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Health Benefits

Supporting the child’s healthy growth

Between the ages of one and five, children change rapidly as they develop vital motor and cognitive skills. In these early years, adequate uptake of minerals such as iron and calcium is important for healthy growth 31EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies. Calcium and bone growth – Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to calcium and bone growth pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. EFSA J. 6, 1–11 (2008). 32EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to magnesium and electrolyte balance (ID 238), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 240, 247, 248), neurotransmission and muscle contraction including heart muscle (ID 241, 242), cell division (I. EFSA J. 7, 1–20 (2009) 33EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to iron and formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin, oxygen transport, energy-yielding metabolism, function of the immune system, cognitive function and cell division pursuant to Artic. EFSA J. 7, 1–20 (2009). Find out how to support mineral uptake in young children with the help of FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ portfolio.

During the first years of life, children need sufficient calcium and phosphorous in their diet for healthy bone development, as well as iron and zinc to support normal cognitive function 31EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies. Calcium and bone growth – Scientific substantiation of a health claim related to calcium and bone growth pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. EFSA J. 6, 1–11 (2008). 32EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to magnesium and electrolyte balance (ID 238), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 240, 247, 248), neurotransmission and muscle contraction including heart muscle (ID 241, 242), cell division (I. EFSA J. 7, 1–20 (2009) 33EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to iron and formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin, oxygen transport, energy-yielding metabolism, function of the immune system, cognitive function and cell division pursuant to Artic. EFSA J. 7, 1–20 (2009). However, UNICEF reports that almost half of children under five worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies 147UNICEF, 2019, https://www.unicef.org/media/60831/file/SOWC-2019-ESA.pdf . This is such a widespread concern for child growth and development that it has become known as ‘hidden hunger’ 147UNICEF, 2019, https://www.unicef.org/media/60831/file/SOWC-2019-ESA.pdf  .

Leveraging GOS to support mineral uptake in young children

One of the ways in which iron deficiency in young children has been addressed is by offering products fortified with iron. However, supplemented iron is generally poorly absorbed in the gut 145Tondeur, M. C. et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 80, 1436–1444 (2004).. When unabsorbed iron reaches the colon, it can negatively impact the balance of bacterial communities in the gut microbiota 69Jaeggi, T. et al. Iron fortification adversely affects the gut microbiome, increases pathogen abundance and induces intestinal inflammation in Kenyan infants. Gut 64, 731–742 (2015).. This state of microbiota dysbiosis encourages the growth of pathogens, which can lead to infections and symptoms such as diarrhoea, as observed in studies conducted in parts of Africa and Asia 145Tondeur, M. C. et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 80, 1436–1444 (2004)..

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates used in infant and young child formula. Because they are indigestible by humans, they arrive in the gut intact. Here, they are fermented by bacteria such as Bifidobacteria – a process which produces metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This leads to a lower gut pH 9Ben, X.-M. et al. Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in infants. Chin. Med. J. (Engl). 117, 927–931 (2004) 133Sierra, C. et al. Prebiotic effect during the first year of life in healthy infants fed formula containing GOS as the only prebiotic: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. Eur. J. Nutr. 54, 89–99 (2014). in which both calcium and iron become more soluble, so the body can absorb them more easily. This is one of the mechanisms via which GOS can enhance mineral absorption 159Whisner, C. M. & Castillo, L. F. Prebiotics, Bone and Mineral Metabolism. Calcif. Tissue Int. 102, 443–479 (2018).

Research has revealed that consuming 5g of GOS each day can improve calcium absorption by 13% in young girls 161Whisner, C. M. et al. Galacto-oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and gut bifidobacteria in young girls: a double-blind cross-over trial. Br. J. Nutr. 110, 1292–303 (2013). and another clinical study demonstrated that 7.5g/day of GOS increased iron absorption by 62% in infants 118Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017). while mitigating the adverse effects of iron supplementation 118Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017).. So far, GOS is the only oligosaccharide source that has been clinically shown to enhance iron absorption in children 118Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017)..

Parents prioritise healthy growth during childhood

According to the latest parental insights study by FrieslandCampina Ingredients, not only is healthy infant growth a big priority for parents, but so is healthy growth and development during childhood (Innova Market Insights & RFC, 2020).

  • 59% of parents of children aged 1-5 report that healthy growth is their number one priority.
  • Parents recognise mineral uptake for other health benefits, too. Iron is one of the most desirable ingredients among parents looking to support their little ones’ immune health.

Related Ingredients

GOS

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Vivinal® GOS Syrup

  • Supports microbiota development

  • Improves stool consistency

  • Enhances mineral absorption

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Vivinal® GOS Powder

  • Infant food dry-blend grade

  • High purity, low in glucose

  • Facilitates recipe differentiation

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Vivinal® GOS Syrup Organic

  • Supports microbiota development

  • Certified organic in key markets

  • Suitable for organic infant milk formula

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Vivinal® GOS Easy Drying Syrup

  • Better drying properties, less drying capacity

  • Low in glucose

  • Easier to apply in challenging drying conditions

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Other Health Benefits

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Explore Our Areas of Expertise

Looking for young child formula solutions to support mineral uptake?

FrieslandCampina Ingredients provides unique ingredient solutions to support childrens’ growth and development throughout the early years. By leveraging our industry-leading expertise in GOS, we’re committed to making a difference by crafting innovative, affordable and optimised solutions. Discover our ingredient solutions that can support healthy growth for children all over the world by supporting gut health.

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