Human Milk Oligosaccharides: HMO Milk | DSM Human Nutrition (2024)

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What is HMO human milk oligosaccharides? ›

Human Milk Oligosaccharides Explained

HMOs are special prebiotics found naturally in a mother's breast milk. They are the most abundant solid ingredient in breast milk after fat and carbohydrates. In breastfed babies, HMOs are scientifically shown to positively affect the microbiome.

2'-FL HMO, or 2'-fucosyllactose (few-co-syl-lactose) human milk oligosaccharide (ol-i-goh-sak-uh-rahyd); is a prebiotic found naturally in breast milk. About 80 percent of mothers make 2'-FL in their breast milk. Excluding water, HMOs are the third most abundant ingredient in breast milk after fat and carbohydrates.

Summary. HMOs are a type of milk sugar found in mom's breastmilk. HMOs go undigested through your baby's digestive tract and feed your baby's gut microbes. HMOs can reduce the risk of viral and bacterial infections and help develop your baby's immune system.

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.

The most common side effects were mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as flatulence, abdominal pain and discomfort, and distension.

Oligosaccharides can strengthen your immune system, both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, their prebiotic action promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, which help fight off harmful bacteria ( 18 ).

They contribute to the development of the infant's microflora and immune system. By acting via various mechanisms, they protect against many infections and alleviate their course. They have been shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) shape the gut microbiota in infants by selectively stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria.

It is generally accepted that HMOs have prebiotic effects, selectively serving as a source of energy and nutrients for desired bacteria to colonize the infant intestine. Beyond these prebiotic effects, HMOs may very likely benefit the breastfed infant through multiple other mechanisms.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are unique, gut-strengthening nutrients, scientifically proven to support digestive health and immunity, which is closely linked to the gut.

What bacteria does HMO feed? ›

Breast milk contains prebiotic human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that preferentially feed beneficial gut bacteria, including Bifidobacterium [13].

The nutritionally closest animal milk to human breast milk is mare's milk, which differs from other animal milks in that it has different minerals and contains less calories. One of the milks recognized for being the most similar to breastfeeding is goat milk.

All HMOs derive from lactose, which can be decorated by four monosaccharides (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-galactose, sialic acid and/or L-fucose) to form an oligosaccharide. The HMO variability in human mothers depend on two specific enzymes, the α1-2-fucosyltransferase (FUT2) and the α1-3/4-fucosyltransferase (FUT3).

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.

A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage.

The monomers of milk oligosaccharides are D-glucose (Glc), D-galactose (Gal), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), L-fucose (Fuc) and sialic acid (NeuAc). The molecules are synthesized in the breast, starting with lactose at the reducing end (Kunz et al., 2000).