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Infant formula fermented with human origin probiotic

probiotici

Researchers at CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies in Naples, led by Roberto Berni Canani, one of the leading experts in the field of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Milan and Humanitas have demonstrated for the first time the possibility of prevent imbalances in gut microbiome and immune system induced by operative delivery and absence of breast milk in breastfed infants with a formula containing an innovative fermentation product.

The product results from the fermentation of cow's milk with a human-derived probiotic called Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 . Researchers evaluated a large case series of babies born by natural childbirth or by cesarean section, fed breast milk, with formula enriched or not by the new fermentation product, and showed that this functional food is able to prevent imbalances in the gut microbiome and immune system induced by cesarean section and the absence of breast milk.

Experts all agree: natural childbirth and breast milk are two winning strategies for determining, through modulation of the gut microbiome, optimal development of the baby's immune system that can effectively protect the baby from infections and autoimmune diseases and allergies. In recent decades, the frequency of cesarean delivery has greatly increased in Italy (from 11.2% in 1980 to 33.7% in 2016), and it is known that cesarean delivery negatively affects the chances of successful maternal breast feeding. Babies who are born through cesarean section and fail to receive breastfeeding are more susceptible to infections and at greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases and allergies.

"Natural childbirth and breastfeeding are key elements in guiding development and function of the child's immune system, largely through positive modulation of gut microbiome development and function. The billions of microorganisms, which colonize our digestive tract from the first hours of life, regulate multiple functions of our organism, strongly affecting the health status of the individual," explains Prof. Berni Canani. "This imbalance, which can be more often observed in children born from operative delivery or who have not been breastfed, determines a greater ease of contracting infections and diseases of the immune system, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. Our goal has been to develop an innovative fermented formula that can best correct the imbalances in the gut microbiome and immune system that are observed in babies who are not fortunate enough to be born by natural birth and receive breast milk."

"The research being carried out in our Immunonutrition laboratory," says Mariano Giustino, CEO of CEINGE, "has already attracted the interest of international companies. The results are very encouraging and we intend to promote this strand of studies in terms of know-how, high-tech instrumentation and collaborations with other national and international companies."

The work has been published in the prestigious international journal Nature Communications and is the result of collaboration among several research groups coordinated by Prof. Fabio Mosca (Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano and Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Milan), Prof. Maria Rescigno (Humanitas Clinical and Research Center and Humanitas University), Prof. Roberto Berni Canani (Head of the Laboratory of Immunonutrition at CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies in Naples and Professor of Pediatrics at the Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II of Naples), and Dr. Andrea Budelli (President R&D Europe and Global Infant Nutrition of Kraft-Heinz). (A.B.)


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