The inaugural findings of an Australian human milk research collaboration have unveiled the critical role of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in enhancing the gut health of infants, potentially saving lives. These carbohydrates are vital components found in breast milk produced by mothers during lactation.
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s MilkBANC (Breastmilk And Nutrition Research Collaborative) was established with the objective of investigating variations in breast milk to improve infant nutrition and overall well-being, particularly concerning the survival of premature infants afflicted with intestinal diseases.
In an initial study encompassing 101 lactating mothers from the Sunshine Coast, researchers discovered “significant associations” between the nutrients in a mother’s diet and HMOs, commonly referred to as human milk oligosaccharides.
Dr. Caren Biddulph, a dietitian and recent Ph.D. graduate from the University of the Sunshine Coast, led the collaborative research effort published in the journal Nutrients. She emphasized that there is a mounting body of evidence indicating the multifaceted benefits of HMOs in safeguarding infant health, which include reducing the risk of allergies, gastrointestinal issues, and infectious diseases. Importantly, HMOs also serve as a protective barrier against necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening condition that can affect extremely vulnerable premature infants.
Dr. Biddulph expressed her hope that this research would pave the way for clinical recommendations regarding maternal nutrition during lactation to enhance the composition of HMOs. She added, “If a breastfeeding mother’s diet can influence the components of milk that shape a baby’s gut microbiome, dietary adjustments could potentially impact the baby’s lifelong metabolic health. This is particularly crucial for the one in ten babies born prematurely in Australia, as we strive to find ways to optimize HMO levels in donor milk for premature infants.”
While further research is necessary, preliminary results from milk samples have revealed several noteworthy associations:
Consumption of any level of alcohol was linked to reduced levels of specific HMOs.
Dietary intake of folate (both natural folate and folic acid) correlated with overall HMO levels.
Adverse effects of maternal antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and maternal medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction and allergies on HMO levels were observed.
No discernible associations were found between HMO concentrations and maternal fat mass, fat-free mass, or related body composition indicators.
Genetic variations in lactating mothers appeared to have a predominant influence on HMO composition in mature milk, potentially overshadowing the impact of nutritional and physiological factors.
Dr. Biddulph pointed out the significance of the folate discovery, suggesting that ensuring adequate folate status in mothers with clinical deficiencies or promoting a diet rich in folate through plant-based and fortified foods when breastfeeding may be beneficial. Notably, Australian food databases list cereal products, vegetables, legumes, and fortified orange juices as major dietary sources of folate.
Dr. Biddulph’s research was supervised by UniSC’s Dr. Jude Maher, Dr. Mark Holmes, Dr. Trong Tran, and Dr. Anna Kuballa, in addition to The University of Queensland’s Dr. Peter Davies and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital neonatologist Dr. Pieter Koorts.
Operating within the UniSC Center for Bioinnovation, the MilkBANC employs cutting-edge spectroscopy and spectrometry techniques to characterize human milk components with therapeutic potential. The assessment of maternal body composition is facilitated by tools such as a Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner.
Professor Abigail Elizur, Director of the Center for Bioinnovation, lauded the acceptance of MilkBANC’s work within the scientific and academic community and, crucially, by breastfeeding mothers and clinicians engaged in this field.
