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It is important to understand the influence of external environment on immune and metabolic programming; diet-induced pathways are crucial in these processes that determine the development and future health.1 This article discusses the concept of immune fitness and immune programming that has a role in the maintenance of both, a healthy early and adult life.… Continue reading Early Life Immune Programming For Immune Fitness With Biotics

Nutritional ingredients such as specific pre and probiotics influence the immune system directly and indirectly via modulation of the gut microbiota. Prebiotics are non-digestible dietary carbohydrates that travel to the colon intact and can selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria. Prebiotic oligosaccharides are the third largest component of human breast milk and… Continue reading Nutricia research specific prebiotics mix scGOS/lcFOS (9:1): A Unique Concept

Gut microflora has a critical role in providing immunity, improved digestion, and resistance to pathogenic infections.1 The gut microflora differs in composition and diversity among breast-fed and formula-fed infants.2 A major innovation is the modulation of the microflora through diet; a community of beneficial microbes can be obtained by adding prebiotics in infant feed.2 This… Continue reading Role Of Prebiotics In Promoting Healthy Bacteria And Discouraging Harmful Bacteria

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively trigger the growth and activity of microbes in the gut that are linked with the good health of the host.1 Evidence suggests that they are effective in the management of various conditions such as constipation and weight gain in infants. They are also seen to improve stool characteristics… Continue reading Role Of Prebiotics On Stool Characteristics

Prebiotics serve as nutrient sources for beneficial microbiota in the host and have the potential to modulate host-microbial ecosystems.1 Most studies have focused on the indirect effects of prebiotics, which include modulating gut microflora, influencing stool characteristics, and protecting against infections.2-4 Research on the direct impact of prebiotics on the immune system is scanty. This… Continue reading How Prebiotics Impact Immunity: Direct Mechanism Of Action

Synopsis Infants are more susceptible to infection due to immature immune system. Introduction of age-appropriate complementary foods is crucial for the proper development of an infant. Prebiotics like GOS:FOS (9:1) support gut microbiome homeostasis, thereby improving immunity, thus supporting the development of the infant. Infants are more susceptible to develop certain infections caused by bacteria,… Continue reading How To Boost Immunity In Infants: Role Of Prebiotics

Key takeaways GOS/FOS mixture can mimic the immunomodulatory function of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)1. GOS/FOS mixture has shown efficacy in reducing infections and allergic incidences2. Dietary GOS/FOS supplements hold potential for establishing infant immunity2. HMOs are essential components of human milk that have both direct communication with the immune cell, and probiotic capability3. A dietary… Continue reading Oligosaccharides And Infant Immunity

Introduction Immature immunity makes an infant vulnerable to infections.1 Prebiotic supplementation enhances the development of the infant immune system.2,3 This infographic answers how prebiotic supplementation enhances the infant’s immunity. Mechanism of Action of Prebiotics2 Figure 1 Mechanism of Action of Prebiotics. A. Direct action: Neutralize and prevent pathogens adhesion, thus, preventing infection acting as decoy… Continue reading Effects of Prebiotics on Immunity

Key takeaways An Infant’s diet plays an important role in establishing gut microbiota.1 Infants on prebiotics containing diet have the fecal microbiota composition similar to breastmilk fed ones.2 Synopsis The early development of intestinal microbiota in neonates is critical for metabolism and immune functions.1Numerous factors including mode of delivery, gestational age, antibiotic use, environment, and… Continue reading Favorable Effect Of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides On Gut Microbiota

Key takeaways1 GOS/FOS supplemented feed exerts a beneficial effect on local immunity. This effect can reduce the risk of infections and allergies in infants in later months of life (up to 18 months). Synopsis Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) contribute to developing beneficial intestinal microflora and building immunity.1To mimic these advantageous effects in infants, a prebiotic… Continue reading Impact of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides on Local Immunity

HighlightsHuman milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breastmilk show great variability in terms of short- and long-chain oligosaccharides.The structural diversity of Prebiotic HMOs, including scGOS/lcFOS and 2’-FL, resembles the complex HMO composition of breastmilk.Prebiotics are indigestible components that are metabolized by host microbes present in the small intestine and have positive health effects. They are primarily carbohydrate-based… Continue reading scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) and 2’-FL Combination Mimics Structural Diversity of Infant Feeds

Key takeaways Altered microbial signature and immune dysfunction may contribute to allergic diseases in infants.1,2 Prebiotics modulate the composition of gut microbiota and have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.3 Evidence suggests that prebiotics can prevent allergic diseases by promoting galectin 9 expression, inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines, and beneficial antibody profile.1-3 Allergy is linked with the disruption of… Continue reading Impact of Prebiotics In Allergic Prevention

Prebiotics is a word used to describe nutritional ingredients which includes a range of non-digestible carbohydrates. They escape digestion and pass into the colon intact and act as nutrients for the commensal bacteria or probiotics that reside there, a necessary condition required for an ingredient to classify as prebiotic. This facilitates the ability to create… Continue reading What are Prebiotics and Why are They Important (Health Benefit)?

What Are Prebiotic Dietary Fibers?1 Non-digestible dietary fibers Stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon Abbreviations FOS: Fructooligosaccharides; GOS: Galactooligosaccharides Health Benefits of Prebiotic Dietary Fibers Abbreviations CD: Cluster differentiation; FOS: Fructooligosaccharides; GOS: Galactooligosaccharides; IL-4: Interleukin 4; IL-8: Interleukin 8; IL-10: Interleukin 10; LDL: Low-density lipoprotein; NK cells: Natural killer cells; TAG: Triacylglycerol;… Continue reading Prominent Health Benefits of Prebiotic Dietary Fibers

The first 1000 days of life lay the foundation for infant’s future health. During this critical period, the infant’s gastrointestinal tract and immune system undergoes rapid development, including the establishment of the gut microbiota. Around 100 trillion bacteria colonise the gut, collectively referred to as ‘microbiota’, and contribute not only to nutrient metabolism but also… Continue reading Indian Infant Gut

Gut plays a vital role in influencing the overall growth, development, and immunity of an infant. It hosts about 70-80% of the immune cells in the body making it the largest immune organ in the body. The microbiota such as the commensal organisms, synbiotics, and pathogens, present in the gut influences the guts function as… Continue reading Gut – The New Immune Organ

Last trimester of pregnancy is said to be the most critical phase of intrauterine growth. It is during this period that maximum growth changes are experienced by the fetus, with a marked increase in the functional capacity of the developing organs. Infants born before the completion of the 37th week of pregnancy are termed as… Continue reading Immune and Gut Microbiota Challenges of A Pre-term Infant

Microbial colonization in humans begins at birth and undergoes constant development until 3 years of age till the microbiota becomes adult-like1. Based on the microbial colonization, the gut of an infant also undergoes crucial stages in the development from birth.1 This article reviews the development of the gastrointestinal tract, the composition of gut microbiome and… Continue reading Pattern of Gut Colonization in Infants

The large intestine contains at least 30 identified genera and 500 species of microorganisms, making it the largest human reservoir of microbes. The hosts share a complex relationship with the colonizing microbes that affect the development and health of the former.1However, various environmental factors influence the gut microbiota composition, which are discussed in this article.1 Evidence suggests… Continue reading Factors Impacting the Developing Gut Microbiota