AGEs in Infant Formulas: Chemical and Physiological Aspects

Infant formula is a product based on milk from cows or other animals or a mixture of these and/or other ingredients, which were proven to be suitable for infant feeding. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) absorbed from the infant formula become part of the body AGE pool. Bovine milk is the basis for most infant formulas. It contains higher levels of fat, minerals, and protein compared to human milk, so it is skimmed and diluted to be as close as possible to breast milk composition. Specific hypoallergenic infant formulas are generated via enzymatic hydrolysis and heat-denaturation of the intact proteins for infants who have milk proteins hypersensitivity. In addition, for infants developing lactose intolerance symptoms, specific Infant formula without lactose are also developed. The kidney has been shown to be the major target of AGEs. AGEs absorbed from infant formula may disturb the kidney function by inducing early oxidative stress and micro-inflammation and also a lipoxidative state in the liver.