RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
NiMera has developed a Day & Night Formula as milk has been shown to alter its composition, depending on time of day.
NiMera has developed a Day and Night Nutritional Powder as milk has been shown to alter its composition, depending on time of day.
Helping children receive the right nutrients, at the right times is imperative when it comes to optimising sleep cycles, and energy through the day.
Ask any parent, and getting their child sleep ‘right’ is a high priority when it comes to adjusting to the significant changes that come with being a parent.
Human milk has been shown to alter its composition, depending on time of day.
Human milk is a powerful form of chrononutrition, formulated by evolutionary processes to communicate time-of-day information to infants. Human milk contains higher levels of cortisol and activity-promoting amino acids during the day, to promote alertness, feeding behaviour, and catabolic processes in infants. Night milk contains high levels of melatonin and tryptophan to foster sleep, relax digestion, and support cell restoration.
Helping children receive the right nutrients, at the right times is imperative when it comes to optimising sleep cycles, and energy through the day.
Increasing tryptophan in nutritional powders has a significant benefit on sleep/wake cycles. This is due to both producing a similar plasma level of tryptophan to that of breast-fed infants there is a well-established link between intake of tryptophan in breast milk, and sleep patterns of breast-fed infants. This is based on the synthesis of melatonin from tryptophan through the tryptophan/serotonin pathway.
α-lactalbumin is a protein that is rich in tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the most limited amino acids in food proteins. In human milk, the concentrations of α-lactalbumin are much larger than cow milk or whey-dominant formula.
NiMera’ two separate powders, for day and night provide lower levels of tryptophan in the day time formula, and much higher levels in the night time formula due to it being rich in α-lactalbumin . This equates to more than the required minimum levels.
- Protein totals are within the ranges in both the day and night, with the night time formula being slightly higher protein. The quantities are in line with research which has shown improved sleep/wake cycles in infants, and allowing for the identified lag time, and circadian rhythm of tryptophan-melatonin pathways
- NiMera Childrens Nutritional Powder provides an option for parents that closely takes into account the changing formulation of human breast milk. Through making both a day and night nutritional powders available, with evidence showing the positive impact this has on sleep patterns by providing the right nutrition at the right time.
- NiMera has been developed to ensure that they comply with all relevant standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
NiMera Day and Night Childrens Nutritional Powders based on research of changes to milk due to circadian rhythm
NiMera has developed a Day and Night Childrens Nutritional Powder as milk has been shown to alter its composition, depending on time of day.
Background
Human milk has been shown to alter its composition, depending on time of day (Hahn-Holbrook, 2019). For mothers who exclusively breast feed, this may not seem so relevant, however for those who pump breast milk, or who utilise infant formula to feed their baby, this information is important, and may influence their feeding regime.
Whilst infant formula can’t replicate human milk, research into improving infant formula leads to breakthroughs to improve its composition and nutritional value to infants. Understanding the circadian rhythm of the feeding of the breast fed infant assisted the latest breakthrough, which will help ensure that nutrition for formula fed infants is optimised. Human milk is a dynamic fluid, changing its formulation based on circadian rhythms, and assisting with baby’s sleep, whereas cows milk, which most infant formulas are based on, is relatively static in nature (Lien, 2003, Hahn-Holbrook, 2019, Cubero, 2007). For this reason, formulation of NiMera, which more closely follows the changes seen in human milk during the day and night will likely result in helping infants receive the right nutrients at the right times, resulting in the right nutrients to support development and improved sleep/wake cycle in bottle fed infants.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. It is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin and of the hormone melatonin (Cubero, 2007). Oral consumption of tryptophan modifies the circulating levels of serotonin and melatonin, with absorption dependent on presence of carbohydrate. Adequate carbohydrate results in easier absorption of tryptophan, and transport into the brain. Numerous papers have shown that formulas designed with these factors in mind improve sleep/wake cycles in infants (Cubero, 2007; Cubero 2006; Lien, 2003).
