formulas typically contain much less β-palmitate, which affects how well infants digest fat and absorb important nutrients.
Calcium is a critical mineral during infancy, a period marked by rapid skeletal growth and bone mineralization. In the gastrointestinal tract, β-palmitic acid is not hydrolyzed into free palmitic acid and therefore does not form insoluble calcium soaps, meaning that both calcium and fatty acids can be better absorbed. 1,2 This better calcium and fatty acid absorption can reduce infant discomfort. If the palmitic acid is not bound in the beta position, it can be hydrolyzed into free palmitic acid which can form insoluble calcium soaps, resulting in hard stools.
A recent double-blind study involving 300 healthy term infants showed that a high content of β-Palmitate in infant formula resulted in higher faecal bifidobacteria concentrations and improved stool consistency, similar to human milk-fed infants.3 Two randomized double-blind studies showed that an infant formula with β-Palmitate reduced crying time and improved infant sleep. These studies concluded that β-Palmitate improved the well-being of formula-fed infants and consequently the quality of life of their parents.4-6
Moreover, β-Palmitate/ OPO Fat has been reported to have a positive influence on the development of the gut microbiota, because calcium soaps limit the growth of important beneficial bacteria in early life stages.7 Clinical research published by Ausnutria In collaboration with University Medical Center Groningen, investigated the negative effects of calcium soaps on the gut microbiota.8
All the details about this study can be found in the paper below.
Kabrita formula contains a fat blend rich in β-Palmitate, resembling the fatty acid profile of human milk more closely. The β-Palmitate in Kabrita infant formula is proven to offer comfort to infants, with benefits such as reduced crying time, prevention of hard stools and a well-balanced gut microbiota.
Learn how goat milk fat, β-palmitate, DHA, and ARA work together to support digestive comfort and infant nutrition.