Medical nutrition serves some of the most vulnerable patients, from hospitalised individuals to those recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions. GlycoActiveTM HMOs offer a scientifically credible ingredient choice to formulators developing specialized nutritional products.
Medical nutrition has evolved significantly over recent decades, moving from basic caloric supplementation towards targeted, science-driven nutritional interventions designed to support specific clinical outcomes. Across the full spectrum of medical nutrition, from enteral nutrition to oral nutritional supplements and disease-specific formulas, the demand for ingredients with a robust scientific foundation and an impeccable quality and safety profile has never been greater.
This evolution reflects a growing clinical recognition that nutrition plays an active role in patient recovery, resilience, and long-term health outcomes. Gut health and immune function are increasingly understood as central pillars of this equation, particularly in vulnerable patient populations such as the elderly, those recovering from surgery or illness, and individuals managing chronic conditions. In this context, the bar for ingredient selection is exceptionally high, and rightly so.
A FOUNDATION FOR RECOVERY
Science-driven ingredients for specialized care
Gut health and immune function are closely intertwined, and both are frequently compromised in patients with medical or nutritional challenges. A disrupted gut barrier, an imbalanced microbiome, and a weakened immune response are common features across a wide range of clinical conditions, from post-surgical recovery and malnutrition to chronic disease management and age-related decline. Addressing these interconnected challenges through targeted nutritional support represents one of the most promising frontiers in medical nutrition science.
A growing body of publicly available evidence suggests that HMOs may support gut barrier function, selectively feed beneficial gut bacteria, and help modulate immune responses, including a possible role in reducing pathogen adhesion to intestinal and respiratory cells 1,2,3,4. While much of this evidence originates from early life research, the underlying mechanisms are increasingly being studied in broader clinical contexts, pointing to a potentially significant role for HMOs in supporting gut and immune resilience across the lifespan 5.
GlycoActiveTM HMOs are produced according to the highest quality and safety standards, making them a credible and well-characterised bioactive ingredient for the most demanding nutritional applications. Their versatility spans enteral nutrition products, oral nutritional supplements, protein-enriched recovery formulas, age-specific nutritional drinks, and disease-specific formulas targeting a variety of disorders. GlycoActiveTM HMOs offer formulators a bioactive ingredient solution across the full spectrum of specialised nutritional care.
As the evidence base for HMOs in specific disease contexts continues to develop, Inbiose welcomes collaboration with research partners and formulators to support targeted application studies and build the clinical foundation for tomorrow's medical nutrition innovations.
References
1 Kong et al. (2019). Modulation of intestinal epithelial glycocalyx development by human milk oligosaccharides and non-digestible carbohydrates. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 63(17), e1900303.
2 Salli et al. (2021). Selective utilisation of the human milk oligosaccharides 2'-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose by various probiotic and gut/pathogenic bacteria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(1), 170–182.
3 Triantis et al. (2018). Immunological effects of human milk oligosaccharides. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 6, 190.
4 Weichert et al. (2013). Bioengineered 2'-fucosyllactose and 3-fucosyllactose inhibit the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enteric pathogens to human intestinal and respiratory cell lines. Nutrition Research, 33(10), 831–838.
5 Šuligoj et al. (2020). Effects of human milk oligosaccharides on the adult gut microbiota and barrier function. Nutrients, 12(9), 2808.
APPLICATIONS
Discover all applications
Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
Early life nutrition
The most established market for HMOs, covering infant formula,
follow-on milk and complementary foods. Six regulatory-approved
ingredients, supported by an extensive body of publicly available
scientific and clinical literature.
Dietary supplements
GlycoActiveTM HMOs offer formulators fully compliant ingredients, versatile across capsules, powders and functional formats, with a well-established scientific foundation across multiple health areas. A fast-
growing market where science and consumer trust go hand in hand.
Functional food and beverages
Consumer demand for functional food and beverages is accelerating. GlycoActiveTM HMOs are odourless, taste-neutral, highly soluble, and heat-resistant, making them easy to incorporate across a wide range of product formats.
Medical nutrition
Patients with specific medical and nutritional needs require ingredients with the highest quality and regulatory standards. GlycoActiveTM HMOs meet those standards and can aid to support their recovery, health
and well-being.
Pet nutrition
The nutritional market for companion animals is growing, with increasing demand for science-backed ingredients. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides offer a unique positioning in gut health and joint mobility.
Animal feed
Mammals have their own arsenal of milk carbohydrates to support the healthy development of young animals. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides bring those same nature-identical glycans to animal feed, with evidence in supporting gut health, immunity, and infection prevention.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about Inbiose and our HMO ingredients, applications, health benefits and technology platform.
Are GlycoActiveTM HMOs suitable for use in medical nutrition?
Yes. GlycoActiveTM HMOs are produced to the highest quality and safety standards and are suitable for use in a range of medical nutrition applications, including enteral nutrition, oral nutritional supplements, protein-enriched recovery formulas, age-specific nutritional drinks, and disease-specific formulas. Please contact our team to discuss your specific application and regulatory requirements.
What quality certifications do GlycoActiveTM HMOs carry?
All GlycoActiveTM HMOs are produced in FSSC 22000 certified facilities, are Kosher and Halal certified, and are free from allergens (except milk and lactose), GMOs and animal-derived ingredients.
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Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
