Kabrita supports a well-balanced gut microbiota
As gut comfort is influenced by the gut microbiota, studying the effects of Kabrita formula on the gut microbiota is important. A disbalanced gut microbiota is associated with impaired gut functioning and GI discomfort.1 Moreover, the gut microbiota plays an important role in the maturation of the digestive and immune system, which are still immature in early life.
Kabrita results in a well-balanced gut microbiota: a randomized controlled trial
The gut microbiota of Chinese infants using Kabrita (n=104) for 6 months were studied and compared with those of infants using CMF (n=92) and breastfed infants (n=68).2 The mean age of the infants at inclusion was 48.8 days. The results show that the microbiota of infants using Kabrita are similar to the microbiota of breastfed infants (correlation 94.6%).
In addition, infants using Kabrita formula showed the highest increase in bifidobacteria after six months of feeding. Based on these microbiota results, it can be concluded that there is no significant difference in microbiota diversity between infants using Kabrita formula and breastfed infants.2
More information about this study can be found in the ESPGHAN poster below.
Other studies confirm: infants fed GMF showed a pattern that more closely resembled that of breastfed infants than infants fed CMF
The similarity of the microbiota of infants using goat milk formula or cow’s milk formula versus those of breastfed infants was also described in another publication. The relevant paper describes diversity analyses of gut microbiota from infants using GMF and infants using CMF versus breastfed infants. Interestingly, infants fed GMF showed a pattern that more closely resembled that of breastfed infants than infants fed CMF.3
Although the microbiota results are promising more clinical research is needed, as the results are based on a limited number of studies. This also applies for the effects of Kabrita formula on comfort in infants. The first results on GI comfort and sleep are promising but are based on studies with limitations. A well powered, randomized, controlled study is warranted to more thoroughly study the effects of Kabrita formula on GI comfort.
Influence of β-palmitic acid on gut microbiota development
Kabrita formula contains high levels of β-palmitate. Research showed that Kabrita formula with high levels of β-palmitate may be beneficial for a well-balanced gut microbiota because of the reduced formation of calcium soaps.4 Click here to read more about β-palmitate and gut microbiota development.
Conclusion
Kabrita formula result in a well-balanced gut microbiota by increasing the number of bifidobacteria and can be of importance for the maturation of digestive and immune system of infants.
References
- 1. 38. Daelemans, S., et al., Recent advances in understanding and managing infantile colic. F1000Res, 2018. 7.
- 2. 39. Wang, J., et al., The evolution of infants’ gut microbiota under different feeding regimes. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2021. 72.
- 3. 40. Tannock, G.W., et al., Comparison of the compositions of the stool microbiotas of infants fed goat milk formula, cow milk-based formula, or breast milk. Applied and environmental microbiology, 2013. 79(9): p. 3040-3048.
- 4. Wang, L., et al., The effect of calcium palmitate on bacteria associated with infant gut microbiota. Microbiologyopen, 2021. 10(3): p. e1187
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