6 Ceramic Kitchen Tools That Will Change the Way You Cook

When we say “ceramic,” you probably think of dishware, coffee mugs, and potted plants. And, sure, pottery is great and all, but ceramic is actually finding its way into the kitchen, and doing its best to upstage stainless steel and glass. Read on for some cool products to help you get your ceramic on.

Kyocera Santoku 5 ½-inch chef’s knife ($37; amazon.com)

Don’t let the brightly colored handles and light weight of this knife fool you; it is crazy sharp and a real kitchen workhorse. It makes quick and easy work of chopping or thinly slicing vegetables, off-the-bone meats and fish, and more; and you can cook enough for a crowd without getting tired because the size and weight of the knife make it exceptionally easy to handle. Unlike some of its metal counterparts, it won’t break down or rust when exposed to salt or acidic foods. As with all ceramic knives, it requires some care: Dropping it can break it, and you shouldn’t use this knife (or any ceramic one) to remove an avocado pit or to cut through bone, which could chip or break it. Kyocera also makes excellent ceramic peelers and paring knives.

Photo: amazon.com

Dalstrong 8-inch Barracuda Blade Bread Knife ($30; amazon.com)

I tested this sleek knife on a bread from Bien Cuit that has a deliciously hard crust and a soft center. It handled both textures like a champ; it sawed right through the tough exterior and delicately cut the insides without tearing them. This knife also works beautifully on delicate items like tomatoes and pears, cutting through them easily without squashing them.

Photo: amazon.com

GreenLife 2-Piece Nonstick Ceramic Fry Pan Set ($30; amazon.com)

If you love the convenience of your nonstick cookware but worry about the chemicals on them, good news: Now you can have your eggs and eat them, too, without a huge mess. This handy set from GreenLife has a smaller size (7 inches, perfect for the aforementioned eggs) and a larger one (10 inches, great for sautés). Plus, they’re lightweight and distribute heat evenly. Be sure to use silicone utensils; metal can cause the nonstick coating to chip. Need a larger pan? Not to worry, they make a 12-inch size as well.

Photo: amazon.com

GreenPan Lima 11-Inch Hard Anodized Nonstick Ceramic Square Griddle ($40; amazon.com)

You’ll never want to go out for pancakes again once you try out this pan. Your flapjacks (you can make 4 at a time on this pan) will cook evenly and flipping them is a breeze with the ceramic nonstick coating. As with all pans, let it cool before washing to avoid warping.

Photo: amazon.com

Ello Ogden 16-oz. Ceramic Tumbler with Lid ($15; amazon.com)

Say so long to disposable cups and grab one of these for your on-the-go beverage needs. The ceramic cup doesn’t give off any flavor, so your beverage of choice just tastes like itself. A silicone sleeve offers cheerful color as well as some insulation (though we didn’t find that our coffee stayed hotter any longer than it does in other insulated cups). Another advantage: The lid is super-easy to clean, unlike other travel mugs we’ve tried.

Photo: amazon.com

 

Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill ($28; amazon.com)

If you’re looking at the photo of this and thinking, “It looks like mostly glass and plastic to me,” you’re right. But the crucial part of this handy gadget is the ceramic gears that mesh together to deliver freshly ground coffee on demand. This hand-crank tool is perfect if you only brew one cup at a time (as I do; I’m the only coffee drinker at home). Grinding the beans by hand is made easier with the ceramic gears, but it still requires some elbow grease, so you get a little arm workout every morning, before you’ve even had your first sip. Win-win.

Photo: amazon.com

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7 Things to Know Before Your First Barre Class

Photo: Getty Images

Long, lean, sculpted: These are some of the biggest fitness buzzwords du jour. And if you’re wondering where gym-goers are flocking to chisel that slim, strong bod, we can bet it’s barre class. The trendy ballet-inspired method focuses on isolating individual muscle groups through “micro-movements,” or small pulses that you repeat until the point of fatigue. The effect: You tire out your muscles quickly, which means speedy results.

But barre isn’t just about the physical intensity, says Jennifer Williams, founder of the boutique studio PopPhysique and a former professional ballet dancer. “The mental rewards are great as well. The class is so challenging, it requires your complete focus, allowing you to be in an almost meditative state.”

Here, Williams, along with Tanya Becker—the co-founder of another popular studio, Physique 57—fill us in on everything a first-timer should know before bellying up to the barre.

