Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a vital component of human milk, offering numerous health benefits. These benefits include promoting a healthy gut microbiome in infants, potentially aiding in brain development, and maintaining a well-balanced immune system. HMOs also reduce the risk of bacterial imbalances and help mature and protect the integrity of the intestine.
To gather comprehensive information on the use of manufactured HMOs as food supplements in humans, a systematic review was conducted. The review incorporated 26 relevant clinical trials and five follow-up studies from the PubMed database and Cochrane Library. These trials examined eight different HMO structures, either individually or in blends, and tested varying dosages.
This is the first systematic review of its kind to encompass the use of manufactured HMOs as food supplements in humans. The reviewed data consisted of articles published up until the end of 2022. All studies reported the safety and tolerance of the respective single HMOs and blends used. However, the complexity and dosage of the HMOs varied across the studies.
Many studies indicated positive shifts in health outcomes towards those observed in breastfed infants. These outcomes included improvements in stool characteristics, gut microbiome composition, intestinal immune markers, and overall gut health and immune system function. Similar beneficial effects on gut health and the immune system were also observed in other populations following HMO supplementation.
While HMO supplementation led to changes in the gut-associated microbiome in most clinical trials, the physiological relevance of these modulatory effects remains unclear. HMO supplementation increased the abundance of bifidobacteria in children and adults, but further research is needed to fully understand the implications. Additionally, HMO administration was associated with other gut health outcomes, such as increased levels of SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids), reduced faecal pH, and modulation of microbial metabolic pathways. HMO supplementation also resulted in more frequent and softer stools.
Furthermore, studies have shown that HMO supplementation may lead to a reduced number of infections. Infants who received HMO supplements experienced fewer respiratory tract infections, required less attention from healthcare professionals, and had a lower incidence of otitis media (ear infections). These outcomes may be linked to associations between faecal communities rich in bifidobacteria, microbial metabolic pathways, and reduced infections. The mechanisms behind these effects may involve the discouragement of pathogenic bacteria in a Bifidobacterium-dominated gut environment, as well as potential direct interactions with immune cells or the production of immunomodulatory metabolites.
The authors highlight the need for further evidence from well-designed clinical trials and preclinical experiments to fully substantiate the health benefits of HMO supplementation in different populations.
Dr. Katja Parschat, Head of Research & Development at Chr. Hansen HMO, emphasizes their commitment to conducting research and clinical trials to explore the effects of HMO supplementation on human health and understand the structure and dosage requirements. They aim to support the healthy development of infants who cannot be breastfed by providing HMOs as an ingredient in infant formula. By publishing this comprehensive systematic review, Chr. Hansen contributes to the growing knowledge of the beneficial effects of HMOs and is eager to collaborate with customers and researchers in furthering insights in this field.
Source: Nutrients
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163622​
“Clinical Studies on the Supplementation of Manufactured Human Milk Oligosaccharides: A Systematic Review”
Schönknecht, Y.B.; Moreno Tovar, M.V.; Jensen, S.R.; Parschat, K.
