What are HMOs

Human Milk Oligosaccharides

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third-largest solid component in breast milk (after fat and lactose), with critical functions such as immune regulation, brain development support, and gut microbiota modulation. Revered as the "soft gold" of breast milk, HMOs exhibit an average concentration of 20.9 g/L in human colostrum—10 to 100 times higher than in other mammalian milk. Their rarity and unique nutritional value have positioned HMOs as the "crown jewel" of the dairy industry, enabling infant formula products to approach the gold standard of breast milk. This has made HMOs a paramount objective for infant nutrition research and development.

Scientific studies have identified over 200 distinct HMO structures in breast milk, derived from five core monosaccharides through elongation, fucosylation, or sialylation. Among these, six key HMOs stand out:2'-FL (2′-fucosyllactose), 3-FL (3-fucosyllactose), LNT (lacto-N-tetraose), LNnT (lacto-N-neotetraose), 3'-SL (3′-sialyllactose), and 6'-SL (6′-sialyllactose).The structural diversity of HMOs underpins their multifunctional benefits, ranging from gut improvement to cognitive enhancement.

Improve intestinal health

70% of the baby's immune system exists in the intestine, and HMOs are not easily digested and absorbed by the upper digestive tract. Most of them can reach the distal small and large intestine intact, serving as substrates for beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria, promoting the growth of probiotics, while also inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Clostridium perfringens, and providing nutrition and energy for colon cells

Enhancing Immunity

HMOs help regulate the immune response in infants. They reduce pro-inflammatory factors while promoting the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors, optimizing the Th1/Th2 cell differentiation balance and modulating Type 1 and Type 2 immune responses. This gentle regulation of the baby's immune system helps prevent excessive inflammation, protects overall health, and reduces the risk of discomfort caused by overactive immune responses. Additionally, HMOs can prevent and lower the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants and inhibit the growth of various pathogenic bacteria.

Promoting Cognition Development

Acidic HMOs are utilized by gut probiotics to produce sialic acid, which directly contributes to the construction of brain cell membranes and neural synapses, supporting the formation of the baby's neural structures. Furthermore, HMOs can indirectly support neural development by modulating the gut microbiota. Short-chain fatty acids (such as butyrate), produced by probiotics like Bifidobacteria, provide energy to nerve cells. Studies have shown a positive correlation between a healthy gut microbiome and cognitive function. HMOs support synapse formation and brain tissue development through the "gut-brain axis."

Protection Against Intestinal Pathogens

In the gut, HMOs play a dual protective role in helping infants resist pathogens. On one hand, they serve as a selective nutrient source for beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, promoting their growth. On the other hand, through a mechanism of competitive inhibition, HMOs effectively limit the colonization of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. Additionally, HMOs provide nutritional support for colonic epithelial cells, helping to maintain a balanced intestinal microbiota.

Antiviral Effects

HMOs help infants fight off viral infections through multiple mechanisms. Firstly, some HMOs have structures similar to viral surface proteins, allowing them to act as “decoys” that bind to pathogens like rotavirus and norovirus, blocking their ability to attach to intestinal cells. Secondly, HMOs promote the growth of probiotics such as Bifidobacteria, which in turn stimulate the secretion of immune factors like IgA in the gut, significantly enhancing the antiviral defense of the mucosal barrier and reducing infections in both the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Furthermore, certain HMOs can inhibit viral replication, effectively reducing viral load and helping to curb the progression of infections.

On January 5, 2024, HMOs were selected as one of the "Top 10 Food Safety and Health Hotspots of 2023" by the Chinese Society for Food Science and Technology