The baby gut microbiome and immune system
What is the gut microbiome?
The surface of our planet is covered in microbes, and we are no different. Microbes are found on any external surface of our body, including the skin and gut1 and these bacterial cells are thought to number 10 to 100 times higher than our own human cells2. The combination of all the genetic information of the microbes on your body is your ‘microbiome3. Our gut alone, in particular the large intestine, contains 1,000 known species of bacteria and is the area with the highest levels of bacteria on our body1,4.
Why is the gut microbiome important?
Through research it is becoming increasingly apparent that the gut microbiome links to overall health, particularly in the areas of digestion and absorption of nutrients, gut-brain interactions and immunity5,6. Bacteria digest fibres, in the large intestine, and this leads to production of important metabolites e.g. short chain fatty acids (SCFA)7. SCFAs are estimated to contribute 10% of energy requirements8, highlighting the microbiome’s important role in extracting nutrients from our diet.
A blend of 9:1 short-chain galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) has beneficial outcomes in infants such as improved stool consistency and frequency5.
How does the gut microbiome affect immunity?
70-80% of the body’s immune cells are in the gut and the bacteria in the gut communicate with these cells9. The signals from the gut microbiota are critical for the developing immune system9. In relation to immunity, studies have found links between gut microbiome and allergy incidence, e.g. caesarean infants, who had a different microbiome composition to vaginal delivered infants, were found to have increased cytokine IL-13 production suggesting higher asthma incidence10.
Specific nutritional components can support a healthy gut microbiome. These include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics.
What are Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics and Synbiotics?
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are substrates that pass to the gut where they stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria11.
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant component of human milk12. They are a group of structurally diverse oligosaccharides with prebiotic effects, amongst other benefits.
Galacto-oligosaccharides & Fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS & FOS) also known as prebiotic fibres. A blend of 9:1 short-chain GOS and long-chain FOS mimics the ratio of prebiotic oligosaccharides in breastmilk13,14, and has been shown to selectively stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria in infant’s gut15. This has beneficial outcomes in infants, such as:
- Increasing healthy gut bacteria15
- Supressing pathogen and harmful bacteria15
- Improved stool consistency and frequency16
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that affect the host gut microbiome when ingested in adequate amounts17.
Postbiotics
Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by beneficial bacteria, which have biological activity in the host17.
Synbiotics
Synbiotics are a combination of prebiotics and probiotics17.
The gut microbiome links to overall health, particularly in the areas of digestion and absorption of nutrients, gut-brain interactions and immunity5,6.
How does the gut microbiome develop?
The gut microbiome develops rapidly in early years, reaching adult-like composition by around 3 years of age18. The early years of life are a crucial period to support development of a healthy microbiome and can be influenced by environmental factors including: mode of delivery (e.g. vaginal or c-section), gestational age at birth and diet18. Early life nutrition is an important factor, influencing the development of the gut, microbiome and immune system2.
Breastmilk is the best nutrition for newborns and has been shown to support optimal growth and development of infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is widely recommended as the first choice for infant nutrition20. Breastmilk has a highly diverse range of components, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), live bacteria and their metabolites21,22. These are acknowledged to play a crucial role in the development of the gut microbiome and immune system23.
In summary
The importance of the gut microbiome towards an infant’s overall health has become more apparent over recent years and is likely to continue in this direction in the future. It is clear that early life is a critical period for the development of the infant gut microbiome and that nutrition is a major factor in which to help this development.
What is in Aptamil?
Inspired by over 50 years of research in early life science, we continually innovate our range of Aptamil formula milks, including Aptamil Advanced. Our Aptamil range contains our most advanced prebiotic oligosaccharide combination+, including our unique 9:1 GOS/FOS ratio which is clinically proven to bring the gut microbiota closer to that of a breastfed infant24,25.
To learn more about the Aptamil click here’
- Gerritsen J et al. Genes Nutr. 2011;6:209–240.
- Lozupone CA, et al. Nature, 2012;489(7415):220-230.
- Cho, I. and Blaser, M. Nat Rev Genet, 2012;13(4):260-270.
- Lee KN, Lee, OY. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20:8886–8897.
- Forsythe, P. et al. Brain Behav Immun 2010;24(1):9-16.
- Rook & Stanford, Immunol Today. 1998;19(3):113-6.
- Wong JM et al. J Clin Gastroenterol 2006;40(3):235–243
- Wopereis H, et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 2014;25(5):428-438
- Wu HJ, Wu E. Gut Microbes. 2012;3(1):4-14.
- Martin, R. et al. Benef Microbes, 2010 ;1(4):367-382.
- Gibson GR, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017;14(8): 491–502.
- Schrezenmeir J, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(Suppl 2):361S–364S.
- Salminen S, Stahl B, Vinderola G, Szajewska H. Infant Formula Supplemented with Biotics: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 30;12(7):1952. doi: 10.3390/nu12071952.
- Danone Nutricia Research, Our specific pre-, pro- and synbiotics. Available at: https://www.danoneresearch.com/allergy/our-specific-pre-pro-and-synbiotics/ (Accessed October 2023)
- Knol J et al. Acta Paediatr Suppl 2005;94(449):31-3
- Moro G et al. Dosage-related bifidogenic effects of galacto- and fructooligosaccharides in formula-fed term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002;34:291-5.).
- Bode L. Glycobiology. 2012;22:1147–6212)
- Penders J et al. Pediatrics 2006;118(2):511–521
- WHO. The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding: report of an expert consultation, 2015.
- Bergmann H, et al. Br J Nutr, 2014;112(7):1119-28.
- Hunt KM, et al. PLoS One, 2011;6(6):e21313.
- Jost, T. et al. Nutr Res, 2015;73(7):426-437.
- Patel RM and Denning PW. Clin Perinatol, 2013;40(1):11-25.
- Knol J, Scholtens P, Kafka C, et al. Colon microflora in infants fed formula with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides: more like breast-fed infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005;40(1):36-42.
- Moro G et al. Dosage-related bifidogenic effects of galacto- and fructooligosaccharides in formula-fed term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002;34:291-5.
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Important notice
Breastfeeding is best. Infant milk is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. Follow-on milk is only for babies over 6 months, as part of a mixed diet and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. We advise that the use of formula milks and the decision to start weaning should be made only on the advice of a doctor, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care based on baby’s individual needs. Use Growing Up milk as part of a varied, balanced diet from 1 year.
