Avocado is an amazing fruit. We use the amazing avocado fruit oil in our formula because it’s packed with antioxidants and other nutrients with these 7 benefits to your baby. The benefits of this humble green oil are widespread, and we thought you might like to know a little more about what they do.
1. The Avocado’s Antioxidants
There is constant buzz about antioxidants, but what are they and how do they work. Perhaps the reason descriptions of antioxidants are vague is because they are defined more by what they do than what they are. Antioxidants is any substance that inhibits oxidation. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are both antioxidants. They remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism. They delay or prevent certain types of cell damage.
Our cells constantly face a myriad of threats from infections, viruses, chemicals (free radicals) and/or inadequate nutrition. Possibly the most damaging of these are free radicals. These share a huge appetite for electrons, which they steal from nearby cells they come in contact with. They can change a cell’s membrane which changes the flow of what enters the cell and what it leaves behind. Our bodies are used to fighting against these, but antioxidants supply a huge boost to the free radical fight. Fruits and vegetables, including avocados, are a great source of antioxidants.
2. Fatty Acid
Avocados also contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid high in lutein. Lutein is a carotenoid that helps in the eye and brain development. While in the womb, lutein is provided to the baby through the umbilical cord. During the first few years of life, Lutein inclusion in the baby’s diet is essential for normal eye and brain development. Studies indicate this healthy fat also has a beneficial effect on cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
3. Vitamin K
Healthy bones and blood clotting are contributed in part to vitamin K. Osteocalcin (protein that develops healthy bone tissue) needs vitamin K to perform its job. Without Vitamin K babies are at risk for a host of bad actors like cystic fibrosis, celiac disease or ulcerative colitis. No worries, the amazing avocado in our formula has it covered.
4. B Vitamins
Avocados contain many B-vitamins that support brain development and healthy red blood cells. They contain B5 and B6, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin). Maybe the best way to explain what B vitamins do for babies is to list the symptoms of vitamin B deficiency. If your child does not get enough vitamin B in their system, they can exhibit fatigue and lethargy, muscle weakness, and irritability. Their digestive system reacts to the deficiency with diarrhea, vomiting or constipation and weight loss. And as if that isn’t enough, vitamin B deficiencies can result in delayed developmental milestones. In Sammy’s Milk the avocado oil works with methylated vitamin supplements to ensure the correct amount of this key nutrient.
5. Folate
Folate is a B vitamin that helps your child’s cells and tissues develop correctly, including the synthesis and repair of DNA and RNA. Folic acid does not occur in nature. It is lab created to mimic the benefits of folate which is in many plants including avocado. Of the two, folic acid handles heat better, but folate is more easily converted in your gut to the version of vitamin B9 that little bodies need. In children with MTHFR, their bodies can’t metabolize enough of the folic acid they need. Both help bodies make red blood cells. That means better oxygen supply to the body.
6. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the powerhouse that builds and maintains bones, teeth skin and cartilage. C helps the body form blood vessels and collagen in bones. Though it can be taken in through supplements, it’s great to have it right here in the formula, through the avocado.
7. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another superhero in the nutrition department. It plays an important role in neurodevelopment and perception, heart health and in reduction of dangerous asthmatic responses.
The Avocado Oil Offers Still More Benefits
The NIH National Library of Medicine published an article that mentioned a big problem for child nutrition. Dietary patterns of babies tend to have insufficient sources of fruits, vegetables and fiber. A large number of “infants and toddlers do not consume any fruits or vegetables on a daily basis.” Besides supplying critical minerals like magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, avocadoes show promise of helping meet dietary needs of infants and toddlers.
We recognize the contribution avocado oil brings to our formula, and we’re glad it overcomes national nutrition trends to help start babies off to develop stronger healthier bodies.
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