Could HMO help support the gut microbiome after antibiotics?
I did a quiet fist pump in the air when I saw this on the news the other night! 🙌
I’ve been using a form of Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO), specifically 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), in clinic for around 18 months now to support gut health and microbiome diversity.
I’ve mainly been using it with clients who have completed the Gut IQ microbiome stool test (previously the MMM stool test), where I can see evidence of low beneficial bacterial diversity.
I also consider HMO support for some clients who have completed nutrigenomics testing and have variations in the FUT2 gene. FUT2 plays a role in the production of compounds that can help support certain beneficial bacteria in the gut, so this can be an interesting piece of the puzzle when looking at an individual’s microbiome.
So I was super excited to see the OAK study from the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland, looking at how HMO supplementation may support children following antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections.
We know antibiotics can be extremely important when treating bacterial infections, but they can also have an impact on the wider gut microbiome. This study is looking at whether HMO supplementation may help support a healthier and more diverse microbiome following antibiotic use, and whether this could potentially have wider implications for things such as eczema, asthma and metabolic health.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the results of this trial!
In the meantime, I can say that client feedback in my clinic has been encouraging. When HMO is used appropriately alongside other gut-supportive strategies, including strain-specific probiotics, clients have reported improvements such as less bloating and more comfortable bowel movements.
Of course, everyone’s gut microbiome is different, which is why I find testing so useful. It can give us another piece of the puzzle rather than simply guessing what might be going on.
Interested in learning more about HMO, gut health, microbiome diversity or whether testing could be useful for you? Get in touch.