Terms explained simply
We have compiled a list of the most important nutrients for you. Some of these are found in our products and some in other foods. Following a healthy diet – for you and your child's sake – is a matter that is close to our hearts.

ABC of nutrition

You can read about the positive effects of certain nutrients here, plus information on deficiency symptoms and the daily healthy dose for you and your child.

  • A
    • Anhydrous milk fat (AMF)
      • AMF is a natural milk fat obtained from the cream of fresh cow's milk. Besides β-palmitate (beta-palmitate or SN2-palmitate), AMF contains fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and cholesterol.
  • B
    • Beta-Palmitate
      • In human milk nearby half of the calories are supplied by fat. About 98% is in the form of tri-glycerides containing 3 fatty acids attached to glycerol.
    • Biotin
      • Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin of the B-complex also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. The "H" in vitamin H comes from the German words for hair and skin, hence the alternative name beauty vitamin.
  • C
    • Calcium
      • Chlorid, ein Mineralstoff mit dem Symbol Cl, ist wie Natrium und Kalium ein Elektrolyt. Der Körper benötigt Elektrolyten zur Regulierung der Nerven- und Muskelfunktion und zur Erhaltung des Wasser- und Säure-Basen-Haushalts.
    • Carob bean gum
      • Locust bean gum is used in the food industry as a thickening and gelling agent. It is a soluble, viscous, indigestible but fermentable dietary fibre.
    • Chloride
      • Chloride is an electrolyte, like sodium and potassium. The human body uses electrolytes for regulating nerve and muscle function and to maintain the water and acid-base balance.
    • Choline
      • Choline is a chemical compound that is classed as an semi-essential compound for humans. Dietary intake is important in times of increased need.
    • Copper
      • Copper is a trace element with the symbol Cu. It is a component of many body proteins and found throughout the body: most of the copper is located in the liver, bones and muscle, but traces occur in all body tissues.
  • F
    • Fat
      • Fat, carbohydrates and protein are the three main macronutrients.
    • Fibre
      • Dietary fibres are non-digestible food components and are a type of carbohydrate. They are made up of long chains of sugars that cannot be broken down (digested) by the human body.
    • Fluoride
      • Fluoride (symbol F) is a trace element. It is found mainly in the bones and teeth.
    • Folate
      • Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the vitamin B complex. The terms folate and folic acid are often
  • H
    • HMO
      • After lactose and fat, HMOs are the third largest component of breast milk. They are a complex mixture of indigestible carbohydrates and have a high structural diversity.
  • I
    • Inositol
      • The human body has the ability to create inositol from glucose. In certain phases of life (growth in infancy and in children), the body has an increased need for inositol, which should be additionally covered by the diet.
    • Iodine
      • Iodine (symbol I) is a trace element. The thyroid gland contains the largest amount of iodine in the human body.
    • Iron
      • Most of the body’s iron is found in red blood cells (in haemoglobin). It gives blood its red colour.
  • L
    • Lactose
      • Lactose or milk sugar is a disaccharide and is the main carbohydrate in mammalian milk. Breast milk has the highest lactose content of all mammalian milks, averaging 7 g/100 ml.
  • M
    • Magnesium
      • Magnesium (symbol Mg) is a mineral. About 50% of the total magnesium in the body is found in the bones and about 25% in the muscles.
    • Maltodextrin
      • Maltodextrin is a glucose polymer. It is usually composed of a mixture of chains that vary from 3-20 glucose units long.
    • Manganesio
      • Manganese (symbol Mn) is an essential trace element. It is found mainly in the bones, liver, kidneys, pancreas and brain.
  • N
    • Niacin
      • Niacin (or vitamin B3) is a water-soluble vitamin of the B-complex. Niacin contributes to energy production, proper functioning of the nervous system, normal skin and mucous membranes, proper psychological functions, reduction of tiredness.
    • Nucleotides
      • Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of our genetic material, DNA and RNA. They are therefore present in all body cells, including adequate amounts in breast milk.
  • P
    • Pantothenic acid
      • Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the vitamin B complex, also known as vitamin B5. It can also be produced in small (insufficient) amounts by gut bacteria.
    • Phosphorus
      • Phosphorus (symbol P) is a mineral. Phosphorus is present in the body as phosphate and is the second most abundant mineral after calcium.
    • Potassium
      • Potassium is a mineral with the symbol K. Potassium is an electrolyte, like sodium and chloride. The human body uses electrolytes for regulating nerve and muscle function and to maintain the water and acid-base balance.
    • Probiotics
      • Probiotics are living, non-disease-causing microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) that can occur naturally in food, are added to food or are available as supplements.
    • Protein
      • Proteins are the third pillar of macronutrients, along with carbohydrates and fats. The building blocks of proteins are amino acids; short chains of amino acids are called peptides.
  • R
    • Riboflavin
      • Chlorid, ein Mineralstoff mit dem Symbol Cl, ist wie Natrium und Kalium ein Elektrolyt. Der Körper benötigt Elektrolyten zur Regulierung der Nerven- und Muskelfunktion und zur Erhaltung des Wasser- und Säure-Basen-Haushalts.
  • S
    • Selenium
      • Selenium is a trace element with the symbol Se. It is found in all tissues and required for a number of selenium-dependent enzymes called seleno-proteins.
    • Sodium
      • Sodium (symbol Na) is an electrolyte and is present in all cells and body fluids (blood and fluid surrounding cells). Healthy kidneys maintain a constant level of sodium in the body by regulating the amount excreted through urine and sweat.
  • T
    • Taurine
      • Taurine is found in breast milk and can be produced by the body itself. However, new-born infants do not acquire the ability to produce taurine until later, which makes it important to acquire taurine through the diet.
  • V
    • Vitamin A
      • Vitamin A is a collective term for various fat-soluble chemical compounds called retinoids.
    • Vitamin B1
      • Riboflavin (also known as vitamin B1) is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the vitamin B complex. Thiamine was the first B vitamin to be discovered, hence it is also known as vitamin B1.
    • Vitamin B12
      • Cobalamins are compounds which are also known as vitamin B12. They are water-soluble vitamins, contain the mineral cobalt and occur naturally mainly in animal-based food products.
    • Vitamin B6
      • Vitamin B6 (or pyridoxine) comprises a group of several chemical compounds that are water soluble. It is also sensitive and breaks down when exposed to heat and sunlight.
    • Vitamin C
      • Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin and an essential nutrient.
    • Vitamin D
      • Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins and includes two main forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
    • Vitamin E
      • Vitamin E is the name given to a group of fat-soluble compounds with unique antioxidant properties. The natural form alpha-tocopherol (or α-tocopherol) is the only compound used by the human body.
    • Vitamin K
      • The K vitamins are a group of fat-soluble vitamins: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone).
  • Z
    • Zinc
      • Zinc (symbol Zn) is a trace element, which means the body only needs small amounts of it. Zinc is present in every cell of the body.