Prebiotic oligosaccharides are an abundant bioactive component in human milk that play a key role in the development of the infant brain, gut microbiota and immune system.
Prebiotic oligosaccharides are non-digestible carbohydrates that resist stomach acid. They escape digestion and pass into the colon to act as nutrients to the friendly bacteria (or probiotics) that reside there, encouraging probiotics to flourish1.
Human milk contains naturally occurring prebiotic oligosaccharides (HMO*) that appear to play a key role in the development of the infant brain, gut microbiota and immune system14.
| Breastmilk | Human milk oligosaccharides naturally present in considerable amounts in human milk |
| Infant milk formulae | A GOS/FOS mixture, and GOS alone are added to some infant milk formulas |
| Asparagus, bananas, garlic, barley, chicory, onion, artichokes, leeks, and tomatoes | Inulin is a naturally present oligosaccharide in these foods |
| Breakfast cereals | Some cereals contain prebiotics and fibre |
| Medicines | Lactulose |
Fig.1 – Sources and examples of prebiotics
Adapted from Gibson GR et al. 20042
What are the health benefits of prebiotics?
Nine studies are cited in literature investigating the effect of different types of prebiotic oligosaccharides supplementation in infants. These studies showed that, depending on the age of the infant and the prebiotic oligosaccharides used, effects may be seen on immune cells3,4, in particular on IgE levels5. Results on the prevention and management of diarrhea and constipation vary, with four6-8,13 out of six3,6-9,13 studies showing positive results. The role of prebiotics in reducing respiratory tract infections, fever and use of antibiotics also looks promising with fewer infections,6,10 reduced use of antibiotics6,7,11,12 and reduced episodes of fever7,11,12 seen in formula-fed infants supplemented with prebiotic oligosaccharides than in those who did not receive any supplementation.
Pioneering prebiotic research
Prebiotic oligosaccharides are an abundant bioactive component in human milk. For infants who are unable to be breastfed, Danone Nutricia Research has developed a unique and patented blend of prebiotic – short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides, namely scGOS/lcFOS (9:1). The health benefits of scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) in early life are validated in over 30 clinical studies. Described in more than 55 scientific publications, these include:
- Reduced incidence of allergic symptoms, such as atopic dermatitis11-13
- Increased level of healthy gut bacteria and reduced level of potentially harmful bacteria15
- Reduced occurrence of infections16,17
- Improved stool frequency and consistency19
Danone Nutricia Research has also demonstrated the favorable health benefits of this specific mixture of prebiotics, resulting in positive short- and long-term health improvements18.
*HMO: Human milk oligosaccharides
References
- Wopereis, Harm, et al. “The first thousand days–intestinal microbiology of early life: establishing a symbiosis.” Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 25.5 (2014): 428-438.
- Gibson GR, Probert HM, Loo JV, Rastall RA, Roberfroid MB. Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: updating the concept of prebiotics. Nutr Res Rev 2004; 17(2):259-75
- Duggan C, Penny ME, Hibberd P, Gil A, Huapaya A, Cooper A et al.Oligofructose-supplemented infant cereal: two randomized, blinded, community-based trials in Peruvian infants. Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 77(4):937-42
- Bakker-Zierikzee AM, et al. Faecal SIgA secretion in infants fed on pre- or probiotic infant formula. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2006; 17(2): 134-40
- Ruiter, B., et al. “Maintenance of tolerance to cow’s milk in atopic individuals is characterized by high levels of specific immunoglobulin G4.” Clinical & Experimental Allergy 37.7 (2007): 1103-1110.
- Bruzzese, Eugenia, et al. “A formula containing galacto-and fructo-oligosaccharides prevents intestinal and extra-intestinal infections: an observational study.” Clinical Nutrition 28.2 (2009): 156-161.
- Waligora-Dupriet, A. J. et al. “Effect of oligofructose supplementation on gut microflora and well-being in young children attending a day care centre.” Int J Food Microbiol 113 (2007): 108-13.
- Agustina, Rina, et al. “The effect of early nutritional supplementation with a mixture of probiotic, prebiotic, fiber and micronutrients in infants with acute diarrhea in Indonesia.” Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition 16.3 (2007).
- Hoekstra, J. H., et al. “Oral rehydration solution containing a mixture of non-digestible carbohydrates in the treatment of acute diarrhea: a multicenter randomized placebo controlled study on behalf of the ESPGHAN working group on intestinal infections.” Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 39.3 (2004): 239-245.
- Puccio, Giuseppe, et al. “Clinical evaluation of a new starter formula for infants containing live Bifidobacterium longum BL999 and prebiotics.” Nutrition 23.1 (2007): 1-8.
- Arslanoglu, Sertac, et al. “Early dietary intervention with a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of allergic manifestations and infections during the first two years of life.” The Journal of nutrition 138.6 (2008): 1091-1095.
- Arslanoglu, S., et al. “Early Neutral Prebiotic Oligosaccharide Supplentation reduces the incidence of some allergic manifestations in the first 5 years of life.” J. Biol. Regul. Homeost. Agents 26 (2012): 49-59.
- Moro, Guido, et al. “A mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis during the first six months of age.” Archives of disease in childhood 91.10 (2006): 814-819.
- Zivkovic, Angela M., et al. “Human milk glycobiome and its impact on the infant gastrointestinal microbiota.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108.Supplement 1 (2011): 4653-4658.
- Shadid, Rania, et al. “Effects of galactooligosaccharide and long-chain fructooligosaccharide supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal microbiota and immunity—a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” The American journal of clinical nutrition 86.5 (2007): 1426-1437.
- Martin, Rocio, et al. “Early life: gut microbiota and immune development in infancy.” Beneficial microbes 1.4 (2010): 367-382.
- Jeurink, P. V., et al. “Human milk: a source of more life than we imagine.” Beneficial microbes 4.1 (2012): 17-30.
- Lenoir-Wijnkoop, I., et al. “Workshop Report: concepts and methods in the economics of nutrition–gateways to better economic evaluation of nutrition interventions.” British Journal of Nutrition 108.9 (2012): 1714-1720.
- Herrera, Alfonso R., et al. “OP-18 The combination of scGOS/lcFOS and fermented infant formula softens stools of infants compared to unfermented infant formula without scGOS/lcFOS.” Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Vol. 61. No. 4. LWW, 2015.
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