Natural Ingredients and 100% Corn Syrup Solid Free
Unlike flavored versions of EleCare Jr, Neocate Junior, and similar amino acid formulas, we never use artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners in Essential Care Jr. We ensure that our protein, carbohydrates, and fats are developed from natural sources to help support formula tolerance and eliminate the worry of consuming large amounts of low cost pro-inflammatory ingredients. We guarantee premium quality in our ingredients.
Essential Care Jr. Ingredients
(Click on a Product Below to See the Full Nutritional Label)
Lutein is a carotenoid that is naturally found in a variety of fruits and vegetables that may be limited in a child’s diet. Ensuring adequate lutein in the diet at an early age may provide protective benefits during a key time for eye and brain development. Lutein has also been found to be important for cognitive status across the life stages.₈
DHA is the primary omega-3 fatty acid in the brain’s gray matter that represents about 15% of all fatty acids in the human frontal cortex. Studies at different stages of life indicate that DHA supports normal IQ and preserves visuospatial memory and learning.₉
Our Essential Care Jr. contains enough DHA to satisfy > 95% of the recommended daily dose of DHA for children ages 1-3 years with as little as 2, 8 oz servings per day.
DHA and Lutein that May Support Brain and Eye Development
We are the only amino acid-based formula with tapioca as our key carbohydrate source because they are low-FODMAP ingredients. High-FODMAP carbohydrates are quickly fermented by bacteria in the GI tract and may lead to abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation in some individuals.₁ We have a formula you can depend on for those following the Low FODMAP diet for IBS or those with sensitivities to certain carbohydrates.
Low-FODMAP Carbohydrates
The Highest Purity AjiPure® Amino Acids
Our formulas contain Ajinomoto’s AjiPure® pharmaceutical-grade amino acids, the world’s highest purity vegetarian-source amino acids available on the global market. AjiPure® amino acids are non-GMO and never animal tested.
A protein typically contains 20 amino acids that are broken up into essential and non-essential amino acid groups. Essential amino acids are required in the diet due to the body’s inability to make them in adequate amounts. Inadequate provision of just one essential amino acid can limit protein synthesis. Essential Care Jr. provides an average of 60% more essential amino acids per calorie than other competitive products*.
* Neocate Junior, Elecare Jr, Alfamino Junior, and PurAmino Jr
Higher Levels of Essential Amino Acids
EAA-40L™ is a proprietary blend of 9 essential amino acids containing 40% leucine, the signaling amino acid for protein synthesis. Leucine can help synthesize muscle protein in smaller amounts than in naturally occurring food. Our formula contains 3 grams of EAA-40L™ per 8-ounce serving. In a study, a single dose of 3 grams of an essential amino acid mixture with 40% leucine promoted better muscle synthesis than 20 grams of whey protein.₄
EAA-40L™ With 40% Leucine to Enhance Muscle Protein Synthesis
Highest Amount of Protein – 4g / 100 calories
Children requiring supplemental amino acid formulas are often on restricted diets that may make consuming adequate protein difficult. Essential Care Jr. contains 25% more protein per calorie than other AA formulas. This helps to ensure adequate protein for growth.
The WHO/FAO Guidelines recommend healthy children up to age 18 consume 10-30% of their daily calories from intact protein. Due to the quick absorption of amino acids, only 70-75% are utilized.₅ Essential Care Jr. provides 12% of calories from utilized protein, while the leading amino acid formulas* provide an average of only 9% of calories from utilized protein.
* Neocate Junior, Elecare Jr, Alfamino Junior, and PurAmino Jr
Medium-chain triglycerides, or “MCTs,” are more easily absorbed. When a child is suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder such as short bowel syndrome, pancreatic insufficiency, or liver disease, or when they are transitioning off TPN, the more readily absorbed MCTs are an excellent source of calories, especially in the setting of malabsorption, which is common in these conditions. Essential Care Jr. contains higher amounts of MCTs due to concern for increased gastrointestinal distress when given in excess amounts as a supplemental source.₃
Fat Blend with 35% MCTs
The Only Amino Acid Formula with This Unique Blend Designed to Support Healthy Stools Without the Uncomfortable Side Effects
We are the only formula that contains a blend to promote a healthy GI tract. Unlike other formulas, Essential Care Jr.’s blend is slow to ferment and contains both soluble and insoluble forms. Ingredients that are quickly fermented may cause GI symptoms including abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea.
Bone Health Blend with Vitamin K2 and Low Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL)
Essential Care Jr. is the only amino acid-based formula for allergy and GI conditions that contains Vitamin K2, a fat-soluble vitamin that may be effective in increasing bone mineral density. It is involved in calcium transport, preventing calcium deposition in the lining of blood vessel walls and may help to improve bone density.₆
PRAL is the remaining acid load in the blood that must be buffered by the kidneys, lungs, and bone to maintain normal pH. Medical formulas with positive PRAL have higher renal net acid loads, which may promote bone loss.₇ Essential Care Jr. has a calculated PRAL that is three times lower than the leading amino acid formulas for allergy and GI conditions and is specifically designed to optimize bone health.
DHA and Lutein that May Support Brain and Eye Development
Lutein is a carotenoid that is naturally found in a variety of fruits and vegetables that may be limited in a child’s diet. Ensuring adequate lutein in the diet at an early age may provide protective benefits during a key time for eye and brain development. Lutein has also been found to be important for cognitive status across the life stages.₇
DHA is the primary omega-3 fatty acid in the brain’s gray matter that represents about 15% of all fatty acids in the human frontal cortex. Studies at different stages of life indicate that DHA supports normal IQ and preserves visuospatial memory and learning.₈
Our Essential Care Jr. contains enough DHA to satisfy > 95% of the recommended daily dose of DHA for children ages 1-3 years with as little as 2, 8 oz servings per day.
