What is HMO?
WHAT IS HMO?
FOUND IN HUMAN MILK
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are present in great quantities in human breast milk: the 3rd largest element after lipids and lactose. While numerous studies have determined that breast milk is a great benefit to babies, just what these HMOs—a group of carbohydrates or complex sugars—accomplish remained a mystery for quite a while.
HMO BUILDS THE INFANT GUT & IMMUNE SYSTEM
But numerous studies over the past several decades determined that while they do nothing for a baby’s nutrition, they do play an incredibly important and irreplaceable role in infant health.
HMO HELPS ADULT DIGESTION, IMMUNITY, AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT TOO
As non-digestible carbohydrates, HMOs make their way to the colon and act as a sort of dual prebiotic, where they feed the good bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, and help the body to ward off a variety of infections and inflammations. And as it turns out, what is good for babies, is also good for adults.
HMO BY FERMENTATION
There are two ways to come by HMO: straight from human breast milk or via a highly scientific process involving specific enzymes and fermentation.
Both methods result in a molecularly identical prebiotic and both provide major health benefits.
"Based on emerging research, human milk oligosaccharides seem to be main drivers in shaping the developing infant gut microbiome, with potential short - and long-term consequences for human health and disease."
Dr. Lars Bode, PhD.
Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego (Not an endorsement)