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You are here: Topics > Prebiotic oligosaccharides > What are the benefits of breastmilk?

What are the benefits of breastmilk?

Breastmilk, which is specifically adapted to the needs of the newborn, provides several tiers of defence.

Young infants are vulnerable to pathogens due to their immature defence systems. Breastmilk, which is specifically adapted to the needs of the newborn, provides several tiers of defence. These have the potential to work synergistically. They are:

  • Provision of nutrients – such as protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Essential for the infant’s optimal development.
  • Antibodies – which are produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances (antigens) that may be a threat to the body.
  • Protective agents – ranging from those which help to support the immune system, to those which help protect against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
  • Prebiotics – which help to increase the levels of friendly bacteria naturally present in the baby’s gut.

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