Tryptophan is regarded as one of the limiting amino acids in low-protein infant formula products (1.3% protein or lower) (Heine, 1995). This means that if the protein level in a standard whey based infant formula is lowered to reach the same level of protein as human milk, this results in low tryptophan levels, amongst other amino acids (Heine, 1994). The amino acid balance within the infant formula must be carefully formulated when working at lower protein levels, as is required of infant formula.
The milk whey fraction, α-lactalbumin, has a relatively high concentration of tryptophan. One study of low-protein infant formulas showed that a tryptophan level of 2.1%, delivered a serum level in infants fed infant formula that did not differ significantly from an exclusively breast-fed control group of infants and has been used to improve the amino acid profile in infant formulas (Heine, 1996).
NIMERA’S QUANTITIES ARE IN LINE WITH RESEARCH WHICH HAS SHOWN THAT PROVIDING NUTRIENTS AT THE CORRECT TIMES CORRELATES WITH IMPROVED SLEEP/WAKE CYCLES IN CHILDREN AND SUPPORT THE CHILDS DEVELOPMENT
Tryptophan/Serotonin Pathway
Increasing tryptophan in childrens nutritional powders will have a significant benefit in providing the right nutrients to support the childs’ development and the sleep/wake cycles. This is due to producing a similar plasma level of tryptophan to that of breast-fed infants (Lien, 2003; Heine, 1996; Cubero, 2007); there is a well-established link between intake of tryptophan in breast milk, and sleep patterns of breast fed infants. This is based upon the synthesis of melatonin from tryptophan through the tryptophan/serotonin pathway (Richard, 2009).
When examining the overall cycle of tryptophan in breast milk, lowest levels are found mid-afternoon. Tryptophan in breast milk peaks at around 3am. This affects 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, a metabolite of melatonin, which subsequently peaks approximately 3 hours later in breast fed infants. The rhythm of this metabolite seems to be influenced by the rhythm of tryptophan found in breast milk (Cubero, 2005). As is expected, the level of melatonin itself is highest overnight, dropping during the day.
From this evidence, an childrens nutritional powder that is higher in tryptophan for night-time would elicit the most beneficial impact on childrens sleep. Two studies have confirmed this, with different formulations; one for day time consumption (6:00 am to 6:00pm) and the other for night time consumption (6:00pm to 6:00am). The use of separate formulations for day and night time consumption was shown to “consolidate the sleep/wake rhythm in bottle-fed infants” (Cubero, 2007).
NiMera’s two separate formulas, for day and night mirror this, with higher levels of tryptophan in night nutritional powder relative to day nutritional powder. These quantities are in line with research which has shown that providing nutrients at the correct times correlates with improved sleep/wake cycles in infants and support the infants development (Cubero 2007, Cubero 2006).
Varying composition of milk
Human milk is a powerful form of chrononutrition, formulated by evolutionary processes to communicate time-of-day information to infants. Human milk contains higher levels of cortisol and activity-promoting amino acids during the day, to promote alertness, feeding behaviour, and catabolic processes in infants. Night milk contains high levels of melatonin and tryptophan to foster sleep, relax digestion, and support cell restoration (Sanchez, 2013, Hahn-Holbrook, 2019). Development of NiMera is formulated around the basis of these changes, and the importance of providing particular nutrients at certain times of day or night, to more closely replicate human breast milk.
Human milk protein has been shown to contain a relatively high concentration of tryptophan, compared with other mammalian milks, such as cows’ milk and goats’ milk. In formula, tryptophan is the limiting amino acid. α-lactalbumin is a protein that is rich in tryptophan. In human milk, the concentrations of α-lactalbumin are much larger than cow milk or whey-dominant formula (Lien, 2003).
As a result, NiMera has been developed with lower protein but higher tryptophan concentrations due to elevated α-lactalbumin.
