DHA, ARA Promote Immune Health

EVANSVILLE, Ind.Infants fed formula supplemented with DHA and ARA during the first year of life demonstrates improved immune outcomes, including improved respiratory health, according to a new study published in the June 2010 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics. The health benefit was shown for the first three years of life, according to researchers at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest.

A routine cow's milk formula supplemented with DHA and ARA (Enfamil® LIPIL®) or the same formula with no DHA or ARA (now discontinued Enfamil with Iron) was fed to infants within the first week of life through 12 months in randomized, double blind studies. Results of the study revealed infants fed the supplemented formula experienced improved immune health relative to the infants fed the unsupplemented formula. In this study, immune health was assessed looking at a variety of clinical outcomes related to respiratory and skin health based on a review of infants' medical charts. Improvements were demonstrated in most of the outcomes assessed in the study.