Mother's Milk: Nature's Probiotic Shield for Infant Gut Health

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have identified a crucial role of mother’s milk in enhancing infant health. Their study, published in the Food Chemistry journal, reveals that fat globules in human milk act as a natural carrier for probiotics, potentially transforming the future of infant nutrition (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Human milk fat globule delivers entrapped probiotics to the infant's gut and acts synergistically to ameliorate oxidative and pathogenic stress

Go to source). Led by Professor Kiran Ambatipudi from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, the research focuses on the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM)—a bioactive component in breast milk. The study found that this membrane serves as a protective shield, allowing beneficial probiotic bacteria to reach an infant’s gut safely and effectively.

Probiotics: Essential for Newborn Gut Microbiome Development and Immunity

Probiotics play a crucial role in shaping a newborn’s gut microbiome, particularly for premature babies, by enhancing immunity and overall health. By analyzing two key types of beneficial bacteria found in infants, the researchers discovered that these microbes colonize the gut efficiently, promoting a healthier digestive system.

Significantly, the MFGM membrane protects probiotics from harsh stomach acids and oxidative stress, ensuring their survival and optimal function. This unique mechanism also acts as a natural defense against harmful microbes, further reinforcing the importance of breastfeeding.

The findings open new possibilities for functional infant formulas that closely mimic the benefits of natural breastfeeding. Using mother’s milk components as a probiotic delivery system could revolutionize formula production, making them more effective in supporting infant gut health.

This breakthrough aligns with the Indian government’s health initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat, which promote self-reliance and scientific advancements in healthcare.

With this pioneering study, IIT Roorkee has set the stage for future innovations in infant nutrition, emphasizing the irreplaceable benefits of mother’s milk in fostering a healthy start to life.

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Reference:

1. Human milk fat globule delivers entrapped probiotics to the infant's gut and acts synergistically to ameliorate oxidative and pathogenic stress - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814624026803)

Source-Medindia