NO Corn Syrup Solids!
It is true, but hard to believe: Over HALF of the ingredients in each can of EleCare Jr, Alfamino Junior, and PurAmino Jr formulas are Corn Syrup Solids. Look for yourself – it is the first ingredient shown on the Ingredient List panel on these cans. That means over HALF of what your child would consume is Corn Syrup Solids! And we know many parents are concerned that corn and corn syrup solids may contribute to your child’s food and formula sensitivity/intolerance. Essential Care Jr. is the only powdered amino acid formula refusing to use any corn syrup solids and instead uses low fermentable carbohydrate sources to support your child’s energy needs.
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EAA-40L™ With 40% Leucine to Enhance Muscle Protein Synthesis
EAA-40L™ is a proprietary blend of 9 essential amino acids containing 40% leucine, the signaling amino acid for protein synthesis. Leucine can help synthesize muscle protein in smaller amounts than in naturally occurring food. Our formula contains 3 grams of EAA-40L™ per 8-ounce serving. In a study, a single dose of 3 grams of an essential amino acid mixture with 40% leucine promoted better muscle synthesis than 20 grams of whey protein.₃
Highest Amount of Protein - 4g / 100 calories
Children requiring supplemental amino acid formulas are often on restricted diets that may make consuming adequate protein difficult. Essential Care Jr. contains 25% more protein per calorie than other AA formulas. This helps to ensure adequate protein for growth.
The WHO/FAO Guidelines recommend healthy children up to age 18 consume 10-30% of their daily calories from intact protein. Due to the quick absorption of amino acids, only 70-75% are utilized.₄ Essential Care Jr. provides 12% of calories from utilized protein, while the leading amino acid formulas* provide an average of only 9% of calories from utilized protein.
* Neocate Junior, Elecare Jr, Alfamino Junior, and PurAmino Jr
Higher Levels of Essential Amino Acids
A protein typically contains 20 amino acids that are broken up into essential and non-essential amino acid groups. Essential amino acids are required in the diet due to the body’s inability to make them in adequate amounts. Inadequate provision of just one essential amino acid can limit protein synthesis. Essential Care Jr. provides an average of 60% more essential amino acids per calorie than other competitive products.*
* Neocate Junior, Elecare Jr, Alfamino Junior, and PurAmino Jr
Low-FODMAP Carbohydrates We are the only amino acid-based formula with tapioca as our key carbohydrate source because they are low-FODMAP ingredients. High-FODMAP carbohydrates are quickly fermented by bacteria in the GI tract and may lead to abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation in some individuals.₁ We have a formula you can depend on for those following the Low FODMAP diet for IBS or those with sensitivities to certain carbohydrates.
Bone Health Blend with Vitamin K2 and Low Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL)
Essential Care Jr. is the only amino acid-based formula for allergy and GI conditions that contains Vitamin K2, a fat-soluble vitamin that may be effective in increasing bone mineral density. It is involved in calcium transport, preventing calcium deposition in the lining of blood vessel walls and may help to improve bone density.₅
PRAL is the remaining acid load in the blood that must be buffered by the kidneys, lungs, and bone to maintain normal pH. Medical formulas with positive PRAL have higher renal net acid loads, which may promote bone loss.₆ Essential Care Jr. has a calculated PRAL that is three times lower than the leading amino acid formulas for allergy and GI conditions and is specifically designed to optimize bone health.
The Only Amino Acid Formula with This Unique Blend Designed to Support Healthy Stools Without the Uncomfortable Side Effects
We are the only formula that contains a blend to promote a healthy GI tract. Unlike other formulas, Essential Care Jr.’s blend is slow to ferment and contains both soluble and insoluble forms. Ingredients that are quickly fermented may cause GI symptoms including abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea.
The Highest Purity AjiPure® Amino Acids
Our formulas contain Ajinomoto’s AjiPure® pharmaceutical-grade amino acids, the world’s highest purity vegetarian-source amino acids available on the global market. AjiPure® amino acids are non-GMO and never animal tested.
References:
- Cherbut, C., Michel, C., Raison, V., Kravtchenko, T., & Severine, M. (2003). Acacia Gum is a Bifidogenic Dietary Fibre with High Digestive Tolerance in Healthy Humans. Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease,15(1), 43-50.
- Shah ND, Limketkai BN. The use of Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Gastrointestinal Disorders. Pediatric Gastroenterology 2017; 20-28.
- Bukhari SSI, Phillips BE, et al. Intake of low-dose leucine-rich essential amino acids stimulates muscle anabolism equivalently to bolus whey protein in older women at rest and after exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015;308:1056-1065.
- Webb KE. Amino acid and peptide absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Fed Proc 1986;45(8):2268-2271.
- Plaza SM, Lamson DW. Vitamin K2 in Bone Metabolism and Osteoporosis. Alternative Medicine Review 2005;10:24-35.
- Stroup BM, Sawin EA, et al. Amino Acid Medical Foods Provide a High Dietary Acid Load and Increase Urinary Excretion of Renal Net Acid, Calcium, and Magnesium Compared with Glycomacropeptide Medical Foods in Phenylketonuria. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism 2017;1-12.
- Long AC, Kuchan M, et al. Lutein as an Ingredient in Pediatric Nutritionals. Journal of AOAC International 2019;102:1-10.
- Kuratko CN, Barrett EC, et al. The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review. Nutrients 2013;5:2777-2810.