Bioactive Components of Human Milk Including HMOs and Other Prebiotics Annenberg Center for Health Sciences

Presented by Lars Bode, PhD 

Human breast milk is comprised of several bioactive components, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are non-nutritive carbohydrates unique to human milk. In this course, Lars Bode, PhD, introduces HMOs and describes the structure, composition, and infant health benefits of these compounds. Topics include the prebiotic effects of HMOs, particularly related to the gastrointestinal and immune systems, but also growth and development and allergies. Also reviewed are the oligosaccharides found in infant formulas, with a focus on clinically relevant information that may help to guide counseling and decision making for parents.