You don’t need a dance background

While this style of class is dance-inspired, ballet is by no means a prerequisite. Anyone can benefit from it. Barre classes are typically low impact and gentle on the joints. Plus, the moves can be modified to fit your strength and flexibility level. “The great thing about this method is that it meets you where you are in life, whether you are recovering from an injury, bouncing back from a pregnancy, new to exercise, or just looking for a challenge,” Becker explains.

RELATED: Best and Worst Workouts for Flexibility

You’ll probably hear words you don’t recognize

Some of the instructions are borrowed from ballet, like first position (stand with your feet flat, heels together, toes pointing to the sides), relevé (balance on the balls of your feet), and plié (bend your knees). But others may be unique to the studio. Think small V, deli slicer, pretzel—huh?!

If the lingo leaves you scratching your head, don’t worry, says Williams. The words matter far less than the movement, so follow along with the instructor and the other students around you. “Over time, you will come to learn the technique and understand the terminology, but you don’t have to know it going in,” assures Williams.

Becker adds: “For beginners, we usually say after five to 10 classes, you start to get the hang of it.”

You won’t be at the barre the whole time

Most classes mix in elements of glute and abdominal work, cardio, and stretching that take place away from the barre. A chunk of the class may be done on the floor, and incorporate balls, bands, Pilates rings, or light dumbbells to achieve an extra burn. “I don’t think people realize what a comprehensive full-body workout barre classes can deliver,” Becker says.

RELATED: 25 Surprising Ways to Lose Weight

If you’re shaking, you’re doing it right

People don’t hashtag #BarreBurn for nothing. “Due to the intensity of the workout, you should feel heat in your muscles, and sometimes you’ll shake, which is a sure sign that you are working effectively and achieving those beautiful, long, lean muscles,” says Becker.

Don’t get discouraged if you need to relax and stretch out your arms, legs, feet, or tush periodically. Even barre regulars need to surrender to their quivering thighs. “There might be moments in class where you need to stop because the burn is so intense,” says Becker, “and that’s OK—it’s not about how many times you stop but about how quickly you get back in.”

You’re going to be sore the next day

Expect to feel achy in places you may not normally get sore. But don’t sit out for too long. Williams and Becker recommend you take another class within a few days. “It’s better to work through the soreness by stretching in class than wait so long between classes that when you come back, you just get super sore all over again,” Williams says. And of course, as Becker points out, “the more you come the faster you will see results.”

RELATED: 9 Workout Pants That Take You From Barre to Brunch

You may need to invest in a pair of grippy socks

You’ll see most students in class wearing socks with grippy rubber material on the bottom. “It’s definitely easier and more comfortable in socks,” Williams explains. “The grips on the bottom give you great traction when you need it, and the fabric allows you to slide easily during stretches.” We like the Lucy Studio Grip Socks ($42 for a 3-pack; zappos.com) and the New Balance Studio Skins ($55; newbalance.com). But if you forget a pair, don’t panic: Most studios have socks for sale on site.

It’s best to wear formfitting clothing

A leotard and tights aren’t required (although totally welcome!). But it’s helpful to dress in gear that makes it easy for you and your instructor to evaluate and correct your alignment. “Leggings that come below the knee or ankle-length are ideal,” says Williams. “For the top, something comfortable yet formfitting.”

If giving up your favorite slouchy workout tee is what’s keeping you from going to a barre class however, wear it. “The most important thing is that clients feel comfortable and confident,” Becker assures.

Below, a few of our favorite tops, leggings, and cover-ups that stay in place while you’re sculpting a toned tummy, lean thighs, and lifted seat.

Athleta Epitomize Tank ($49; athleta.gap.com)

Photo: Athleta.gap.com

Under Armour Solid Lux Tank ($50; zappos.com)

Photo: Zappos.com

Sweaty Betty Vitality Dance Top ($115; sweatybetty.com)

Photo: Sweatybetty.com

ALO Nova Capri ($82; zappos.com)

Photo: Zappos.com

Body Language Helio Legging ($96; bandier.com)

Photo: Bandier.com

Soybu Camii Stirrup Legging Pants ($64; amazon.com)

Photo: Amazon.com

Sweaty Betty Contemporary Dance Crop ($125; sweatbetty.com)

Photo: Sweatybetty.com

Ideology Ballet Wrap Top ($55; amazon.com)

Photo: Amazon.com

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Health Care Apps Often Offer Little Privacy Protection: Study

By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — If you’re relying on your smartphone to share medical information with your doctor, you may be risking the privacy of your health records, a new study warns.

