Early nutrition impact on the insulin-like growth factor axis and later health consequences

TY - JOUR

T1 - Early nutrition impact on the insulin-like growth factor axis and later health consequences

AU - Larnkjær, Anni

AU - Mølgaard, Christian

AU - Michaelsen, Kim F.

N1 - IHE 2012 023

PY - 2012/7

Y1 - 2012/7

N2 - Purpose of review: There is increasing interest in the role of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the relation between early growth and later risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This review presents and discusses a selection of recent publications on this topic. Recent findings: Nutrition during pregnancy and in preterm infants has an influence on IGF-I. Breastfeeding is associated with lower IGF-I values and the effect of early protein intake was confirmed in a large intervention study. IGF-I levels are associated with early obesity, but the relation is complex and differs with age. Further studies and reviews support that there is a programming of the IGF axis, with higher levels during early life being associated with lower levels in adulthood, which is likely to influence the risk of NCDs later in life. Summary: Recent studies support that IGF-I plays an important role in the complex association between early diet, growth and later health, but more studies are needed to better understand the role of IGF-I, especially in the early development of obesity. Studies with data on how IGF-I is influenced by early diet in studies of preterm infants and young children with undernutrition from low-income countries will be helpful in recommending optimal diets.

AB - Purpose of review: There is increasing interest in the role of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the relation between early growth and later risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This review presents and discusses a selection of recent publications on this topic. Recent findings: Nutrition during pregnancy and in preterm infants has an influence on IGF-I. Breastfeeding is associated with lower IGF-I values and the effect of early protein intake was confirmed in a large intervention study. IGF-I levels are associated with early obesity, but the relation is complex and differs with age. Further studies and reviews support that there is a programming of the IGF axis, with higher levels during early life being associated with lower levels in adulthood, which is likely to influence the risk of NCDs later in life. Summary: Recent studies support that IGF-I plays an important role in the complex association between early diet, growth and later health, but more studies are needed to better understand the role of IGF-I, especially in the early development of obesity. Studies with data on how IGF-I is influenced by early diet in studies of preterm infants and young children with undernutrition from low-income countries will be helpful in recommending optimal diets.

U2 - 10.1097/mco.0b013e328351c472

DO - 10.1097/mco.0b013e328351c472

M3 - Review

C2 - 22466924

SN - 1363-1950

VL - 15

SP - 285

EP - 292

JO - Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care

JF - Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care

IS - 3

ER -