2'-fucosyllactose: benefits, dosage, contraindications

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2′-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is a sugar composed of fucose, a monosaccharide, and lactose, the main sugar in milk. Naturally present in human breast milk, 2'-FL is also industrially manufactured for infant formulas and dietary supplements.rnrn2'-FL is found in human milk at an average concentration of 2.3 g/L, representing 20 to 50% of total fucosylated oligosaccharides. It is synthesized from lactose and L-fucose by a specific enzyme, then converted into lacto-N-fucopentaose I, an oligosaccharide containing terminal fucose, by alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase and L-fucose.rnrnThe high concentration of 2'-FL in breast milk underscores its importance for infant development. Recognized for its potential health benefits, 2'-FL exhibits prebiotic, antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. It is considered "generally recognized as safe" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been approved as a novel food by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).rnrn

Other name(s) 

2'-FL, FUT2

Scientific name(s)

2'-fucosyllactose

Family or group: 

Carbohydrates


Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.
Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.
One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.
No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.


Child development
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The use of 2'-Fucosyllactose in infant nutrition is essential for the optimal development of infants. By consuming it, babies benefit from a natural prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in their gut. This can help reduce digestive problems, colic, and intestinal infections in infants. In addition, 2'-Fucosyllactose has been shown to also improve infants' immune health, thereby strengthening their resistance to infections.

Posologie

posologieOral administration

posologie1.2 g/L

formulationpowder


Digestive disorders
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It has been reported that 2'-Fucosyllactose can significantly reduce the incidence of diarrhea in breastfed infants. Furthermore, infants breastfed with milk containing 2-FL have larger populations of bifidobacteria than infants fed milk lacking 2-FL. In adults, this prebiotic helps support a healthy, balanced gut flora, which improves digestion, nutrient absorption, and strengthens the immune system.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie0.75 g

formulationpowder


Intestinal permeability
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2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) acts against intestinal permeability mainly in two ways. First, 2'-FL can inhibit the attachment of pathogens to the intestinal wall. By binding to pathogen receptors, 2'-FL prevents their adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, thereby reducing the risk of injury and inflammation. Second, 2'-FL stimulates the production of intestinal barrier-strengthening factors. Bifidobacteria, promoted by 2'-FL, can strengthen the intestinal barrier by improving the integrity of tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie0.75 g

formulationpowder


Properties


Digestive effect

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2-FL is one of the simplest fucosylated oligosaccharides, meeting all the criteria and acting as a prebiotic to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. A prebiotic is defined as a non-digestible food ingredient that has a beneficial effect on the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, thereby improving the host's health.rnrn

Usages associés

Digestive disorders, Intestinal permeability

Antimicrobial

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Several studies have shown the anti-adhesive and antimicrobial effect of fucosylated oligosaccharides. Indeed, fucosylated oligosaccharides inhibit the adhesion of Campylobacter jejuni to the H(O) blood group epitope and reduce the risk of infection. rnrn2-FL also acts as an antifungal modulator and inhibits the adhesion of Candida albicans to human oral epithelial cells. rnrnRecent studies have shown that consumption of higher concentrations of alpha-1-2 fucosylated oligosaccharides resulted in lower mortality among infants who were HIV-infected or HIV-exposed but uninfected.rnrn


Immunomodulatory

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Human milk oligosaccharides modify the infant's gut microbial environment. In vitro studies show that they directly modulate immune responses. A study of more than 400 infants shows that formulas containing 2-fucosyllactose increase the ratio of activated CD8+ T cells, reduce inflammatory cytokine production, and enhance immune development in infants.rnrn

Usages associés

Child development

Neurological

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Research in rats has shown that oral supplementation with 2'-FL promotes brain development in both young and adult rats. In the 1990s, it was discovered that 2'-FL enhances long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, a phenomenon characterized by a strengthening of synaptic efficacy following high-frequency stimulation. However, further studies are required to confirm the role of 2'-FL in improving cognitive abilities in breastfed infants.rnrn

Usages associés

Child development


Safe dosage

Infant: 1.2 g/L

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recognized 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) as safe. In the European Union, 2'-FL is classified as a novel food. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluated 2'-FL on June 29, 2015, and concluded that 2'-FL is safe for infants (up to one year of age) when added to infant formula, in combination with Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), at concentrations of up to 1.2 g/L of 2'-FL and up to 0.6 g/L of LNnT, at a 2:1 ratio in reconstituted formulas. 2'-FL is also safe for young children (older than one year) when used in young-child formula, up to 1.2 g/L of 2'-FL, alone or in combination with LNnT up to 0.6 g/L, also in a 2:1 ratio.

Adult: 0.75 g - 2.9 g

It can be used safely, without exceeding the recommended daily dose.

Pregnant woman: 0.75 g - 2.9 g

It can be used safely, without exceeding the recommended daily dose. rnrn

Breastfeeding woman: 0.75 g - 2.9 g

It can be used safely, without exceeding the recommended daily dose. rnrn

Child: 1.2 g/L

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified 2'-FL as safe. In the European Union, 2'-FL is considered a novel food. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluated 2'-FL on June 29, 2015, based on scientific and technical information and reported that: "2'-FL is safe for infants (up to one year) when added to infant formula, in combination with LNnT, at concentrations up to 1.2 g/L of 2'-FL and up to 0.6 g/L of LNnT, in a 2:1 ratio in reconstituted formula. 2'-FL is safe for young children (older than one year) when added to follow-on formulas at concentrations up to 1.2 g/L of 2'-FL (alone or together with LNnT at concentrations up to 0.6 g/L, in a 2:1 ratio)." rnrn