A recent review published in Microbial Cell looked at the literature on glycosaminoglycans in human breast milk and their potential role in infant health. The review focused on glycosaminoglycans (GAG), identifying the challenges of research in this area due to the complexities of extraction and analysis.

It is commonly known that the composition of breast milk changes from the early-stage colostrum to transitional milk and mature milk. The bioactive components are reduced and the nutritional components increase. Composition can also be affected by maternal obesity, stressful birth, poorly managed diabetes and maternal diet and stores, to name a few.

The review highlights the importance of GAG in immune function and gut function. However, it notes that the research on the mechanisms needs to be more robust.

~ Aliya Porter, RNutr

Click to read the full review...