How Do Human Milk Oligosaccharides Work and Why Do We Care for Them?

Breastmilk contains a unique type of milk sugar called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The most important thing to realize about HMOs is that we need a way of breaking them down. But friendly gut microorganisms can. Like a prebiotic, HMOs encourage the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

HMOs Promote Good Digestive Health in Infants:

More than 200 unique HMOs exist now, according to some estimates. HMOs are the third most prevalent component of breastfeeding, after lactose and fat. Simply put, the abundance of these unique sugars in breast milk demonstrates their significance to infant wellness. HMOs promote infant digestive health in a couple of ways.

Oligosaccharides in Human Milk Boost Good Gut Bacteria:

HMOs have a prebiotic effect. This means they nourish beneficial bacteria in a baby's digestive tract, such as Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides.

In digesting HMOs, bacteria make SCFA, which has its own set of advantages. SCFAs, for instance, contribute to:

• Keep your intestines healthy
• Make a coating of mucus to shield the intestines
• Reduce inflammation

Testing the composition of a baby's digestive tract for the presence of beneficial species capable of breaking down HMOs is one technique to gauge the health of the infant's immune system.

The immune system is a direct target of HMOs. As an illustration, they can assist in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Streptococcus agalactiae, sometimes called group B Streptococcus or GBS, is a bacterium that HMOs can inhibit. Breastmilk has also been demonstrated to prevent rotavirus infection.

In addition, studies have shown that HMOs can:

• Induce cell death (apoptosis) in intestinal cells designed to die
• Modify the expression of genes in specific cell types
• Bring down the number of bothersome and hostile microorganisms

Formula-only HMO Enrolment Strategies:

Thankfully, infant formula manufacturers have recognized the importance of human milk oligosaccharides.

1. Most commonly, 2'-FL is the HMO added to the formula.

There are advantages, although the HMO content is much lower than breastmilk. For instance, research indicates that infants fed 2′-FL-containing infant formula have an anti-inflammatory response similar to breastfed infants.

2. Breastfeeding remains the optimal choice if it's possible.

This is because HMO concentrations in breast milk fluctuate over time. Colostrum, the first milk to arrive after birth, is loaded in HMOs. Maximum concentrations reach 20.0 g/L, compared to 12.9% in fully developed milk.

The amount of HMOs the formula provides is negligible and remains constant regardless of the baby's age or the formula stage utilized.

3. Test a Baby's Gut Microbes to See How Well They Digest HMOs

If you're concerned about whether your baby's formula or breastmilk is doing enough to promote healthy gut bacteria, consider ordering a Tiny Health infant gut test.

The good news is that microbiome testing can determine what kinds of bacteria flourish in a given environment. And if species capable of digesting HMOs like Bifidobacterium require further help.

Conclusion:

HMO human milk oligosaccharides are complex sugar in breast milk. Breast milk solids are the third greatest component after fat and lactose. However, they serve no nutritional purpose. 

Improvements in HMO function, promotion of good bacteria growth, and prevention of pathogen invasion all contribute directly to increased immune response.

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