Synthetic artificial breast milk
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Support and protection of breastfeeding is the main objective of practical health care. In addressing this issue, several areas are highlighted, one of which is the adequate and timely introduction of complementary foods in the first year of life of the infant, as well as the correct selection of milk substitutes for the mother with the impossibility of breastfeeding.
Studies of recent decades have revealed the importance of mother's milk, which affects the microflora of the baby's intestines from the first months of life. Microbiologists from the University of Illinois have discovered a major component that protects the body of infants from pathogens - oligosaccharides are an indigestible part of the carbohydrate component of breast milk.
Due to this component, short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid are produced in the intestine of the baby, which participate in the nutrition of the beneficial intestinal microflora.
Oligosaccharides are present in milk of the mother in a greater concentration than proteins, but their effect on the health of infants has not yet been studied to the end. In children's food, these substances are virtually absent.
The goal of research scientists was to identify the shortcomings of feeding children with mixtures.
"We know that oligosaccharides are of vital importance, because it is a component that has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora, which is one of the protective barriers on the way of toxigenic bacteria. We are interested in their role in the development of bacteria in the intestines of babies that feed on mother's milk, because bacteria in the intestines of children fed by the mixtures differ from them, "says professor of food microbiology Michael Miller.
Oligosaccharides refer to indigestible food ingredients, that is, to prebiotics, which have a beneficial effect on digestion. This effect is achieved due to selective stimulation of the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
As you know, children who are breastfeeding are less likely to have intestinal infections and have a stronger immune system. Unfortunately, not everything created by nature can be created by man.
For the experiments, scientists isolated and analyzed oligosaccharides from breast milk of mothers of premature infants.
Prebiotic fibers were added in the mixture for feeding 9 and 17-day-old piglets (their age is approximately 3 and 6 months of human infants). The composition of the mixtures was studied for the bacterial population.
The scientists found that when oligosaccharides were introduced, active production of short-chain fatty acids began, which can be called a fuel for the development of beneficial bacteria. They affect the level of acidity in the stomach, and also protect against dangerous pathogenic bacteria.
According to the researchers, oligosaccharides are a very important element that is extremely necessary for the normal development of the child. They create favorable conditions for maintaining the normal composition of the intestinal microflora, are excellent preventive measures for binge and dysbiosis in children.
"Some companies are already engaged in synthesizing the oligosaccharide. This will make it possible in the future to maximally equalize the artificial feeding of infants and breast-feeding the mother, "says Professor Miller.