Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health
Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition during infancy and is associated with a broad range of health benefits. However, there remains a significant and persistent need for innovations in infant formula that will allow infants to access a wider spectrum of benefits available to breastfed infan...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3364 |
| _version_ | 1797513573056905216 |
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| author | David R. Hill Jo May Chow Rachael H. Buck |
| author_facet | David R. Hill Jo May Chow Rachael H. Buck |
| author_sort | David R. Hill |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition during infancy and is associated with a broad range of health benefits. However, there remains a significant and persistent need for innovations in infant formula that will allow infants to access a wider spectrum of benefits available to breastfed infants. The addition of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to infant formulas represents the most significant innovation in infant nutrition in recent years. Although not a direct source of calories in milk, HMOs serve as potent prebiotics, versatile anti-infective agents, and key support for neurocognitive development. Continuing improvements in food science will facilitate production of a wide range of HMO structures in the years to come. In this review, we evaluate the relationship between HMO structure and functional benefits. We propose that infant formula fortification strategies should aim to recapitulate a broad range of benefits to support digestive health, immunity, and cognitive development associated with HMOs in breastmilk. We conclude that acetylated, fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs likely confer important health benefits through multiple complementary mechanisms of action. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:19:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b4726b37a2ba4a0ba15e9a07f1c9b7eb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:19:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-b4726b37a2ba4a0ba15e9a07f1c9b7eb2023-11-22T19:27:23ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-09-011310336410.3390/nu13103364Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant HealthDavid R. Hill0Jo May Chow1Rachael H. Buck2Abbott Nutrition, 3300 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219, USAAbbott Nutrition, 3300 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219, USAAbbott Nutrition, 3300 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219, USABreastfeeding is the best source of nutrition during infancy and is associated with a broad range of health benefits. However, there remains a significant and persistent need for innovations in infant formula that will allow infants to access a wider spectrum of benefits available to breastfed infants. The addition of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to infant formulas represents the most significant innovation in infant nutrition in recent years. Although not a direct source of calories in milk, HMOs serve as potent prebiotics, versatile anti-infective agents, and key support for neurocognitive development. Continuing improvements in food science will facilitate production of a wide range of HMO structures in the years to come. In this review, we evaluate the relationship between HMO structure and functional benefits. We propose that infant formula fortification strategies should aim to recapitulate a broad range of benefits to support digestive health, immunity, and cognitive development associated with HMOs in breastmilk. We conclude that acetylated, fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs likely confer important health benefits through multiple complementary mechanisms of action.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3364human milk oligosaccharidebreastfeedinginfant formulapediatric nutrition |
| spellingShingle | David R. Hill Jo May Chow Rachael H. Buck Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health Nutrients human milk oligosaccharide breastfeeding infant formula pediatric nutrition |
| title | Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health |
| title_full | Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health |
| title_fullStr | Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health |
| title_short | Multifunctional Benefits of Prevalent HMOs: Implications for Infant Health |
| title_sort | multifunctional benefits of prevalent hmos implications for infant health |
| topic | human milk oligosaccharide breastfeeding infant formula pediatric nutrition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3364 |
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