ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 26, 2016
/PRNewswire/ -- Good nutrition helps build the foundation for a
child's ability to learn, grow and thrive. For babies, the best
nutrition is breast milk – there's nothing in the world like it –
in part due to special prebiotics called human milk
oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs, found naturally in breast milk, feed
good bacteria in the gut. Researchers believe they may be one of
the main reasons breastfeeding provides immune health benefits.
Now, a new study offers news about HMOs for parents who need or
choose to use infant formula.
The study, published today in the Journal of Nutrition,
shows that babies fed infant formula with a structurally identical
version of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), the most abundant HMO found
in most human milk, had an immune response more like breastfed
babies.1
Immune Support For Formula-Fed Babies
The
prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study looked at the
immune response of 200 babies divided into feeding groups –
exclusively breastfed, formula-fed without 2'-FL HMO and
formula-fed with 2'-FL HMO. After six weeks, results showed that
when comparing the breastfed group to the group fed formula without
2'-FL HMO, the levels of five immune markers were statistically
different. Levels of these same markers, however, were nearly
identical between the breastfed group and the group fed formula
with 2'-FL HMO.1
"The first year of life is an important window for immune system
development," said Edward Barrett,
Ph.D., study author and Director of Translational Research at
Lovelace Biomedical, part of the Lovelace Respiratory Research
Institute. "These data are compelling for doctors and parents alike
because we were able to show that the formula with 2'-FL HMO
narrowed the gap between breast milk and formula in ways never seen
before. We tested a number of immune markers, and found that
specific signals of immune responses were the same in the breastfed
and 2'-FL-formula fed babies."
Excluding water, HMOs are the third most abundant ingredient in
breast milk after fat and carbohydrates. There are hundreds of HMOs
in human milk, and they are more than 100 times more abundant in
breast milk than cow's milk.2 Like other prebiotics,
HMOs support gut health, where 70 percent of the immune system
exists.3 But, studies show that 2'-FL HMO also
circulates in the bloodstream throughout the body.4
"Nothing can replace breast milk. But for those moms who need or
choose to use formula, we are committed to providing the most
scientifically advanced nutrition," said Rachael Buck, Ph.D., associate research fellow
at Abbott and study author. "This latest research has led us to our
biggest scientific breakthrough in infant formula in nearly a
decade – the ability to nourish formula-fed babies with 2'-FL HMO.
While it doesn't mean babies won't experience the normal illnesses
that come with childhood, these data clearly show that formula with
2'-FL HMO can help strengthen babies' immune systems to be more
like breastfed babies."
The formula used in the study is available at major U.S.
retailers and the Abbott store as Similac® Pro-Advance™
and Similac Pro-Sensitive™, both non-GMO. Abbott is the first
company to add an HMO to infant formula.
With more than 90 years of experience, Abbott conducts ongoing
research to give babies the strongest possible start in the first
year of life. Abbott is dedicated to unconditional nourishment and
continues to offer parents new feeding options. Learn more about
the science and benefits of HMOs on the Abbott nutrition
newsroom.
About Abbott:
At Abbott (NYSE: ABT), we're committed
to helping people live their best possible life through the power
of health. For more than 125 years, we've brought new products and
technologies to the world -- in nutrition, diagnostics, medical
devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals -- that create more
possibilities for more people at all stages of life. Today, 74,000
of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better,
in the more than 150 countries we serve. Connect with us at
www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on
Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
References
1. Goehring K et al.
Journal of Nutrition; 116 (2016), published online
Oct. 26
2. Bode L.
Glycobiology 2012;22:1147-62.
3. Perdigon G et al.
Curr. Issues Intest. Microbiol 2001;2:27-42.
4. Marriage et al.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 61.6
(2015): 649-58.
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