The first 1,000 days, from conception to toddlerhood, are critical. Our GlycoActiveTM human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) nourish this vital window to support healthy development from the very start.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond. The information on this page is intended for health professionals and manufacturers developing nutritional products for situations where breastfeeding is not possible or insufficient.
THE CRITICAL WINDOW
Why the first 1,000 days matter
The first 1,000 days, spanning conception through to a child’s second birthday, represent the most intensive period of human development. During this window, the brain undergoes rapid structural growth, the immune system begins its lifelong calibration, and the gut microbiome is established for the first time. The nutritional inputs during this period do not merely support short-term growth. Emerging evidence suggests they shape health trajectories that extend well into adulthood. For health professionals and formulators developing products for this critical window, ingredient selection carries exceptional responsibility. Bioactive compounds that mirror those found naturally in milk are increasingly recognised as essential components of infant and toddler nutrition, not merely optional additions.
NATURE’S MOST SOPHISTICATED NUTRITION
The complexity of human milk
Human milk is one of the most complex nutritional matrices in nature. Beyond its well-known macronutrients lactose, lipids, and proteins, it contains hundreds of bioactive compounds, including growth factors, immunoglobulins, cytokines, and a remarkable diversity of bioactive carbohydrates. After lactose and lipids, Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant solid component, present at approximately 5 to 15 grams per liter in milk, with the highest concentrations in colostrum 1. Over 200 unique HMO structures have been identified to date, each with distinct biological activity. The concentration and structural diversity of HMOs in human milk far exceeds that found in the milk of any other mammal 2. Cow's milk, the basis of most infant formula, contains substantially fewer oligosaccharides by comparison. HMO composition also varies between individuals, influenced by maternal genetics, lactation stage, geographic origin, and ethnicity, underscoring the significance of including nature-identical HMOs in infant nutrition products designed to narrow the gap between formula and milk 3,4.
BACKED BY SCIENCE
The health benefits of HMOs
The biological activity of HMOs in early life is supported by an extensive and growing body of publicly available scientific literature. Three health areas stand out as the most robustly evidenced. In the gut, HMOs act as precision prebiotics, selectively feeding beneficial Bifidobacterium species while resisting digestion themselves, helping to establish the microbiome composition characteristic of healthy infants and supporting gut barrier integrity 5,6. In the immune system, HMOs may assist in modulating immune development and may help protect against pathogens through an anti-adhesion mechanism, reducing the ability of harmful microbes to attach to intestinal and respiratory cells 7,8.
Emerging science further points to a role for HMOs, particularly fucosylated and sialylated structures such as 2'FL, 3'SL and 6'SL, in brain and cognitive development, with observational studies suggesting associations between HMO exposure and language and cognitive outcomes in infants 9. While this evidence is still developing, it reflects the broader multifunctional potential of these remarkable bioactive carbohydrates.
The GlycoActiveTM portfolio offers six nature-identical HMOs, suitable for use in infant formula, follow-on milk, and complementary food. Each ingredient is produced according to the highest infant-grade quality standards and is compatible with both wet and dry blending processes. GlycoActiveTM HMOs provide formulators with a versatile ingredient solution for seamless integration across any product matrix.
References
1 Soyyılmaz et al. (2021). The mean of milk: a review of human milk oligosaccharide concentrations throughout lactation. Nutrients, 13(8), 2737.
2 Durham et al. (2023). Creation of a milk oligosaccharide database, MilkOligoDB, reveals common structural motifs and extensive diversity across mammals. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 10345.
3 Lefebvre et al. (2020). Time of lactation and maternal fucosyltransferase genetic polymorphisms determine the variability in human milk oligosaccharides. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7, 574459.
4 Vinjamuri et al. (2022). Human milk oligosaccharide compositions illustrate global variations in early nutrition. Journal of Nutrition, 152(5), 1239–1253.
5 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
6 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
7 Triantis et al. (2018). Immunological effects of human milk oligosaccharides. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 6, 190
8 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
9 Berger et al. (2023). Human milk oligosaccharides and infant neurodevelopment: a narrative review. Nutrients, 15(3), 719
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.
Which GlycoActiveTM HMOs are approved for use in infant formula?
All six commercially-available GlycoActiveTM HMOs hold regulatory approval for use in infant formula in the EU, US and various other geographic regions. Please contact our team for the most current regulatory status in your specific target market.
Are GlycoActiveTM HMOs suitable for both wet and dry blending in infant formula?
Yes. GlycoActiveTM HMOs are produced to infant-grade quality standards and are compatible with both wet and dry blending manufacturing processes. Their high solubility, heat stability, and neutral taste profile make them straightforward to incorporate into standard infant formula manufacturing.
Do GlycoActiveTM HMOs replace breastfeeding?
No. Breastfeeding is best. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond. GlycoActiveTM HMOs are intended to support nutritional products where breastfeeding is not possible or insufficient, not as a replacement for it.
GET IN TOUCH
Request specific information about one or more ingredient(s)
Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
