Low-Protein Infant Formula Reducing Metabolic Syndrome Risk

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Infant formulas with high protein content contribute to increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance in infants, particularly those born to non-obese and non-overweight mothers, and cause damage to non-mature organs due to excessive protein burden.

Innovation Solution

A nutritional composition with a protein content of less than 1.8 g/100 kcal, comprising a protein source, lipid source, and carbohydrate source, designed to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance, while promoting a growth rate and hormonal profile similar to breastfed infants, and minimizing protein burden on non-mature organs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If infant formula has high protein content, then growth rate is improved, but risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidrisk of obesity and metabolic syndrome
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the protein content to be less than 1.8 g/100 kcal, which is lower than conventional infant formulas. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by reducing the harmful metabolic effects while maintaining adequate growth through optimized nutrient composition and balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the specific amino acid profile and protein distribution within the formula. Rather than simply reducing total protein, the invention focuses on the quality and composition of proteins, ensuring essential amino acids are present in appropriate amounts while keeping total protein content low to prevent obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If infant formula has high protein content, then weight gain is improved, but protein burden on non-mature organs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight gainVSAvoidprotein burden on non-mature organs
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by setting the protein content threshold at less than 1.8 g/100 kcal, which reduces the protein burden on immature renal and hepatic organs in infants. This parameter optimization allows adequate weight gain while protecting developing organ systems from excessive protein stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If infant formula protein content is reduced, then risk of obesity is decreased, but growth rate may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of obesityVSAvoidgrowth rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple nutrient components in a balanced formulation. The low-protein formula is complemented by optimized carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to ensure adequate energy and nutritional support for growth, thereby maintaining growth rate while reducing obesity risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by enhancing the quality of individual nutrients to compensate for reduced protein content. The formula includes optimized amino acid profiles, essential fatty acids, and micronutrients that support growth and development without requiring high total protein levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12053007B2Use of nutritional compositions having a low protein amount
Publication Date: 2024.08.06 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of a nutritional composition having a low amount of protein, such as less than 1.8 g/100 kcal for administration to infants of non-obese and non-overweight mothers so as to reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, increased weight gain, increased fat deposition, overweight, obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus later in said infant's life.