Nutritionist and Food Scientist, Jack Huitson, BSc (Hons), answers questions on prebiotic oligosaccharides and keeping up with the latest midwifery research.
Q How can I help mothers encourage the growth of ‘friendly’ bacteria?A. The best way is by advising mothers to breastfeed as breastmilk contains prebiotic oligosaccharides which are non-digestible carbohydrates. Prebiotic oligosaccharides (OS) help fuel the growth of ‘friendly’ bacteria within the infant’s digestive system. However, mothers who cannot or choose not to breastfeed can ensure their child still receives prebiotic OS by using a formula milk that contains prebiotic galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS). The Cow & Gate range of formula milks contains a patented GOS/FOS blend derived from lactose and chicory.
The health benefits of this blend have been clinically proven in a number of studies. Compared to infants fed formula milks without prebiotic OS, those fed a formula containing Cow & Gate’s GOS/FOS blend were shown to have softer and more frequent stools, and a lower incidence of allergic symptoms, diarrhoea, infections and infections requiring antibiotics
1-3.
Q What additional benefits will this bring?A. The intestinal micro-flora of breastfed babies is usually dominated by bifidobacteria
4. These are termed ‘friendly’ bacteria as their presence helps exclude potentially harmful bacteria within the digestive system by competing for the same nutrients and attachment sites on the gut wall
5.
A balanced intestinal microflora that is dominated by bifidobacteria helps stimulate the infant’s immune system early in life
5. ‘Friendly’ bacteria also help to produce a healthier environment within the colon by facilitating the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates, producing short chain fatty acids and lowering the colonic pH
4,5.
Q How can I keep up-to-date with the latest midwifery research?A. Continuing professional development is crucial to progressing a midwifery career and new research is emerging all the time. Professional journals, periodicals and product literature are all excellent sources of information, as is learning from peers. Some of the most fascinating studies and advances in practice will be on display on 15th and 16th November 2012 at the Royal College of Midwives National Conference in Brighton.
This year’s conference focuses on how research innovations can be put into clinical practice within the current public health climate.
References:
1. Moro G et al. Dosage related bifidogenic effects of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides in formulafed
term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2002;34:291-5.
2. Bruzzese E et al. A formula containing galacto and fructo-oligosaccharides prevents intestinal and extra-intestinal infections: an observational study. Clin Nutr 2009;28:156-61.
3. Arslanoglu S et al. Early dietary intervention with a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of allergic manifestations and infections during the first 2 years of life. J Nutr 2008;138:1091-5.
4. Knol J et al. Colon microflora in infants fed formula with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides: more like
breast-fed infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;40:36-42.
5. Gibson GR, Roberfroid MB. Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concept of prebiotics. J Nutr 1995;125:1401-12.
