In-depth look at the power of 2'-FL, the first line of defense against pathogens before they enter the body.
In a world full of germs and pollutants, a strong immune system is the most important weapon in protecting the health of young children whose immune systems are still developing, and 2'-FL (2'-Fucosyllactose) is one of the most sought-after nutrients in modern nutrition. 2'-FL is the most abundant natural oligosaccharide (HMO) found in breast milk [1,2]. The remarkable thing about 2'-FL is not its energy-providing properties, but its clever molecular mechanism of action in acting as a 'first line of defense' to block germs before they can harm the body [3].
How 2'-FL Works: An Innovative Proactive Germ Elimination Technique
Naturally, pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, when entering the digestive system, look for a place to attach themselves to the intestinal wall as a starting point for multiplication and infiltration into the tissues. The intestinal wall has a specific sugar structure that acts as a 'harbor' for these pathogens to dock. [4]
The amazing thing about 2'-FL is that its structure 'mimicking' those docks so perfectly. [5] Once in the digestive tract, 2'-FL acts as a 'smart lure,' attracting any invading pathogens to mistakenly attach to it instead of the actual intestinal wall . [6] This mechanism traps the pathogens, rendering them incapable of causing disease, before they are naturally expelled from the body through feces. [3] It also helps the beneficial gut bacteria to grow and adhere better to the intestinal wall, resulting in a naturally healthier digestive system . [6]
2'-FL helps reduce inflammation and provides holistic protection.
The effects of 2'-FL are not limited to the gut. Research has found that when pathogens are blocked at the source, the accumulation of pathogens in the body is reduced, resulting in a more balanced systemic immunity [3]. In addition, 2'-FL also helps reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines [6] , which indirectly contributes to a reduced chance of upper respiratory tract infections [5] , significantly reducing the risk of frequent illnesses or colds compared to diets without 2'-FL [4].
summarize
Choosing to give your child UHT milk fortified with a clear mechanism of action like 2'-FL is a worthwhile option for laying the foundation for a healthy body. Installing a “radar detector” in the body ensures that the immune system has a filter to remove foreign substances from the body at all times [5] , resulting in the body having the energy and resources to use for growth and other developmental activities without having to spend time recovering from frequent illnesses [3,6].
Wongwaree family
Kasemrad International Hospital, Rattanathibet
Dr. Siriporn
Wongwaree family
Dr. Siriporn Wongwaree
Pediatric Allergy Specialist
and immunity.
Kasemrad Hospital
International Rattanathibet
Wongwaree family
Kasemrad International Hospital, Rattanathibet
reference
1. Garrido D, Ruiz-Moyano S, Lemay DG, Sela DA, German JB, Mills DA. Comparative transcriptomics reveals key differences in the response to milk oligosaccharides of infant gut-associated bifidobacteria. Sci Rep. 2015;5:13517.
2. Erney RM, Malone WT, Skelding MB, Marcon AA, Kleman-Leyer KM, O'Ryan ML, et al. Variability of human milk neutral oligosaccharides in a diverse population. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30(2):181–192.
3. Reverri EJ, Devitt AA, Kajzer JA, Baggs GE, Borschel MW. Review of the clinical evidence for the benefits of the human milk oligosaccharide 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) in infant nutrition. Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1342.
4. Lewis ZT, Totten SM, Smilowitz JT, Popovic M, Parker E, Lemay DG, et al. The role of human milk oligosaccharides in infant health. J Pediatr. 2015;167(1):S42–S51.
5. Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147–1162.
6. Salli K, Anglenius H, Hirvonen J, Hibberd AA, Ahonen I, Saarinen MT, et al. 2′-Fucosyllactose influences Bifidobacterium infantis–Caco-2 adhesion and expression of inflammatory genes. Sci Rep. 2019;9:11530.
