Supporting the child’s healthy growth

Leveraging GOS to support mineral uptake in young children

One of the ways in which iron deficiency in young children has been addressed is by offering products fortified with iron. However, supplemented iron is generally poorly absorbed in the gut

Tondeur, M. C. et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 80, 1436–1444 (2004)



. When unabsorbed iron reaches the colon, it can negatively impact the balance of bacterial communities in the gut microbiota

Jaeggi, T. et al. Iron fortification adversely affects the gut microbiome, increases pathogen abundance and induces intestinal inflammation in Kenyan infants. Gut 64, 731–742 (2015)



. This state of microbiota dysbiosis encourages the growth of pathogens, which can lead to infections and symptoms such as diarrhoea, as observed in studies conducted in parts of Africa and Asia

Tondeur, M. C. et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 80, 1436–1444 (2004)



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Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates used in infant and young child formula. Because they are indigestible by humans, they arrive in the gut intact. Here, they are fermented by bacteria such as Bifidobacteria – a process which produces metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This leads to a lower gut pH

Ben, X.-M. et al. Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in infants. Chin. Med. J. (Engl). 117, 927–931 (2004)



in which both calcium and iron become more soluble, so the body can absorb them more easily. This is one of the mechanisms via which GOS can enhance mineral absorption

Whisner, C. M., & Castillo, L. F. (2018). Prebiotics, Bone and Mineral Metabolism. In Calcified Tissue International. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-017-0339-3



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Research has revealed that consuming 5g of GOS each day can improve calcium absorption by 13% in young girls

Whisner, C. M. et al. Galacto-oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and gut bifidobacteria in young girls: a double-blind cross-over trial. Br. J. Nutr. 110, 1292–303 (2013).



and another clinical study demonstrated that 7.5g/day of GOS increased iron absorption by 62% in infants

Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017).



while mitigating the adverse effects of iron supplementation

Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017).



. So far, GOS is the only oligosaccharide source that has been clinically shown to enhance iron absorption in children

Paganini, D. et al. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides mitigate the adverse effects of iron fortification on the gut microbiome: a randomised controlled study in Kenyan infants. Gut 66, 1956–1967 (2017).



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Parents prioritise healthy growth during childhood

According to the latest parental insights study by FrieslandCampina Ingredients, not only is healthy infant growth a big priority for parents, but so is healthy growth and development during childhood

Innova Market Insights & RFC, Early Life Nutrition survey, 2020 



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