Parents know that good maternal and early life nutrition helps their little ones become healthy, thriving adults. At FrieslandCampina Ingredients, we provide infant and young child formula ingredient solutions that can support a wide spectrum of health benefits.
The gut plays an important role in infant health and wellbeing. Early life gut development and maturation, including microbiota development 173Zhuang L, Chen H, Zhang S, Zhuang J, Li Q, Feng Z. Intestinal Microbiota in Early Life and Its Implications on Childhood Health. Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics. 2019;17(1):13-25. doi:10.1016/j.gpb.2018.10.00, is needed for the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients 55Hamosh, M. (1996). Digestion in the Newborn. Clinics in Perinatology, 23(2), 191–209. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0095-5108(18)30238-0 , development of the immune system 97Martin, R., Nauta, A. J., Ben Amor, K., Knippels, L. M. J., Knol, J., & Garssen, J. (2010). Early life: Gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Beneficial Microbes. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2010.0027 and to ensure a first line of defence against threats from the external environment 79Kelly, D., King, T., & Aminov, R. (2007). Importance of microbial colonization of the gut in early life to the development of immunity. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 622(1), 58–69. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2007.03.011 97Martin, R., Nauta, A. J., Ben Amor, K., Knippels, L. M. J., Knol, J., & Garssen, J. (2010). Early life: Gut microbiota and immune development in infancy. Beneficial Microbes. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2010.0027. The gut influences many different aspects of health in early life and is driven by its colonisation by beneficial micro-organisms, i.e. the establishment of the infant’s gut microbiota 173Zhuang L, Chen H, Zhang S, Zhuang J, Li Q, Feng Z. Intestinal Microbiota in Early Life and Its Implications on Childhood Health. Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics. 2019;17(1):13-25. doi:10.1016/j.gpb.2018.10.00.
For 75 years, FrieslandCampina Ingredients has been committed to exploring, understanding and substantiating health benefits, and bringing to customers a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients that are backed by robust science, respond to the preferences of parents and healthcare practitioners and help babies grow up healthy.
Around 70% of the immune system is active in the gut 162Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. Nutr. 2021;13(3). doi:10.3390/nu13030886. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs*) are infant formula ingredients that have been shown to support the development of the immune system via the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut 6Arslanoglu 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 125Ranucci 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 16Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: Every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. Published online 2012. doi:10.1093/glycob/cws074. In addition, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and bovine milk-derived ingredients lactoferrin and milk fat globular membrane (MFGM) have all been found to have immunity-related benefits in infants, including by preventing pathogen adhesion as shown in vitro 22Chen, K., Chai, L., Li, H., Zhang, Y., Xie, H. M., Shang, J., Tian, W., Yang, P., & Jiang, A. C. (2016). Effect of bovine lactoferrin from iron-fortified formulas on diarrhea and respiratory tract infections of weaned infants in a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition, 32(2), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2015.08.010 80King, J. C., Cummings, G. E., Guo, N., Trivedi, L., Readmond, B. X., Keane, V., Feigelman, S., & De Waard, R. (2007). A double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in bottle-fed infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 44(2), 245–251. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mpg.0000243435.54958.68 104Motoki, N., Mizuki, M., Tsukahara, T., Miyakawa, M., Kubo, S., Oda, H., Tanaka, M., Yamauchi, K., Abe, F., & Nomiyama, T. (2020). Effects of Lactoferrin-Fortified Formula on Acute Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children Aged 12–32 Months: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8(May), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00233 85Laucirica, D. R., Triantis, V., Schoemaker, R., Estes, M. K., & Ramani, S. (2017). Milk Oligosaccharides Inhibit Human Rotavirus Infectivity in MA104 Cells. Journal of Nutrition, 147(9), 1709–1714 157Weichert, S., Jennewein, S., Hüfner, E., Weiss, C., Borkowski, J., Putze, J., & Schroten, H. (2013). Bioengineered 2’-fucosyllactose and 3-fucosyllactose inhibit the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enteric pathogens to human intestinal and respiratory cell lines. Nutrition Research (New York, N.Y.), 33(10), 831–838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2013.07.009, by influencing the profile of immune cells and cytokines 38Field, 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 and more.