The new research finds that privacy policies for health programs — or “apps” — designed for smartphones that share highly sensitive medical information between patients and doctors are lacking, and often are completely missing.

The study looked specifically at diabetes-related apps marketed to Android-phone users. But, the problem doesn’t stop there, the researchers said.

“Our findings apply not just to ‘Google Play’ or diabetes apps specifically, but all health apps and potentially apps in general,” said study lead author and lawyer Sarah Blenner. She’s with the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago.

“And the issue is that people in general are probably not aware that their private medical information is being collected and regularly leaked from these apps, forwarded to data aggregators and marketing companies,” she said.

“We don’t know exactly what the ultimate end point is,” Blenner acknowledged. “But in the past this kind of information has ultimately been shared with employers and insurance companies,” who, she said, stand to collect large sums of money for the dissemination of information most patients falsely believe is only being seen by their caregivers.

The study was published in the March 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

As of 2012, about 7 percent of American primary care doctors recommended health apps to their patients. Such apps address a wide range of health concerns, such as providing simple medication reminders, monitoring a patient’s health in real-time, and transmitting information to caregivers.

“There are no federal legal protections currently protecting the disclosure of health information from most medical apps,” Blenner said. Yet, one-fifth of American smartphone users already have such apps on their device, the study found.

The researchers focused on 211 diabetes-specific apps available for download in mid-2014 on Google Play. This is the official store for phones and tablets using Android operating systems. The study didn’t include Apple-based apps available through Apple’s iTunes store.

Blenner and her associates noted that Google Play mandates that all apps post a point-of-sale list of information-handling “permissions” that consumers must agree to before downloading, whether or not they’re actually read.

Among the apps studied, these permissions included: tracking patient location (nearly 18 percent); remotely activating a user’s microphone or camera (about 4 percent and 11 percent, respectively); and modifying or deleting stored information (64 percent).

The study authors also found that about 80 percent of the apps actually had no declared privacy policy of any kind. And of the roughly 20 percent that did have a privacy policy, patient privacy protection was very often not the main focus, the researchers said.

For example, among apps that did have some privacy policy in place, about 80 percent collected user data, and nearly half indicated they shared that data, the study revealed. Only four apps declared that patient permission would be requested before sharing took place.

Among 65 apps randomly selected by the research team, more than 86 percent placed tracking “cookies” on users’ phones to monitor sensitive health information (such as insulin levels) that could be easily shared with third parties. More than three-quarters shared such information, whether or not they had a privacy policy in place, the investigators found.

“Consumers really need to understand what an app developer’s privacy practice is before downloading and using these apps,” Blenner cautioned. “Because once their medical information is leaked, they can’t ever regain control over it.”

Alejandro Lleras, an associate professor in the department of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said that while such apps can be helpful, they also raise “very delicate privacy issues.”

“There’s a lot of potential for these apps to have a positive impact, in the area of both physical and mental health,” he said. “But the uncontrolled use of private information can lead to stigmatization and discrimination, which means there’s also the potential for great social harm.”

Lleras said the threshold for privacy and identity protection should be as high for medical apps as it is for financial information.

“Nobody would use TurboTax if they didn’t think it was safe. We should set the bar just as high for health information,” he said.

More information

There’s more on health privacy on mobile devices from HealthIT.gov.

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With Early Breast Cancer, Targeted Radiation Shows Promise

By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For women with early stage breast cancer, targeted doses of radiation therapy may be as effective as standard radiation treatment of the entire breast, a new British study suggests.

The research only tracked women for five years, so it isn’t definitive. Still, “this contributes to a growing body of evidence that a large proportion of women over 50 years old with small breast cancers can avoid whole breast radiotherapy,” said study co-author Dr. John Yarnold. He is a professor of clinical oncology with the Institute of Cancer Research in London.

At issue: What is the best treatment for low-risk early breast cancer?

Many studies have shown that surgery to remove the cancerous lump — but not the entire breast — followed by radiation of the whole breast reduces the chance of breast cancer returning, said Dr. Reshma Jagsi, who was not involved with the new study. Jagsi is an associate professor in the department of radiation oncology at the University of Michigan Health System.

