Title: Gut microbiome function and composition in infants from rural Kenya and association with human milk oligosaccharides
| Published: | April 2, 2024 |
The gut microbiota evolves rapidly following birth, responding dynamically to environmental factors and significantly impacting one’s short- and long-term health. The Kenyan Iron Fortification (KIF) study provides valuable insights into the composition, function and role of the gut microbiome in infants from rural Kenya – an understudied population.
In this trial, researchers discovered that certain species of Bifidobacterium are more prevalent in these infants, which correlates with higher gut acidity and reduced pathogenic genetic features. Additionally, scientists observed a potential link between human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and the composition of the infants gut microbiota.
This study sheds light on gut microbiome variation in a population with limited exposure to modern microbiome-altering factors. These findings could potentially inform the development of microbiome-based nutritional interventions, such as prebiotics, tailored to benefit infants in similar contexts.
Learn more about the study: Gut microbiome function and composition in infants from rural Kenya and association with human milk oligosaccharides | Gut Microbes
To learn more about the positive impact of a prebiotic mixture of short chain galacto-oligosaccharides/long chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS [9:1]) on both the absorption of iron and gut health of Kenyan infants: Prebiotics increase iron absorption and reduce the adverse effects of iron on the gut microbiome and inflammation: a randomized controlled trial using iron stable isotopes in Kenyan infants | Danone Research & Innovation