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Scientific study : Improve iron absorption through prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*)

 

According to Christides T et al.’s study, adding vitamin C and prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*) to infant formulas increases iron absorption. 

CONTEXT AND METHOD OF THE STUDY 

This in vitro study by Christides T et al. evaluates the iron bioavailability of four fortified young child formula (YCF) containing similar quantities of iron, but variable quantities of prebiotics (fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides; respectively FOS and GOS) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). 

Nutrients (mg/100 ml) unless stated otherwise  YCF Sample​ 
YCF AYCF BYCF CYCF D
Ascorbic acid (Vit C)15151012
Iron1,2​ (Feso4)1,2​ (Fe2 lactate)​ 1,1​ (Feso4)1,2​ (Feso4)​ 
FOS120Not indicated00
GOS1080Not indicated5000
Total FOS and GOS12001200N/A0
Fibre (g/100ml)0,80,80,50
Table 1: Composition of 4 fortified young child formulas (YCF) tested 

RESULTS 

  • The A and B young child formulas, containing higher concentrations of prebiotics and vitamin C, have the highest iron bioavailability. 
  • The GOS/FOS 9:1 (YCF A) mix increases iron absorption by 43% versus young child formula C which only contains 500 mg/100mL of GOS and 62% versus young child formula D without prebiotics. 
  • Adding prebiotics to young child formula D, which does not contain them, increases the bioavailability of iron
Figure 1:  Iron bioavailability for control samples (blank, GOS & FOS alone, iron alone, iron + vitamin C), of 4 young child formulas YCF A to D, and formulas C and D supplemented with GOS/FOS. Different letters between two values: significant difference (p < 0.074) 

In conclusion, infant formulas enriched with prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*) represent an effective nutritional strategy to optimize iron absorption and improve digestive tolerance in non-breastfed infants.


Find how prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS*) increase iron absorption:

References

*scGOS/lcFOS:  short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides. 

 

  1. Christides T et al. In vitro assessment of iron availability from commercial young child formula supplemented with prebiotics. Eur J Nutr 2018. DOI 10.1007/s00394-016-1353-3. 

BA20-464

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