Research also suggests that women who undergo this more intensive treatment survive somewhat longer, Jagsi added.

But side effects can include breast shrinkage, firmness and tenderness, Yarnold said. That raises the question of whether partial radiation could be a better option.

The researchers behind the new study randomly assigned just over 2,000 women with breast cancer in the United Kingdom to undergo one of three radiation therapy approaches after having small cancerous tumors surgically removed. Two of the approaches focused the radiation around the tumor, exposing the rest of the breast to little or no radiation.

According to Yarnold, the study revealed that three weeks of partial breast radiation therapy produced fewer side effects but seemed just as effective as whole breast radiation over five years.

Besides very low rates of relapse among all three groups, the rate of side effects from the target therapy was minimal, the study authors said.

But Yarnold and Jagsi disagree over whether doctors should embrace the more limited form of radiation treatment now.

Yarnold predicted that partial breast radiation treatment will become standard for large numbers of women with breast cancer over the next five years.

But he cautioned that the treatment isn’t appropriate for all patients. Physician opinions vary, he said, but in general, the treatment seems best for women over 50 with low- to medium-grade tumors who’ve had the entire primary tumor removed and didn’t show signs of the cancer spreading to axillary nodes (lymph nodes in the armpit region).

The findings are promising, said Jagsi, who added that the technology to deliver partial breast radiation is available in the United States.

However, the study isn’t strong enough to warrant changing the traditional approach, at least for women with longer life expectancies, Jagsi said. More follow-up is needed to determine whether less radiation is effective over the long term, she added.

In the case of this ongoing study, additional results will be reported in another five years.

For now, “physicians and patients should have detailed discussions about the expected risks and benefits of radiotherapy in each particular case,” Jagsi said. “Many approaches to radiation treatment are now available, and informed deliberation and discussion of this and many other relevant studies is necessary to ensure that each patient can select the approach that is right for her.”

The study was scheduled for presentation Wednesday at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Amsterdam, Holland. Studies presented at conferences are usually considered preliminary because they haven’t gone through the peer-review process required by major medical journals.

More information

For more about radiation therapy for breast cancer, see the American Cancer Society.

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No Filter Necessary: The Best Beauty Products for a Flawless Complexion

Forget Instagram filters: The latest crop of complexion perfecters diffuse light, disguise imperfections, and deliver a soft-focus finish—IRL.

1. For a line-free forehead

Prescriptives Super Line Filler ($45; birchbox.com) fills in wrinkles like caulk for smoother skin on the spot. Bonus: Peptides and antioxidants offer anti-aging benefits.

Photo: Birchbox.com

RELATED: 14 Foods That Make You Look Older

2. For a believably radiant complexion

Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation ($44; at sephora.com) contains light-reflecting pearl dust for a natural-looking glow—no candlelight required.

Photo: Sephora.com

3. For wide-awake eyes

Physicans Formula Nude Wear Touch of Blur ($13; amazon.com) touts microfine pigments that conceal dark circles and reduce shadows.

Photo: Amazon.com

RELATED: 29 Expert Beauty Tricks Every Woman Should Know

4. For firmer skin

Studio 10 Miracle Effect Priming Serum ($98; joyus.com) instantly tightens crepey skin and smooths it over time with potent anti-agers; wear alone or under makeup.

Photo: Joyus.com

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U.S. Pediatricians to Add Poverty to Well-Visit Checklist

WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Pediatricians in the United States already ask parents about their child’s sleep, diet and developmental milestones. Soon, they’ll add poverty to the well-visit checklist.

Poverty can significantly harm a child’s health, according to a new American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement.

The group says pediatricians can identify children at risk by asking parents a single question: “Do you have difficulty making ends meet at the end of the month?” Those who answer “yes” can then be directed to appropriate community resources.

“Pediatricians are dedicated to preventing illness in children and intervening early when there is a problem,” Dr. James Duffee, one of the authors of the policy statement, said in an academy news release.

“Because poverty so strongly influences children’s health and development, pediatricians are asking about poverty-related stress so we can connect families to resources in their communities,” he explained.

Studies show that severe and persistent poverty can lead to major lifelong health problems such as infant death, poor language development, and increased risk of asthma, obesity and injuries, according to the policy statement.

