Immunity, breast milk and infant formula: finding the optimal balance

Abstract

Mother's milk is a unique product for children in the first and second year of life. In addition to the components that provide the energy needs of the baby, breast milk contains many biologically active compounds, microorganisms, stem cells that influence the maturation of organs and systems, including the immune system. Even in the most advanced artificial formula, it is impossible to replicate the composition and effects of breast milk completely. Nevertheless, it is possible to introduce some components into the formula that have a positive effect on the developing immune system. These include fat components, in particular long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and -palmitate, nucleotides, the most valuable of which are adenosine, guanine, uridine, cytidine and inosine monophosphates, oligosaccharides, probiotics, macro- and microelements. Goat's milk is an attractive natural product for the production of quality infant formula. Enriching milk formulas based on goat's milk with components with immunomodulatory functions homologous to those of breast milk makes it possible to significantly reduce the adverse effects of artificial feeding of infants, as well as to achieve a positive immunomodulatory effect. Kabrita adapted goat milk formula contains all the beneficial natural components of goat milk, adapted by the manufacturer according to the protein, fat, carbohydrate, micro- and macronutrient composition, with the addition of probiotic complex BB-12 and lipid complex DigestX.