Discomfort is a common issue when it comes to a baby’s digestive health. Several infant milk formula ingredients, including GOS, hydrolysed milk proteins and milk fat, have been shown to support digestive health in different ways. These include supporting a balanced microbiota 6Arslanoglu 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, improving nutrient bioavailability and absorption 92López-López, A., Castellote-Bargalló, A. I., Campoy-Folgoso, C., Rivero-Urgel, M., Tormo-Carnicé, R., Infante-Pina, D., & López-Sabater, M. C. (2001). The influence of dietary palmitic acid triacylglyceride position on the fatty acid, calcium and magnesium contents of at term newborn faeces. Early Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3782(01)00210-9, and benefitting stool consistency and transit time 133Sierra C, Bernal MJ, Blasco J, 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. Published online 2015. doi:10.1007/s00394-014-0689- 164Williams T, Choe Y, Price P, et al. Tolerance of formulas containing prebiotics in healthy, term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Published online 2014. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000513.
We’re learning more than ever about baby brain development and the so-called gut-brain axis 135Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). Published online 2020. Fermentation of non-digestible oligosaccharides – such as GOS and HMOs – by the gut microbiota leads to the release of metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and neurotransmitters 126Ratsika A, Codagnone MC, O’Mahony S, Stanton C, Cryan JF. Priming for life: Early life nutrition and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Nutrients. Published online 2021. doi:10.3390/nu13020423. By using specific gut-brain pathways, these components can have a direct or indirect influence on neuro-cognitive development and brain function 90Liu F, Li J, Wu F, Zheng H, Peng Q, Zhou H. Altered composition and function of intestinal microbiota in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry. Published online 2019.. Nutritional lipids, including DHA, ARA and components of MFGM, also play a valuable role in cognitive health through their impact on brain development 62Innis, S. M. (2008). Dietary omega 3 fatty acids and the developing brain. In Brain Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2008.08.078 81Koletzko, B., Boey, C. C. M., Campoy, C., Carlson, S. E., Chang, N., Guillermo-Tuazon, M. A., Joshi, S., Prell, C., Quak, S. H., Sjarif, D. R., Su, Y., Supapannachart, S., Yamashiro, Y., & Osendarp, S. J. M. (2014). Current information and asian perspectives on long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy: Systematic review and practice recommendations from an early nutrition academy workshop. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1159/000365767 82Koletzko, B., Bergmann, K., Thomas Brenna, J., Calder, P. C., Campoy, C., Clandinin, M. T., Colombo, J., Daly, M., Decsi, T., Demmelmair, H., Domellöf, M., Fidlermis, N., Gonzalez-Casanova, I., Van Goudoever, J. B., Hadjipanayis, A., Hernell, O., Lapillonne, A., Mader, S., Martin, C. R., … Carlson, S. E. (2020). Should formula for infants provide arachidonic acid along with DHA? A position paper of the European Academy of Paediatrics and the Child Health Foundation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz252 and cognitive performance 35Li, 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 142Timby, N., Domellöf, E., Hernell, O., Lönnerdal, B., & Domellöf, M. (2014). Neurodevelopment, nutrition, and growth until 12 mo of age in infants fed a low-energy, low-proteinformula supplemented with bovine milk fat globule membranes: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.113.064295 143Timby, 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 , among others.
Between the ages of one and five, children change rapidly as they grow and develop vital motor and cognitive skills. In these early years, sufficient micronutrient intake is essential for the normal development of bones 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) and cognitive function 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) GOS have been shown to indirectly enhance the solubility of minerals in the gut, thereby helping to optimize their absorption 159Whisner CM, Castillo LF. Prebiotics, Bone and Mineral Metabolism. Calcif Tissue Int. Published online 2018. doi:10.1007/s00223-017-0339-3. Meanwhile, demineralized whey protein ingredients enable formulators to precisely balance mineral content in final applications and comply with legislation that varies between countries and regions.
Cows’ milk protein is one of the allergens most commonly reported in infants and toddlers 5Annesi-Maesano, I., Fleddermann, M., Hornef, M., von Mutius, E., Pabst, O., Schaubeck, M., & Fiocchi, A. (2021). Allergic diseases in infancy: I – Epidemiology and current interpretation. In World Allergy Organization Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100591. To support healthy growth even in children that have a cows’ milk allergy (CMA), hydrolysed milk protein ingredients offer a solution. They deliver the nutritional benefits of cows’ milk protein, without the components that cause adverse reactions in infants suffering from CMA.
* Not from human milk
FrieslandCampina Ingredients is proud to play a global leadership role in the infant milk formula industry, backed by over 75 years of experience in ingredients manufacturing and research in early life nutrition. We never stop bringing the future forward through innovation-get in touch for more exclusive insights into our health benefit areas and latest developments.