There is also growing evidence that childhood poverty is associated with high levels of stress that can change gene expression and brain function, and contribute to behavioral problems and chronic heart and mental health disorders, the statement added.

Census data from 2014 shows that 1 in 5 U.S. children younger than 18 lives in poverty. When families classified as poor, near poor or low-income are included, the child poverty rate rises to 43 percent, or more than 31.5 million, according to the academy.

“We know that poverty-related conditions can take a significant and lasting toll,” report lead author Dr. John Pascoe said. “But we also know there are effective interventions to help buffer these effects, like promoting strong family relationships, which cause positive changes in the body’s stress response system and the architecture of the developing brain.”

The academy also called for expansion of state and federal anti-poverty and safety net programs. Additionally, it urged pediatricians to support policies that increase access to health care, healthy food and safe and affordable housing.

“Poverty is everywhere. It affects children of all backgrounds and in all communities,” Dr. Benard Dreyer, academy president, said in the news release.

Although cities and rural communities continue to have high rates of poverty, the suburbs have witnessed large increases in poverty since the 2008 recession, the news release noted.

The policy statement and an accompanying report were published online March 9 in Pediatrics.

More information

The Children’s Defense Fund has more about child poverty.

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Doctors May Be Missing Chances to Treat Prediabetes

WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A large number of Americans with prediabetes aren’t being treated for the condition, which suggests that doctors are missing opportunities to prevent diabetes, researchers report.

More than one-third of U.S. adults have prediabetes, which means their blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. People with prediabetes are at increased risk for circulatory problems, kidney disease, and nerve and retinal damage, the study authors said.

“We know that prediabetes is considered one of the biggest risk factors for the development of diabetes, with estimates ranging from 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes developing diabetes within five years,” said lead investigator Arch Mainous III. Mainous is chair of the department of health services research, management and policy in the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida.

“We also know that 90 percent of people who have prediabetes don’t know they have it. So the question becomes, where is the doctor in all this? Is the doctor identifying people with prediabetes, telling them about it and providing treatment? That’s what we wanted to find out,” he said in a university news release.

Mainous and his colleagues analyzed 2012 federal government survey data on people aged 45 and older who had doctor-ordered blood tests within the past 90 days. About 34 percent of them had blood sugar levels that indicated prediabetes.

However, very few of those patients were told they had prediabetes and only 23 percent of them began treatment for the condition, such as lifestyle changes or drug therapy, according to the study. The findings were published March 8 in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

“Even with blood test results in front of them, physicians weren’t detecting prediabetes in their patients in terms of making a diagnosis or providing some sort of management or treatment,” Mainous said.

“Identifying people with prediabetes and getting them some sort of treatment has been shown to be effective for slowing the progression to diabetes or stopping it altogether, and that is the goal of prevention,” he explained. “We don’t want to manage half the population with diabetes. What we want to do is keep them from getting diabetes.”

Mainous said he is now conducting a survey of thousands of family doctors to learn why so many patients with prediabetes aren’t receiving treatment.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about prediabetes.

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Maria Menounos On Her Mom’s Best Cooking Advice: ‘There Are No Mistakes’

Photo: Getty Images

The author and E! News host offers up her favorite in-a-pinch meals and the cooking mantra she learned from Mom, with whom she penned her latest book, The Every Girl’s Guide to Cooking ($22; amazon.com).

RELATED: Maria Menounos’ Fat-Melting Circuit

On finding inspiration

“Cooking was such a big part of my life growing up. My grandfather was a chef in Greece, and my mom was a school cafeteria cook, so cooking is in my blood. Living with a type 1 diabetic father meant our meals were always healthy, because they had to be.”

On her mom’s best advice

“Not to be afraid. There are no mistakes. That’s why I wanted to write this book with her. The tips throughout the book encourage women to try to make the meals their own so they have control over their diet and realize cooking isn’t so scary.”

On healthy eating myths

“That healthy meals have to lack taste. I know vegetables can look boring, and they’re not our instinctive choice, but healthy foods can taste amazing, and you will feel better than if you ate a cheeseburger. Although, there’s a time and place for that, too!”

