One of the most important minerals found in milk is calcium, which helps build strong, healthy bones. But when palmitic acid is detached from the glycerol backbone of the fat molecule, it clumps together with this essential mineral, and prevents it from being absorbed.

Since less palmitic acid is ‘freed’ when digesting Betapol®, the baby metabolizes up to 20% more calcium than infants who are fed with traditional formulas. Those infants lose a great deal of the calcium, as well as the energy-rich fat, in their stool. The ‘soap’ made of calcium and fat also makes the stool harder, which increases the risk of constipation and colic. In the worst cases, it can even lead to bowel obstruction. Qualitative studies show that Betapol®-fed babies have a 65% reduction in hard stools compared to babies fed with traditional formulas.

Betapol® with a higher percentage of palmitic acid in the sn-2 position, leads to lower calcium excretions that result in softer stools for the infant vs. commercial infant formula (IF) (Carnielli et al., 1996).