Human milk oligosaccharides to promote growth of beneficial bacteria

Abstract

Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides that can be administered to individuals including preterm infants, infants, toddlers, and children for improving gastrointestinal function and tolerance, as well as the growth of beneficial bacteria. Additional suitable methods of using the nutritional compositions including the human milk oligosaccharides are also disclosed.

1 - 20  (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A nutritional composition for improving at least one of gut function and immunity, the composition comprising:
 a human milk oligosaccharide component, where in the human milk oligosaccharide component includes 2′-fucosyllactose in a concentration of from about 0.01 mg/ml to about 10 and comprises no other human milk oligosaccharides.   
     
     
         22 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in addition to the 2′-fucosyllactose. 
     
     
         23 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , wherein the nutritional composition is a pediatric formula. 
     
     
         24 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula. 
     
     
         25 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , wherein the nutritional composition does not include nucleotides. 
     
     
         26 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , wherein the nutritional composition is shelf stable for 6 months to 24 months. 
     
     
         27 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , wherein the nutritional composition does not comprise a probiotic. 
     
     
         28 . The nutritional composition of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one of gut function and immunity is improved by reducing contractions in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         29 . A nutritional composition for improving feeding tolerance, the composition comprising:
 a human milk oligosaccharide component, where in the human milk oligosaccharide component includes 2′-fucosyllactose in a concentration of from about 0.01 mg/ml to about 10 and comprises no other human milk oligosaccharides.   
     
     
         30 . The nutritional composition of  claim 29 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula. 
     
     
         31 . The nutritional composition of  claim 29 , wherein the nutritional composition is shelf stable for 6 months to 24 months. 
     
     
         32 . The nutritional composition of  claim 29 , wherein the nutritional composition does not comprise a probiotic. 
     
     
         33 . The nutritional composition of  claim 29 , wherein the feeding tolerance is improved by reducing contractions in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         34 . A method of selectively promoting the growth of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of an individual in need thereof, the method comprising administering a nutritional composition comprising a human milk oligosaccharide component, where in the human milk oligosaccharide component includes 2′-fucosyllactose in a concentration of from about 0.01 mg/ml to about 10 and comprises no other human milk oligosaccharides. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises at least one of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in addition to the 2′-fucosyllactose. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the nutritional composition is shelf stable for 6 months to 24 months. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the nutritional composition does not comprise a probiotic. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising identifying an individual in need of selectively promoting the growth of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the individual is identified as a result of having symptoms of at least one of colic, feeding intolerance, and one or more gut motility disorders.