RELATED: Maria Menounos’ Mykonos Burger Recipe

On her go-to ingredients

“Crushed red pepper makes almost any dish delicious and flavorful. We use it a lot in our house. Olive oil is essential. You need it for everything. And beans—any kind of bean is generally pretty easy to make and a great source of protein.”

On her get-out-the-door snack

“Speedy egg salad—smash up a hard-boiled egg with some mustard and salt. Spread it on whole-grain or gluten-free toast, or scoop it with celery sticks. Or a caffeine smoothie for the girl who needs both and doesn’t want to juggle two drinks in the morning.”

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Cinnamon Proughnuts

 

For a sweet treat minus the guilt, try these cinnamon proughnuts. Remember moderation is key!

 

What you'll need (Makes 4)

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour
• 1 scoop unflavoured protein powder
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp sugar
• Pinch sea salt
• ¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce
• ¼ cup light sour cream
• ½ cup almond milk
• ¼ cup coconut oil

What you'll do
In a bowl, whisk all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients except coconut oil. Add wet to dry and mix well. Pour into prepared doughnut shapers, filling to ¾ full. Bake at 180°C for eight to 10 minutes. Before you remove doughnuts from oven, heat coconut oil in a small saucepan at medium-high (not high). Remove doughnuts from oven and remove from pan. Using tongs, place each doughnut in the oil and cover completely. Remove and immediately roll in cinnamon and, if desired, a little sugar.

Protein: 11 g // Carb: 63 g

NEXT: For more healthy snacks, try these chewy date balls.

 

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Special Infant Formulas Don’t Shield Against Asthma, Allergies: Study

TUESDAY, March 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many parents who worry that their baby is at risk of asthma, allergies or type 1 diabetes may turn to special cow’s milk formulas touted to lower the risk.

But a new review of the data on these “hydrolyzed” infant formulas finds no good evidence that they actually protect children from the autoimmune disorders.

“We found no consistent evidence to support a protective role for partially or extensively hydrolyzed formula,” concluded a team led by Robert Boyle of Imperial College London in England.

“Our findings conflict with current international guidelines, in which hydrolyzed formula is widely recommended for young formula-fed infants with a family history of allergic disease,” the study authors added.

One expert in the United States said the finding casts doubt on the usefulness of these special formula products.

“Allergies and autoimmune diseases [such as asthma and type 1 diabetes] are on the rise and it would be nice if we did have a clear route to preventing them,” said Dr. Ron Marino, associate chair of pediatrics at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.

“Unfortunately, despite U.S. Food and Drug Administration support [for hydrolyzed formula], the data are not compelling,” he said.

According to the British researchers, many infant feeding guidelines worldwide — including North America, Australasia and Europe — recommend hydrolyzed cow’s milk formula instead of standard infant formula to prevent autoimmune disorders during the first months of life.

Dr. Punita Ponda is assistant chief of allergy and immunology at Northwell Health in Great Neck, N.Y. She stressed that when it comes to infant feeding, breast milk is by far the healthiest option.

However, “current mainstream guidelines for infant formula do recommend that parents consider using hypoallergenic formula if a close family member — like an older brother or sister — has a food allergy,” she said. That was based on prior studies supporting some kind of protective effect, Ponda said.

However, the U.K. team found no consistent evidence to support the recommendations, according to their review published March 8 in the BMJ.

In the study, Boyle’s team looked at data from 37 studies that together included more than 19,000 participants and were conducted between 1946 and 2015.

The investigators found that infants who received hydrolyzed cow’s milk formula did not have a lower risk of asthma, allergies (such as eczema, hay fever, food allergies) or type 1 diabetes compared to those who received human breast milk or a standard cow’s milk formula.

The researchers also found no evidence to support an FDA-approved claim that a partially hydrolyzed formula could reduce the risk of the skin disorder eczema, or another conclusion that hydrolyzed formula could prevent an allergy to cow’s milk.

Both Marino and Ponda believe that, based on the new report, it may be time to revisit guidelines that recommend hydrolyzed formula.

“It is interesting that this [review] also finds conflict-of-interest and bias in many of the published studies” that supported the effectiveness of hydrolyzed formulas, Marino said.

His opinion? “Most kids will have their best shot at a healthy life being raised on human breast milk,” Marino said.

Ponda agreed that “the current recommendations might need to be revised.” And she added, “even if there is no harm in using these formulas, they are often more costly and harder to find in the grocery stores.”

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on infant formula.

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