The Problem with US Infant Formula

If you've been following our Nourishing Neurons blog, you are learning about the harmful effects synthetic Vitamin A has on the sensory receptors TRPV1 and TRPA1, resulting in chronic stress, inflammation, and the development of neuroinflammation.

This post is longer than our other posts because the labeling laws for Vitamin A can be confusing. Bear with us as we walk you through it. To our dismay, Vitamin A is no longer required to be listed on labels because deficiencies are rare with the fortification of foods and supplements. What about toxicity or the risk of consuming too much?

Intercranial Hypertension and Vitamin A

In our last post, we shared the lesser-known side effect of Vitamin A usage and its potential to cause intracranial hypertension, a condition characterized by increased pressure around the brain. This can lead to symptoms such as neck stiffness and pain, headaches, sometimes severe with flashes of light, vision changes, dizziness, vertigo, shallow breathing, and confusion. Understanding this connection is vital, especially for individuals using retinoids for skincare purposes or excessively consuming products fortified with Vitamin A. Retinol activates TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors triggering microglial and cytokine release which causes vasodilation of blood vessels in the brain, increasing cerebral blood volume and intercranial pressure. 

Baby Brain Development and Excessive Vitamin A Intake

The brain of a baby develops during the first three years, so it is essential to ensure they get the proper nutrients and not too much Vitamin A. Babies and children are more sensitive to Vitamin A. They can quickly accumulate toxic amounts, which can affect their brain development and cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, shallow breathing, digestive problems, and a lack of muscle coordination.

Retinoids, Retinol and Beta-Carotenes

Retinoids are chemically derived forms of Vitamin A. Retinol is Vitamin A from food sources like liver or cod liver oil. Retinoids and retinol can both have damaging effects if consumed in excess. However, retinol sources typically contain the fat required to properly metabolize the vitamin, as opposed to chemical versions of retinoids, which are much more potent. It is important to note that beta-carotene forms of Vitamin A do not activate the sensory receptors that can lead to the development of neuroinflammation. However, Vitamin A is vital for your baby's growing brain and immune system, so ensuring you are getting enough but not too much retinol or retinoids is essential. Your safest bet is to consume plenty of beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables.

Conversion for Nutrition Labels

Vitamin A's Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is provided as Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE). This accounts for the varying bioactivity of the different forms: retinoids (chemicals), retinol (natural food sources), and various carotenoids (beta-carotene).

1 IU retinol = 0.3 mcg(ug) RAE

1 IU beta-carotene from fruits & vegetables = 0.05 mcg(ug) RAE

1 IU retinoid, as Vitamin A Palmitate* = 0.55 mcg(ug) RAE

*the most common type used in food fortification

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A

From the National Academies Press, Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council.

Vitamin A Content of US Brands of Infant Formula

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A per day for an infant 0-6 months is 400 mcg(ug) with a tolerable upper level (UL) of 600 mcg(ug) per day. The nutrition labels of infant formula list the amount of Vitamin A in International Units (IU), so the unit measure needs to be converted to mcg. The table below shows the conversion of one 5 oz serving of infant formula containing 300 IUs of Vitamin A (as Vitamin A Palmitate) converts to 165 mcg(ug).

Infants require 24 to 32 ounces of formula daily until they are a year old. If we multiply the one 5 oz serving by 5 to supply 25 oz of formula daily, babies 0-6 months consume 825 mcg(ug) of Vitamin A per day, 206% more than the RDA. These numbers are disturbing, considering the continuing rise in pediatric neurological disorders in the United States.

Solutions to Protect Your Baby's Growing Brain

1. Exclusively breastfeed and watch your Vitamin A intake. Beta-carotene versions of Vitamin A are perfectly safe. If you are looking for a prenatal you can continue to use while you are nursing, we recommend one with 100% beta-carotene and no retinoids, retinyl palmitate, or retinyl acetate. Our favorite brands** are Rainbow Light and Ritual Prenatals Multivitamins. Ritual has no Vitamin A added in either retinol or beta-carotene form. So, if you choose the Ritual brand, be sure to consume beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables.

2. Mostly breastfeed, supplementing with small amounts of infant formula. This can take more work to keep track of. You will need to track the amount of Vitamin A in the formula and your diet. We can show you how to remove most if not all, synthetic forms from your diet. However, be sure to consume beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables.

3. Choose a European brand of infant formula. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends 250 mcg(ug) of Vitamin A per day for babies and children 0 months - three years. A much more conservative approach, so a 5 oz serving of European infant formula only contains 54 mcg(ug) or 98 IUs, which keeps your baby's levels safely under the US Recommended Dietary Allowance. Even at a higher daily amount of 30 ounces of formula (6 - 5 oz bottles), the amount of Vitamin A (as Vitamin A Palmitate) = 324 mcg(ug). It is a much safer level for a developing brain.

ESFA Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A

The people icons show the approximate US recommendation levels. The amounts are quite different for babies.

Recommended European Brands of Infant Formula**

Our current favorite is Jovie Organic Infant Milk. Find it here at Organic's' Best along with many other European brands..

"Jovie Cow infant formula nourishes babies with organic full-cream cow’s milk, which is rich in essential fats. Fats are the dominant source of energy for babies in their first six months of life and are essential for balanced nutrition. 

Whole milk fat is proven to be closer to the fat profile of breast milk than vegetable oils for a superior fat supply. Plus, researchers believe milk fats provide enhanced nutrition by offering better digestion, bodily function support, and aiding healthy gut bacteria development."

**We only recommend products that our team personally uses and that align with our mission. We do not accept compensation for endorsing companies or products that do not reflect our values. We believe in advocating responsibly for the physical and mental well-being of everyone.