Nutricia research specific prebiotics mix scGOS/lcFOS (9:1): A Unique Concept

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 are now known to be essential for the development of immunity in infants. They stimulate the production of bifidobacteria and other beneficial bacteria in the intestine of the infants which in turn stimulate the development of the immune system, produce digestive enzymes and essential vitamins. However, the prebiotic oligosaccharides in human milk have an extremely complex composition consisting of short- and long-chain structures.

Stemming from an ongoing research of about 40 year on breast milk, Danone Nutricia developed a mixture of prebiotics consisting of short-chain Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain Fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) in the ratio of 9:1.

The scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) mixture is not digested by the enzymes present in the upper gastrointestinal tract (Moro et al 2004&2005). The components are thus available as substrates for the lower intestinal microbiota, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the infant’s large intestine.

In this ratio it mimics the size, distribution and function of the oligosaccharides found in breast milk and helps with:

• Promoting gut health.
• Increasing level of healthy gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and lactobacilli.
• Reducing level of potentially harmful bacteria.
• Reducing occurrence of infections.
• Reducing the risk of allergic symptoms.
• Improving stool frequency and consistency