close

Tell a friend

Tell a friend about this page on In Practice website by completing this form. The email address you provide will not be passed on to any third party.
Your name *:
Your email *:
Your friend's name *:
Friend's email address *:
Optional message:
Note : the fields with * are mandatory.
close

Save to Learning & Research

Save this page to Learning & Research ?
Title:

Your login has failed !

You haven't logged in yet and unfortunately most of our information and downloadable materials are only available to registered users.

If you are already registered to use In Practice, log in below:
Log In
Password
 


Haven't registered yet? Register for free. It only takes 2 minutes and gives you full access to all the resources In Practice has to offer!
Members Log In Password
Lost your password? Click here
Home
Ask the experts at Cow & Gate

Our HCP careline is now available 24/7 on our new FREEPHONE number. For advice and support from our team of experts.

FREEphone HCP Careline
0800 977 5656
FREEphone Mums` Careline
0800 977 4000

Email us
Quick poll

Download podcasts of the latest key opinion leader events and listen to them on your computer or MP3 player

Latest podcasts from the 7th International Danone Baby Nutrition Symposium in Lisbon.
- Early nutrition of the preterm infant
- Catch-up growth and metabolic imprinting

You are here: Topics > Prebiotic oligosaccharides > What are Prebiotics?

What are Prebiotics?

The prebiotics naturally present in breastmilk are non-digestible carbohydrates called oligosaccharides.

Prebiotics are food for the friendly bacteria naturally present in baby’s gut and they encourage higher levels of friendly bacteria, such as bifidobacteria.

This increase in levels is beneficial, in that bifidobacteria have been shown to have protective properties.


Prebiotics travelling through baby’s digestive system to reach the colon unharmed.


Prebiotics encouraging the growth of friendly bacteria and boosting their numbers.

Increased numbers of friendly bacteria helping to prevent bad bacteria from attaching to the colon wall.

Click here to see the animation (The size of the animation is 2.2MB. Please allow a few seconds for it to download)



References

1. Analysis of intestinal flora development in breastfed and formula fed infants by using molecular identification and detection methods. Harmsen HJM et al. (2000) JPGN 30: 61-67
Print this page

Article rating: poor nothing special worth reading really good excellent
This article is rated as excellent
To rate this article please click on the stars.