Supporting infant immune health

How gut health ingredients can support immunity via the microbiota

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have been shown to stimulate the growth of Bifidobacteria in the infant gut by serving as a substrate. Upon fermentation of these oligosaccharides, Bifidobacteria produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which lower the gut pH, thereby promoting the further growth of beneficial bacteria

Ben, X.-M., Li, J., Feng, Z.-T., Shi, Z.-Y., Lu, Y.-D., Chen, R., & Zhou, X.-Y. (2008). Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14(42), 6564. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.6564



. These underlying mechanisms of action have been connected with specific infant health outcomes: studies of babies nourished with formula containing GOS found a reduced incidence of infections

Ranucci G, Buccigrossi V, Borgia E, et al. Galacto-oligosaccharide/polidextrose enriched formula protects against respiratory infections in infants at high risk of atopy: A randomized clinical trial. Nutrients. Published online 2018. doi:10.3390/nu10030286
Arslanoglu S, Moro GE, Boehm G. Early supplementation of prebiotic oligosaccharides protects formula-fed infants against infections during the first 6 months of life. J Nutr. Published online 2007. doi:10.1093/jn/137.11.2420



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Supporting immunity beyond the microbiota

Microbiota-independent immune-supporting effects have also been reported for ingredients like lactoferrin, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA).

Lactoferrin, a natural iron-binding milk glycoprotein, has been found to help the development and maturation of the gut during early life

Manzoni, P., Dall’Agnola, A., Tomé, D., Kaufman, D. A., Tavella, E., Pieretto, M., Messina, A., De Luca, D., Bellaiche, M., Mosca, A., Piloquet, H., Simeoni, U., Picaud, J. C., & Del Vecchio, A. (2018). Role of Lactoferrin in Neonates and Infants: An Update. American Journal of Perinatology, 35(6), 561–565. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1639359.



. It has been shown to reduce the risk of gut- and respiratory tract infections

Li, F., Wu, S. S., Berseth, C. L., Harris, C. L., Richards, J. D., Wampler, J. L., Zhuang, W., Cleghorn, G., Rudolph, C. D., Liu, B., Shaddy, D. J., & Colombo, J. (2019). Improved Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Associated with Bovine Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Lactoferrin in Infant Formula: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.08.030
Zavaleta, N., Kvistgaard, A. S., Graverholt, G., Respicio, G., Guija, H., Valencia, N., & Lönnerdal, B. (2011). Efficacy of a Complementary Food Enriched with a Milk Fat Globule Membrane Protein Fraction on Diarrhea, Anemia and Micronutrient Status in Infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e318225cdaf
Timby, N., Hernell, O., Vaarala, O., Melin, M., Lönnerdal, B., & Domellöf, M. (2015). Infections in infants fed formula supplemented with bovine milk fat globule membranes. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000000624



presumably via multiple mechanisms of action: by binding iron, which is essential for viability of several pathogens; by directly inactivating pathogens; by blocking receptors for pathogens on epithelial cells; and by immuno-modulatory effects via direct interactions with gut epithelial cells and immune cells

Kell, D. B., Heyden, E. L., & Pretorius, E. (2020). The Biology of Lactoferrin, an Iron-Binding Protein That Can Help Defend Against Viruses and Bacteria. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 1221. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules20069703 .



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Consisting of phospholipids, cholesterol and glycoproteins, the tri-layered membrane surrounding milk fat droplets in human and bovine milk is known as the MFGM. Whey-based MFGM ingredients have been shown to support immune function: a reduced prevalence of diarrhoea

Zavaleta, N., Kvistgaard, A. S., Graverholt, G., Respicio, G., Guija, H., Valencia, N., & Lönnerdal, B. (2011). Efficacy of a Complementary Food Enriched with a Milk Fat Globule Membrane Protein Fraction on Diarrhea, Anemia and Micronutrient Status in Infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e318225cdaf



and reduced episodes of middle ear infection

Timby, N., Hernell, O., Vaarala, O., Melin, M., Lönnerdal, B., & Domellöf, M. (2015). Infections in infants fed formula supplemented with bovine milk fat globule membranes. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000000624



were observed in clinical trials studying infants. As a combination, lactoferrin and MFGM supplementation resulted in a lower incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea

Li, F., Wu, S. S., Berseth, C. L., Harris, C. L., Richards, J. D., Wampler, J. L., Zhuang, W., Cleghorn, G., Rudolph, C. D., Liu, B., Shaddy, D. J., & Colombo, J. (2019). Improved Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Associated with Bovine Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Lactoferrin in Infant Formula: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.08.030



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GOS was shown to inhibit the adhesion of E. coli to human intestinal cells

Ambrogi, V., Bottacini, F., Sharry, J. Mac, Breen, J. Van, Keeffe, E. O., Walsh, D., Schoemaker, B., Cao, L., Kuipers, B., Hernandez-hernandez, O., Moreno, F. J., & Schoterman, M. (2021). Bifidobacterial β -Galactosidase-Mediated Production of Galacto-Oligosaccharides : Structural and Preliminary Functional Assessments. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12(750635), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.750635



. These data suggest that GOS may have a direct inhibitory effect on pathogen infection, shedding light on the role of oligosaccharides in supporting immunity in early life.

The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) DHA and ARA like those in our microencapsulated Vana-Sana™ range, can potentially help to modulate immune responses in infants

Richard, C., Lewis, E. D., & Field, C. J. (2016). Evidence for the essentiality of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid in the postnatal maternal and infant diet for the development of the infant’s immune system early in life. In Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0660



. Studies with infant milk formulas supplemented with a combination of DHA and ARA have shown a lower incidence of immunity-related issues or fewer doctor visits

Birch, E. E., Khoury, J. C., Berseth, C. L., Castañeda, Y. S., Couch, J. M., Bean, J., Tamer, R., Harris, C. L., Mitmesser, S. H., & Scalabrin, D. M. (2010). The Impact of Early Nutrition on Incidence of Allergic Manifestations and Common Respiratory Illnesses in Children. Journal of Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.01.002
Lapillonne, A., Pastor, N., Zhuang, W., & Scalabrin, D. M. F. (2014). Infants fed formula with added long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have reduced incidence of respiratory illnesses and diarrhea during the first year of life. BMC Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-168



. Moreover, early supplementation with LCPUFAs has been demonstrated to influence the profile of immune cells and cytokines in formula-fed infants, more closely mirroring the profile of infants who were breastfed

Field, C. J., Van Aerde, J. E., Robinson, L. E., & Clandinin, M. T. (2008). Effect of providing a formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on immunity in full-term neonates. British Journal of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114507791845 .



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Immunity comes first for parents

Immune health matters most to today’s mums, dads and caregivers, as new research from FrieslandCampina Ingredients and Innova Market Insights demonstrates

Innova Market Insights & RFC, Early Life Nutrition survey, 2020 



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* Not from human milk

** The scientific definition of a prebiotic is “A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”. Gibson. G.R.et al, Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Aug;14(8):491-502. Whether the claim prebiotic can be used on consumer products depends on local legislation.