Human Milk Oligosaccharides and brain development: New Perspectives
Adequate nutrition is necessary for normal brain development. Nutrition is especially important during pregnancy and infancy, which are crucial periods for the formation of the brain, and lays the foundation for the development of cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional skills throughout childhood and adulthood.
Human milk oligosaccharides are the 3rd largest component of breast milk and are significant for the development of the gut-brain-immune axis.
HMOs –have prebiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti –adhesive, immune-modulation and serve as nutrients for the brain for brain development, neuronal transmission, and synaptogenesis.