Human milk oligosaccharides and infant growth: a global health approach (2024)

FAQs

How do oligosaccharides in human milk help protect the infant from infection? ›

They can act as an antiviral through a number of mechanisms, which were described earlier. They promote the maturation of the immune system and create a more balanced Th1/Th2 cytokine response. They may stimulate the immune response and maturation of epithelial cells to protect the host against virus infection.

HMOs are unique complex sugars found in breastmilk, however infants can't digest them. Gut microbes can utilize HMOs, thus, breastfeeding shapes the infant microbiome.

HMOs fulfil a variety of physiologic functions including potential support to the immune system, brain development, and cognitive function. Supplementing infant formula with HMOs is safe and promotes a healthy development of the infant revealing benefits for microbiota composition and infection prevention.

Major hMOSs of human milk are being tested as additives to infant formula. Trials of infant formulas containing one or two hMOS indicate safety and improved immune and metabolic benefits but no effect on infant growth.

In breastfed babies, HMOs are scientifically shown to positively affect the microbiome. "HMOs help strengthen immunity because they feed the beneficial bacteria in your baby's gut where 70 percent of the immune system exists," says Rachael Buck, Ph. D., an Abbott researcher and immune expert.

HMOs provide many benefits to infants, including regulating their metabolism, immune system, and brain development. Recent studies have emphasized that HMOs act as prebiotics by the metabolism of intestinal microorganisms to produce short-chain fatty acids, which are crucial for infant development.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), also known as human milk glycans, are short polymers of simple sugars that can be found in high concentrations in human breast milk.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant component of breast milk, after lactose and lipids. Amongst the synthetized HMOs, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) are widely studied and are considered safe for infant nutrition.

Compared to human milk, oligosaccharide concentrations in the milk of farm animals, such as cows, goats, and sheep are 100–1000-fold lower. In fact, these unique complex carbohydrate structures in human milk are virtually absent in cow's milk or any other farmed animal milk, and their variety is much lower [10].

Which formulas have HMOs? ›

Similac Pro-Advance, Similac Pro-Sensitive and Similac Pro-Total Comfort all have 2'-FL HMO. The 2'-FL HMO in Abbott's formulas is bio-structurally identical to the 2'-FL HMO found in mother's milk and it is produced in a similar way to the way some vitamins are made.

QUICK SUMMARY. The best baby formula is Enfamil, according to experts and parents from the What to Expect community, based on price, availability and ingredients. Other favorites include Kirkland, Aussie Bubs and Bobbie.

These organic compounds are difficult to digest, so consumption can lead to digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, or constipation.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are abundant in volume and in structural variety in human milk and yet the infant does not produce glycosidases capable of digesting these glycans raising the question of why the mother expends significant energy to create these structures.

Lactose should be the first baby formula ingredient

Most of the time, it should be lactose in a cow's milk formula. Lactose, or milk sugar, is the main source of carbohydrate nutrition in human breast milk. As such, your baby's formula should contain lactose as the first ingredient.

Breast milk contains protective immune factors, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) such as 2'-FL, that help build baby's developing immune system. HMOs are non-digestible carbohydrates that form the third most abundant solid component of breast milk.

The HMOs in mother's milk play key roles in the development of effective intestinal barrier function and the immune system, and certain HMOs may also play a role in the development of the baby's brain.

Glycans in human milk contain oligosaccharide moieties in their free and conjugated form, and many function as competitive inhibitors of pathogen binding, thereby protecting infants against infection.

What are HMOs? HMOs are complex carbohydrates, also known as targeted prebiotics. Unlike other commercial prebiotics such as GOS/FOS, HMOs are unique to breast milk and research suggests that they provide immune support to developing infants. HMOs have a unique structure which allows them to provide targeted benefits.