NIMERA HAS TAKEN ON FINDINGS IN DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR DAY AND NIGHT CHILDRENS FORMULATIONS TO MATCH WHAT HAS SHOWN TO BE EFFICACIOUS IN RESEARCH
HELPING INFANTS RECEIVE THE RIGHT NUTRIENTS, AT THE RIGHT TIMES IS IMPERATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO OPTIMISING SLEEP CYCLES, AND ENERGY THROUGH THE DAY. NIMERA DAY AND NIGHT CHILDRENS NUTRITIONAL POWDERS MEET AUSTRALIAN & INDIAN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Regulatory requirements
The makers of NiMera have worked to ensure that their products meet Australian regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to protein content of infant formula.
NiMera’ two separate formulas, provide higher levels of tryptophan the night powder than the day powder Protein is also above the minimums with the night being slightly higher
protein
Why is this important?
Helping children receive the right nutrients, at the right times is imperative when it comes to optimising sleep cycles, and energy through the day. Ask any parent, and getting their children’s sleep ‘right’ is a high priority when it comes to helping adjust to the significant changes that come with growing up a parent. Developing a positive sleep routine is not just essential for the child, but for the parents as well.
Positive sleep habits start from birth. Babies who do not get enough sleep may have trouble functioning during the day. At night, they may find it hard to settle. Taking steps to help support baby’s circadian rhythms through appropriately timed feeds can help set them up early on for a positive sleep routine, which can significantly impact their long term development and health (Cespedes, 2015).
In adults, inadequate sleep is associated with increased risk of obesity, diabetes and mental health conditions. Conversely, a positive sleep routine can help optimise health across the life.
References
- Cubero J. et al; Neuroendocrinology Letters (2006); 27(3): 373-380; Improved circadian sleep- wake cycle in infants fed a day/night dissociated formula milk
- Cubero J. et al; Neuroendocrinology Letters (2007); 28(4): 360-366; Chrononutrition applied to formula milks to consolidate infants’ sleep/wake cycle
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand; Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (2020); Schedule 29 Special purpose foods
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand; Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (2020); Standard 2.9.1 Infant formula products
- Hahn-Holbrook, J., Saxbe, D., Bixby, C. et al. (2019), Human milk as “chrononutrition”: implications for child health and development. Pediatr Res 85, 936–942. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0368-x
- Sánchez, C. L. et al. (2013). Evolution of the circadian profile of human milk amino acids during breastfeeding. J. Appl. Biomed. 11, 59–70
- Hajak G, Huether G, B.lanke J, Freyer B, Poeggeler P, Reimer A, Rodenbeck A, Schulz-Varszegi A, Ruether M. (1999). The influence of in- travenous L-tryptophan on plasma melatonin and sleep in men. Pharmacopsychiat. 24(1): 17–21
- Heine W.E.; Protein Metabolism During Infancy ed. Raiha N.C.R; Nestle Nutrition Workshop (1994); Qualitative Aspects of Protein in Human Milk and Formula: Amino Acid Pattern
- Heine W. et al; Amino Acids (1995); 9(3): 91; The significance of tryptophan in human nutrition
- Heine W.; Acta Pediatrica (1996); 85(9): 1024-1028; α-Lactalbumin-enriched low-protein infant formulas: a comparison to breast milk feeding
- Lerner, Aaron and Shamir, R, (2000). Nucleotides in infant nutrition: An update. IMAJ, Vol2, p772-773
- Lien E.L.; Am J Clin Nutr (2003); 77(suppl): 1555S-8S; Infant formulas with increased concentration of α-lactalbumin
- Richard D.M. et al; International Journal of Tryptophan Research (2009); 2: 45-60; L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioral Research and Therapeutic Indications.
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About NiMera
Our Vision
NiMera was created with the intent to develop the best milk powder products for infants, toddlers and adults. We combine the best ingredients for our day and night formulations to support development and growth during the day and better sleep during the night.
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